Zanzibar is intensifying its drive to become a premier regional investment hub, with the government announcing that more than 500 local and international stakeholders will gather in the Isles this June for the second Zanzibar Investment Festival.
The three-day summit, scheduled to take place from June 3 to June 5, 2026, at the Golden Tulip Airport Zanzibar, aims to showcase the archipelago’s untapped potential in high-growth sectors, with a particular focus on the "Blue Economy".
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar’s minister of state for labour, economy, and investment, Mr Shariff Ali Shariff, highlighted that the festival is a strategic platform designed to widen the investment base and reinforce Zanzibar’s role in Tanzania’s broader economic transformation.
“The festival provides a platform to showcase bankable projects and deepen collaboration between the government and private investors,” Minister Shariff stated. He added that the event will focus on priority areas including healthcare, aviation, industrial manufacturing, maritime transport, high-end tourism, and commercial real estate.
Building on Past Success
The 2026 edition follows a highly successful inaugural event in 2025. According to Mr Saleh Saad Mohamed, Executive Director of the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA), the previous summit directly led to the registration of projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Of the $750 million in projects identified during the first festival, approximately $430 million was registered in Pemba alone. "This represents over 55 per cent of the total value of projects recorded in 2025, demonstrating the impact of the festival in attracting capital to new and previously overlooked areas," Mr Mohamed said.
Spotlight on Connectivity and Infrastructure
A major highlight of this year’s discussions will be the proposed "Zanzibar Airlines" project. The government is currently engaging with private investors to establish a dedicated carrier that would offer direct flights to the Isles, bypassing current hubs like Dubai, Doha, or Addis Ababa.
“There is a clear demand for direct flights to improve convenience for tourists and business travellers alike,” Minister Shariff noted, suggesting that a consortium structure is being considered to bring the project to fruition.
A Unified Investment Front
The festival also underscores the growing synergy between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Mr Gilead Teri, Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), praised the improved cooperation between investment institutions on both sides of the Union. He emphasized that the focus remains on ensuring that these investments yield tangible benefits for local citizens through job creation and infrastructure development.
The event, which will be officially opened by Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi, will feature the following:
Investment Site Visits: Giving investors a first-hand look at potential locations.
B2B Meetings: Facilitating direct partnerships between local entrepreneurs and international firms.
Specialized Masterclasses: Focused on navigating the regulatory and economic landscape of the Isles.
A Diaspora Forum: Encouraging Tanzanians living abroad to reinvest in their home country.
As regional competition for capital intensifies, Zanzibar’s 2026 Investment Festival stands as a bold statement of intent, signalling that the Isles are open for business and ready to leverage their unique maritime and geographical advantages for sustainable economic growth.