(UNGUJA, ZANZIBAR) – As Zanzibar marks the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution, government leaders, experts and residents point to wide ranging economic and social changes that have reshaped the islands over more than six decades.
This year’s commemorations coincided with the launch and foundation laying of 107 development projects across Unguja and Pemba. The projects span education, health, road infrastructure, markets, commercial buildings, housing and staff accommodation. The activities began on December 22, 2025 and concluded on January 11, 2026, with senior leaders attending ceremonies to highlight the legacy and objectives of the Revolution.
Speaking at the launch of a school project in Kizimkazi, Vice President Dr Emanuel Nchimbi said unity and social cohesion were essential to sustaining the gains of the Revolution. He urged citizens, young and old, to strengthen national unity, support government efforts and work together to ensure continued progress. He said the ongoing projects reflected the aspirations of the founders of the Revolution, whose goal was to ensure better services and improved living standards for all citizens.
Dr Nchimbi said that before the Revolution, living conditions for many Zanzibaris were poor and access to education was limited and unequal. At the time, Zanzibar had only 68 schools serving about 25,000 students, with opportunities shaped by discrimination. He said the situation has changed significantly over 62 years, with the number of schools rising to about 1,200.
According to the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Zanzibar now has more than 600,000 students. At the time of the Revolution, there was no university in Zanzibar, but today the islands host five universities, reflecting expanded access to higher education.
In the investment sector, the Minister for Labour and Investment, Shariff Ali Shariff, said more than 558 investment projects have been registered, with a combined value of about 6.9 billion US dollars. These projects are expected to create around 25,000 jobs. He said the government has put in place strategies to attract both local and foreign investors, improve the business environment and position tourism as one of Africa’s leading attractions.
Experts note that tourism has become one of Zanzibar’s strongest growth sectors. Tourist arrivals rose by about 14 percent, from 568,312 in November 2023 to more than 750,000. This expansion has supported broader economic growth, with Zanzibar’s economy growing by 7.5 percent in 2024, compared with 5.1 percent in 2021.
Growth has also been recorded in fisheries and marine farming. According to Hamad Bakar Hamad, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, fish production increased by 107.2 percent, from 38,107 tonnes in 2020 to 78,943 tonnes in 2024. He said these gains reflect increased investment and policy focus on the blue economy.
Ports and maritime transport are also showing signs of expansion. Construction of the Mangapwani integrated port and the planned expansion of the Mkoani and Shumba ports are expected to strengthen marine transport and trade, further supporting economic activity across the islands.
These developments, officials say, have been driven by sustained government efforts to improve infrastructure, expand tourism and strengthen the blue economy. Residents and analysts agree that Zanzibar has undergone major social and economic transformation compared with conditions before the Revolution.
Social analyst Khamis Ameir Ali said the changes are visible across key service sectors, particularly education and health. He said historical accounts show that before the Revolution, access to services was limited and shaped by ethnic and racial discrimination, with benefits largely reserved for a small segment of society. Today, he said, progress is evident, although further deliberate efforts are still needed to address remaining challenges.
Zulima Haji Amour, a resident of Kiembesamaki in Unguja, said few people could have imagined the scale of change Zanzibar is experiencing today. She said successive governments have pursued policies aimed at realising the vision of the Revolution’s founders, leading to notable economic and social improvements.
She added that the Zanzibar of the past is very different from the present, and that someone returning after many years would struggle to recognise it. She said the changes reflect the original goal of empowering citizens and enabling them to enjoy better lives in their own country.
As part of the anniversary events, President Hussein Mwinyi granted clemency to 17 prisoners serving sentences in Zanzibar’s prisons. Of those released, 11 were from Unguja and six from Pemba.
