By Business Insider Correspondent, Pemba
The expansion and modernisation of Mkoani Port in Pemba is expected to open new frontiers for tourism, trade and wider economic activity in Zanzibar’s second-largest island, as the government steps up investment in strategic maritime infrastructure.
Speaking at the laying of the foundation stone for a new, modern passenger terminal at Mkoani Port, the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Engineer Hamad Yussuf Masauni, said Pemba possesses vast untapped tourism potential that can only be fully realised through improved transport connectivity.
Mr. Masauni described the port as a critical economic and social lifeline for Pemba, serving as a gateway for commerce, education, healthcare, tourism and social cohesion between Pemba, Unguja and mainland Tanzania.
“The Port of Mkoani is not just infrastructure; it is the backbone of daily life in Pemba. Upgrading it will unlock opportunities across multiple sectors, particularly tourism,” he said during the ceremony held on January 10, 2026, as part of activities marking the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution.
The new passenger terminal, once completed, will have the capacity to serve more than 1,500 passengers at a time and is designed to meet international port service standards.
Authorities say the project will significantly enhance safety, comfort and efficiency for travellers, while positioning Pemba to better accommodate growing passenger flows.
According to official figures, more than 90 percent of travellers to and from Pemba rely on maritime transport, underscoring the strategic importance of the port to the island’s socio-economic development.
“Maritime transport is not an alternative option; it is an essential service for our people. That is why the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has prioritised investment in modern, safe and resilient port infrastructure,” said Mr. Masauni.
The project is being implemented under an investment agreement between the Zanzibar Ports Corporation and private investors behind the Fumba Port project, reflecting a growing emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate infrastructure delivery.
Mr. Masauni said the collaboration demonstrates how private capital can complement public resources to fast-track strategic projects. “This partnership eases the fiscal burden on government, improves service quality and efficiency, and stimulates the economy through job creation, especially for young people,” he noted.
He urged port users, marine transport operators and passengers to use the new facilities responsibly and maintain high standards of discipline and integrity to ensure the infrastructure serves both current and future generations. Contractors and project supervisors were also instructed to adhere strictly to quality standards, timelines and value-for-money principles.
Zanzibar Ports Corporation Director General Akif Ali Khamis said the completion of the new terminal would go a long way in addressing long-standing challenges around reliable passenger transport between Pemba, Unguja and mainland Tanzania.
He added that improved port services are expected to reduce congestion, enhance scheduling reliability and strengthen confidence among investors in the tourism and logistics sectors.
Mkoani District Commissioner Miza Hassan Faki highlighted the port’s growing economic impact, noting a sharp rise in vessel traffic and passenger numbers. Monthly passenger throughput has increased from about 60,000 to more than 100,000, reflecting rising mobility and commercial activity.
The port has also contributed to local employment, particularly among youth in surrounding communities, while easing fuel supply constraints.
Storage capacity has expanded dramatically, from just 100,000 litres previously to about two million litres today – an improvement that supports marine transport, fisheries and small businesses.
For Pemba, long regarded as less developed than Unguja despite its rich natural and cultural assets, the upgraded Mkoani Port is increasingly seen as a catalyst for inclusive growth. Improved connectivity is expected to boost tourist arrivals, support small traders, strengthen supply chains and integrate the island more firmly into regional and national markets. As Zanzibar positions itself as a competitive Indian Ocean tourism and logistics hub, the Mkoani Port project signals a strategic bet on infrastructure-led development – one that could redefine Pemba’s economic prospects in the years ahead.
