By Business Insider Reporter
The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar have agreed to strengthen cooperation to ensure that the benefits of the Union are more effectively translated into tangible social, economic and cultural gains for citizens on both sides of the Union.
The commitment was announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026, in Zanzibar, by the Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Dr. Richard Muyungi, during an official courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Second Vice President of Zanzibar (pictured).
Dr. Muyungi said the two governments remain firmly aligned in addressing Union-related matters, with a shared objective of unlocking opportunities that reflect the vision and intentions of the Union’s founders.
“Our founders envisioned a Union that would identify areas of cooperation capable of improving the lives of citizens. The time has come for us, as public servants, to ensure that these opportunities are elevated into key policy priorities,” he said.
Near-completion of Union matters
According to Dr Muyungi, significant progress has already been made in resolving long-standing Union issues. Out of 25 identified Union matters, 22 have been resolved, leaving only three outstanding, representing what he described as a 99 per cent success rate in resolving Union-related concerns.
“What matters now is to ensure that the resolution of these issues delivers sustainable and measurable benefits to citizens in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar,” he added.
Union matters – ranging from taxation, natural resource management and higher education to airspace, oil and gas governance, and international representation – have historically been sensitive but central to the durability of the Union formed in 1964 between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Translating the Union into everyday benefits
Dr. Muyungi emphasised that both governments are now shifting focus from dispute resolution to maximising economic and social dividends arising from the Union. This includes identifying opportunities in trade, labour mobility, education, tourism, sports and cultural exchange.
He also proposed the revival of the Easter sports competitions, which in the past played a significant role in strengthening people-to-people relations between the Mainland and Zanzibar.
“These competitions were more than sporting events; they were instruments of unity and mutual understanding,” he said.
The Vice President’s Office, he added, plans to intensify public awareness campaigns to help citizens better understand Union opportunities, while encouraging experts and professionals to develop practical strategies for translating those opportunities into real economic gains.
Zanzibar welcomes closer coordination
On his part, Dr. Islam Seif Salum, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Second Vice President of Zanzibar, said the two offices have maintained close cooperation in coordinating Union affairs, a partnership he said has already delivered tangible benefits to citizens.
“We have agreed to further strengthen this collaboration through joint meetings and structured engagements between our technical teams,” Dr Islam said.
He noted that experts from both sides will convene to develop joint resolutions and propose practical measures aimed at reinforcing the Union’s institutional and economic foundations.
A broader political context
The renewed emphasis on Union cooperation comes at a time when Tanzania is pursuing long-term development frameworks, including Vision 2050, which place strong emphasis on national cohesion, economic integration and inclusive growth.
Analysts note that sustained dialogue between the two governments is critical not only for political stability but also for investor confidence, particularly in sectors such as tourism, energy, logistics and the blue economy, where Union arrangements directly affect policy coherence. As Tanzania approaches more than six decades of Union, officials say the challenge ahead is no longer merely preserving the Union, but making it work more visibly and equitably for ordinary citizens.
