MWE Correspondent
Zanzibar President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has held a series of high-level meetings with South Korean institutions and companies in Seoul, seeking investment, financing and technical expertise to accelerate the implementation of strategic development projects across the islands.
The meetings, held on October 30, 2026, focused on strengthening economic cooperation between Zanzibar and South Korea, particularly in infrastructure development, transport, energy, tourism, industrialisation and social services.
Dr. Mwinyi met representatives of K-FINCO, HEERIM, Sejong Plant, SAMOO C.M. Architects & Engineers and Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology Ltd. (SSRST), discussing potential partnerships in several priority development areas.
Key projects discussed included port development, maritime transport, road infrastructure, urban development, energy facilities, tourism infrastructure and industrial projects. The discussions also covered the proposed Binguni Referral Hospital and the Zanzibar International Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Centre.
The proposed investments are expected to support Zanzibar’s ambition to strengthen its economic infrastructure, improve public services and expand its capacity to attract international investment and tourism.
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Water infrastructure also featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides exploring opportunities for cooperation in clean and safe water supply, wastewater treatment and improved water management systems.
In the fisheries sector, discussions examined investment opportunities in cold-storage facilities to improve the preservation of fish and other marine products, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen access to international markets.
Improving fisheries infrastructure is particularly important for Zanzibar, where the blue economy remains a key pillar of economic development, supporting livelihoods, employment, food security and trade.
Meanwhile, Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology Ltd. expressed interest in cooperating with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar on plans to restore passenger and tourism railway services on the islands.
The proposed railway initiative could create new opportunities for tourism mobility, improve transport connectivity and support the development of urban and commercial areas, subject to further technical and financial assessments.
Dr. Mwinyi emphasised the importance of maintaining technical discussions with the South Korean companies and institutions to establish clear implementation strategies, financing arrangements and appropriate cooperation frameworks for the proposed projects.
He also stressed that any partnerships would have to follow government procedures and requirements to ensure that investments contribute effectively to Zanzibar’s long-term development priorities.
The engagements form part of Zanzibar’s broader efforts to attract international investors, diversify economic partnerships and mobilise financial and technological resources for major infrastructure projects.
South Korea’s experience in transport technology, engineering, urban planning, industrial development and infrastructure financing presents potential areas for cooperation as Zanzibar seeks to modernise its economy and strengthen its position as an investment and tourism destination in the Indian Ocean region.
