Objectives:
- Build a Smart Digital Infrastructure: Develop a secure and scalable ICT backbone to support e-governance, digital payments, and smart services.
- Empower Local Innovation: Establish Digital Innovation Hubs to incubate startups, especially in tourism, fishing, agriculture, and artisan industries.
- Boost Digital Literacy: Deliver training programs for youth, women, and small businesses on digital tools, financial literacy, and e-commerce.
- Modernize Government Services: Implement an integrated digital governance system for health, education, identity, land, and tax.
- Promote Zanzibar as a Digital Nomad & Tech Destination: Create a business-friendly tech ecosystem and global branding campaign.
Key Components:
Smart Infrastructure Deployment
- Expansion of fiber-optic connectivity across the islands.
- Community Wi-Fi zones in rural and urban centers.
- Smart energy and IoT infrastructure pilots.
Zanzibar Innovation & Tech Hubs
- Establish 3 regional innovation hubs (Unguja, Pemba, and Urban West)
- Co-working spaces, mentorship programs, and seed funding for startups.
e-Government Ecosystem
- Integrated e-ID, e-health, e-land registry, and e-tax platforms.
- Mobile-first citizen service applications.
Digital Skills Academy
- Targeting youth (18–35), women entrepreneurs, and civil servants.
- Courses in coding, digital marketing, data analytics, and blockchain.
Smart Tourism and Heritage Digitization
- Virtual Zanzibar platform showcasing 3D cultural heritage and tourism portals.
- Digital guides and augmented reality experiences for tourists.
Target Beneficiaries:
- 1.5 million Zanzibari citizens.
- Over 500 MSMEs and 100 startups.
- Government institutions and civil servants.
- Tourists and digital nomads.
Project Duration
36 months (3 years)
Expected Outcomes:
- 80% internet penetration across Zanzibar.
- 5,000+ trained individuals in digital skills.
- 100+ government services fully digitized.
- 150 startups launched or scaled.
- 30% increase in tech-based employment.
Budget Estimate:
| Component | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Smart Infrastructure Development | $5,000,000 |
| Innovation Hubs (3 Hubs) | $2,500,000 |
| e-Government Systems & Platforms | $3,000,000 |
| Digital Skills Academy & Training | $1,200,000 |
| Tourism & Cultural Digitization | $800,000 |
| Project Management & Monitoring | $500,000 |
| Branding, Marketing & Outreach | $500,000 |
| Contingency (10%) | $1,350,000 |
| Total Estimated Budget | $14,850,000 |
Implementation Partners:
- Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
- Local universities and TVETs.
- International development agencies (e.g., World Bank, UNDP)
- Private sector partners (telecom, fintech, tourism)
- Diaspora and global tech experts.
Sustainability & Impact Strategy:
- Revenue from e-government services and startup equity
- Public-private partnerships for hub management.
- Continuous capacity building.
- Green tech integration for energy and environment.