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A high-level academic delegation from China has visited Zanzibar, seeking to forge new partnerships in research, innovation, and capacity building aligned with the island’s key development sectors.
The initiative is seen as part of China’s growing academic and scientific diplomacy across the Global South.
The team, led by Professor Li Xiaoyun of China Agricultural University, included professors and senior researchers from various institutions. Their visit focused on aligning areas of academic expertise with Zanzibar‘s long-term social and economic development goals.
They held productive talks with top officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, both located in Maruhubi—a historic area just north of Stone Town.
“We are here to listen, to learn, and to share knowledge that can support institutional development, especially in areas like agriculture, public administration, and trade policy,” said Prof. Li during one of the meetings.
The visit comes at a time when Zanzibar is aiming to strengthen its Vision 2050 strategy, which includes goals for sustainable agriculture, industrial growth, and improved public service delivery.
Chinese universities, known for their rapid rise in global rankings, are offering Zanzibar valuable expertise in technology transfer, policy design, and data-driven research. The visiting team highlighted areas such as smart agriculture, climate resilience, value addition, and market systems development as priority fields for joint research.
The delegation also explored how to support capacity building in Zanzibar’s public sector, by providing short-term training and long-term academic exchanges.
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This visit builds on long-standing China–Tanzania relations, which have historically included infrastructure support, cultural exchanges, and educational partnerships. In recent years, academic diplomacy has become a critical tool for both countries to share development knowledge and foster mutual understanding.
Zanzibar already collaborates with several Chinese institutions through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global strategy that also supports South–South cooperation—the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge between developing countries.
Discussions are now underway to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will guide cooperation in the following areas:
- Joint research projects in food systems, trade, and climate adaptation
- Technical training for government departments and local researchers
- Exchange programs for students and faculty members
- Collaborative knowledge production including reports, journals, and public policy briefs
If signed, the agreement could become a blueprint for similar partnerships across East Africa.
For the people of Zanzibar, especially youth and emerging professionals, such partnerships offer a pathway to academic excellence and economic opportunity. Access to global research networks and mentorship from top scholars could play a pivotal role in reshaping local development.
This initiative also reflects Zanzibar’s commitment to move from aid-dependency toward innovation-led growth, where international partnerships are based on shared goals rather than just funding.
