Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Zanzibar’s Special Economic Zone
Driving Economic Growth & Sustainable Development
Pemba
Strategic Location
Pemba's position provides ideal access to East African markets and international trade routes.
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Government Incentives
Benefit from supportive policies and attractive government-backed incentives for investors.
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Growth Potential
Tap into Pemba's untapped markets with high ROI potential across multiple growing sectors.
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Networking
Connect with key decision-makers, government officials, and potential business partners.
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About the Summit
Zanzibar Investment Summit - Pemba 2025
The Zanzibar Investment Summit 2025 is a premier event aimed at unlocking Pemba's economic potential and positioning it as a gateway to East Africa. This summit brings together global investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore high-value investment opportunities across strategic sectors. With 458 approved investment projects since November 2020 totaling $6.08 billion, Zanzibar is undergoing rapid economic transformation, but Pemba remains an untapped investment hub.
Venue
Micheweni Special Economic Zone
Pemba.
Dates
May 7-10, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Days left
Special Guest
Guest of Honor
The launching ceremony will be graced by His Excellency Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
Officials
Government Officials
Representatives from Government Ministries.
Investment Opportunities
Key Investment Sectors
Explore high-value investment opportunities across strategic sectors in Micheweni Special Economic Zone
Tourism & Hospitality
- • Eco-tourism and luxury resorts
- • Cultural and historical tourism sites
- • Conference and event tourism infrastructure
Agriculture & Agribusiness
- • Organic farming, agro-processing, and export
- • Spice farming and value addition
- • Modern irrigation systems and mechanized farming
Blue Economy & Fisheries
- • Sustainable fishing and aquaculture
- • Seaweed farming and processing plants
- • Marine tourism and water sports industries
Infrastructure & Real Estate
- • Modern business parks, hotels, and residential housing
- • Commercial and industrial zones
- • Transportation and logistics hubs
Renewable Energy
- • Solar, wind, and hydropower projects
- • Green energy solutions for businesses and households
- • Energy-efficient infrastructure
Digital Economy
- • Technology hubs and innovation centers
- • Digital infrastructure development
- • E-commerce and fintech solutions
Event Schedule
Zanzibar Investment Summit Schedule
Walkathon & Exhibitions (May 7, 2025)
Day 1 kicks off with an energetic walkathon followed by the opening of exhibitions featuring local and international businesses, alongside CSR programs.
Morning: Walkathon & Exhibition Opening
- • All Day: Exhibition Set-Up - Organizing Committee and Exhibitors prepare booths
- • Morning: 5km Walkathon at Pemba Special Economic Zone - Investors, government leaders, business stakeholders, and local community
- • 10:00 AM: Walkathon Completion - Exhibition area opens as walkathon concludes
- • 10:30 AM: Exhibition Officially Opens - Featuring local enterprises, international companies, and government agencies
Afternoon: Networking & CSR Programs
- • 12:00 PM: Networking Lunch - Dedicated opportunity for exhibitors and attendees to connect
- • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: CSR Programs - Community engagement activities led by participating companies
- • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Exhibition continues with booth presentations and interactive demonstrations
- • 4:00 PM: Exhibition Closes for Day 1 - Proper organization for Day 2
Exhibition Highlights
Showcasing opportunities across sectors including tourism, blue economy, agriculture, real estate, and infrastructure development. The exhibition serves as a platform for initial connections that will develop throughout the summit.
Exhibitions & Summit (May 8, 2025)
Day 2 combines continued exhibitions with the official summit opening, featuring high-level panel discussions and the launch of strategic plans.
Morning: Exhibition & Summit Opening
- • 8:00 AM: Exhibition Set-Up for Day 2 - Booths prepared for continued showcasing
- • 9:00 AM: Exhibition Opens - Running simultaneously with summit events
- • 9:00 AM: Summit Registration Opens - Delegates arrive and register
- • 9:30 AM: Official Opening & Welcome Remarks - ZIPA and government representatives
- • 10:00 AM: Launch of ZIPA Strategic Plan & Investment Magazine - Key development frameworks unveiled
- • 11:00 AM: High-Level Panel Discussion - "Strategic Sectors for Development in Pemba"
Afternoon: Specialized Sessions & Exhibition Closing
- • 12:00 PM: Networking Lunch - Exhibitors and summit attendees connect
- • 2:00 PM: Breakout Sessions on Key Sectors:
- - Blue Economy & Sustainable Fishing
- - Tourism Infrastructure Development
- - Agriculture & Food Processing
- • 4:00 PM: Exhibition Closing Ceremony - Formal conclusion of the exhibition component
Evening: Networking Gala
Formal networking dinner with cultural performances, providing opportunities for relationship building among investors, government officials, and business leaders as they prepare for the upcoming site visits.
Cruise Day in Zanzibar (May 9, 2025)
Day 3 takes participants on an exploration of Zanzibar's key attractions and investment opportunities through guided site visits and a special cruise experience.
Morning: Investment Forum & Site Preparation
- • 8:30 AM: Guest Arrival & Registration - Event Coordination Team welcomes participants
- • 9:00 AM: Opening Remarks & Introduction - Event Host/ZIPA provides context for the day
- • 9:15 AM: Speech by the Investment Minister - Setting expectations for site visits
- • 9:30 AM: Overview of Investment Zones - Presentation of locations to be visited
- • 10:15 AM: Speech by the Guest of Honor – President of Zanzibar
- • 10:30 AM: Panel Discussion: "Pemba as the Gateway to East African Investment"
Afternoon: Cruise and Site Visits
- • 11:45 AM: Panel Discussion: "Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Zanzibar's Blue Economy"
- • 12:45 PM: Lunch Break - Catering & Hospitality Team provides refreshments
- • 1:45 PM: Panel Discussion: "Infrastructure Development as a Catalyst for Investment in Pemba"
- • 3:00 PM: Government-Investor Networking Session - Direct connections with key officials
- • 4:00 PM: Closing Remarks for Forum Portion & Transition to Cruise
Cruise Experience
The cruise will showcase Pemba's coastline and potential tourism and blue economy development sites, with experts available to discuss specific investment opportunities in various locations. The cruise concludes with a networking sunset dinner.
Investors Gala Dinner (May 10, 2025)
The summit concludes with a prestigious State Investors Dinner in Unguja, hosted by the President of Zanzibar, celebrating achievements and formalizing investment commitments.
Morning: Travel to Unguja
- • Morning: Transfer from Pemba to Unguja - Coordinated transport for all delegates
- • 11:00 AM: Arrival and Check-in - Delegates settle at designated venues
- • 12:30 PM: Lunch at leisure - Free time to explore Unguja or prepare for evening
Evening: State Investors Dinner
- • 6:00 PM: Arrival & Welcome Reception - Red carpet welcome for distinguished guests
- • 7:00 PM: Formal Dinner Commences - Presidential address and keynote speeches
- • 8:30 PM: Investment Agreement Signing Ceremony - Formalization of commitments made during the summit
- • 9:00 PM: Cultural Performance & Entertainment - Showcasing Zanzibar's rich heritage
- • 10:00 PM: Networking & Conclusion - Final opportunity for high-level connections
Key Focus Areas
- • Driving Investment – Strengthening Zanzibar's investment ecosystem
- • Championing Investor Care – Recognizing contributions and fostering investor confidence
- • Positioning Zanzibar as a Prime Investment Hub – Showcasing Zanzibar's strategic advantages for global investment
About Pemba
Pemba Island, Zanzibar
Pemba Island, known as "The Green Island" due to its lush vegetation, is the perfect setting for this investment summit. With its untapped potential and scenic beauty, Pemba offers investors a firsthand look at the opportunities available in this pristine environment.
Highlights
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Strategic location in the Indian Ocean
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Rich in natural resources and biodiversity
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Fertile lands ideal for agriculture
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Pristine beaches and marine ecosystems
Summit Facilities
The summit will be held at premium venues across Pemba, featuring modern conference facilities, exhibition spaces, and networking areas, all with the backdrop of Pemba's natural beauty.
Frequently Asked questions
Common Questions
about the Summit
Quick answers to common questions about the
Zanzibar Investment Summit - Pemba 2025.
Despite significant growth in Unguja, Pemba remains relatively underdeveloped with vast untapped potential. The island offers strategic location advantages, abundant natural resources, fertile land for agriculture, and pristine environments ideal for eco-tourism and sustainable development.
Zanzibar offers competitive investment incentives including tax holidays, import duty exemptions, repatriation of profits, protection against nationalization, access to preferential markets, and special economic zones with additional benefits. Specific sector-based incentives will be detailed during the summit.
You can register through this website by completing the registration form. Early registration is encouraged as spaces are limited. Different registration packages are available for investors, government delegates, and industry representatives.
The summit focuses on six key sectors: Tourism & Hospitality, Agriculture & Agribusiness, Blue Economy & Fisheries, Infrastructure & Real Estate, Renewable Energy, and Digital Economy. Each sector offers unique investment opportunities tailored to Pemba's competitive advantages.
Yes, the summit includes structured business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) matching sessions designed to facilitate direct connections between investors, local businesses, and government officials. These sessions can be pre-arranged through the summit platform.
Summit Documents
Access key resources about the Zanzibar Investment Summit and investment opportunities in Pemba
Summit Notes
Comprehensive notes and key takeaways from previous Zanzibar Investment Summit
Download PDFSponsorship Kit
Information for potential sponsors including packages, benefits and brand visibility opportunities
Download PDFMicheweni Plan
Proposed industrial development plan for the Micheweni region with investment opportunities
Download PDFFree Zone Master Plan
ZIPA's comprehensive master plan for Free Zone development with infrastructure details
Download PDFPartners
& Sponsors
Join leading organizations supporting Pemba's economic transformation through strategic investment.
Become a sponsor
