Zanzibar, an archipelago off the east coast of Tanzania, is well known for its pristine beaches and rich cultural heritage. However, Zanzibar has been striving towards a new identity: an innovation and technology hub. The Zanzibar government, primarily through the Zanzibar ICT Infrastructure Agency, is leading this charge with many notable initiatives.
If government officials, developers, and a global team of experts get their way, the islands of 1.9m inhabitants could soon be known for something else: pulling in startups and skilled foreign workers as an African tech hub. According to those behind the project, the ambitious plan has been dubbed “Silicon Zanzibar,” and dozens of companies have already made severe inquiries about establishing a presence there.
At its heart will be Fumba Town, a futuristic city stretching 1.5km along the coast of Unguja, Zanzibar’s largest island, and containing 5,000 residential units. Among its buildings will be a timber skyscraper called the “Burj Zanzibar,” the world’s tallest eco building at 28 floors that its builders say will offer a blueprint for eco-friendly construction for Africa and the world.
Realizing that a reliable digital infrastructure is the bedrock of an innovation hub, the Zanzibar ICT Infrastructure Agency has made significant strides in this direction. This includes laying submarine cables to increase internet connectivity and speed, improving mobile network coverage across the islands, and investing in ICT hardware and software. Zanzibar has created an enabling environment for ICT innovation and digital entrepreneurship.
This includes developing the Zanzibar Information Communication Technology (ICT) Policy, which aims to create a conducive environment for the private sector to invest in ICT, promote digital literacy, and foster a culture of innovation and creativity in ICT.
Recognizing that a skilled workforce is essential to drive innovation, ZICTIA, in collaboration with other agencies, has rolled out programs to enhance digital literacy and ICT skills. Initiatives such as coding boot camps, digital skills workshops, and training programs are helping equip Zanzibar’s youth with the skills needed in the digital economy.
Meanwhile, Wasoko, a fast-growing African e-commerce company, is launching an innovation hub to draw hundreds of engineers, designers, and product managers from Africa and worldwide. Proponents say the project will reduce Zanzibar’s dependence on the volatile tourism sector, which was hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic, and chart a new future for the island, where poverty levels remain high and education outcomes low.
But whether Silicon Zanzibar can challenge the dominance of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, as a technology hub for the region – and how quickly – is very much an open question. Wasoko, which the Financial Times declared Africa’s fastest-growing startup last year, has been involved from the start. Early last year, the company was on the hunt for a new pan-African technology hub. Within months, chief executive Daniel Yu, who was also looking at Kigali, Nairobi, and Dubai, had sold Zanzibar’s government on the plan.
“As a pan-African tech company, Wasoko has been looking for a location where we can bring together the best talent from across the continent and beyond to innovate and develop new products and services for our customers. While we considered more traditional centers such as Dubai and London, we were ultimately committed to the belief that technology for Africa should be built in Africa,” Yu said at the hub’s launch.
Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
ZICTIA fosters a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship by establishing innovation hubs, incubators, and accelerators. These provide a platform for startups to access resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. An example is the “Zanzibar Innovation Hub,” a space designed to inspire and support innovators to develop and implement their ideas.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are crucial in Zanzibar’s bid to become an innovation hub. By encouraging private sector participation, ZICTIA hopes to leverage personal sector expertise, technology, and capital to drive the growth of the ICT sector.
While these efforts represent significant progress, becoming an innovation hub is a complex and multifaceted challenge. It requires infrastructure and a vibrant ecosystem of startups, investors, and supportive policies. Moreover, issues such as digital inclusion, cyber-security, and data protection must be adequately addressed.
The transformation of Zanzibar into an innovation and technology hub holds considerable potential for its economy. Traditionally, Zanzibar’s economy has heavily relied on tourism and spice farming. Developing the ICT sector provides an opportunity for economic diversification, thereby reducing reliance on a few industries and creating a more resilient economy.
By becoming an innovation hub, Zanzibar can attract FDI from multinational companies seeking to establish tech centers or outsource tech-related services. This FDI can stimulate economic growth, bring in advanced technologies, and create jobs. A robust ICT sector can enhance Zanzibar’s global competitiveness by facilitating trade and enabling businesses to participate in the global digital economy. This can open up new export markets for Zanzibar’s goods and services.
In summary, while the transition to becoming an innovation hub is a complex process requiring sustained effort, the potential benefits for Zanzibar’s economy are substantial. The ICT sector, if developed strategically and inclusively, can be a significant driver of Zanzibar’s economic growth and development in the future.
However, Zanzibar’s efforts thus far indicate a clear commitment to this vision. With sustained efforts, the archipelago could be on its way to becoming a tourism hotspot and a vibrant center for digital innovation and entrepreneurship in East Africa.