Zanzibar, 14 February 2026 (ECA) - The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, through the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, has launched a four-day technical workshop aimed at assessing the Total Economic Impact of tourism on Zanzibar’s economy.
Held from 16 to 19 February 2026, the initiative brings a high-level coalition of stakeholders together to analyze tourism’s role in Zanzibar’s economic transformation. Participants include the Planning Commission of Zanzibar, the Office of the Chief Government Statistician, the Zanzibar Revenues Authority, Zanzibar Insurance Company, the Bank of Tanzania – Zanzibar Branch, the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority, the Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors, various private sector associations representing hotels, tour operators, and investors, the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism as well as members affiliated with economic research and academia.
Together, participants will undertake a comprehensive analysis of tourism’s role in Zanzibar’s economic transformation.
Strengthening Zanzibar’s Tourism Policy Framework
Tourism remains one of Zanzibar’s most critical economic pillars, contributing significantly to gross domestic product (GDP), employment, foreign exchange earnings, and investment flows.
Building on the 2019 Tourism Satellite Account, ECA is supporting the Government of Zanzibar to move beyond measuring direct impacts and to capture the full economy-wide effects of tourism. The workshop utilizes advanced econometric modeling—including Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) and Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) analysis—to provide an evidence-based picture of how tourism affects households, supply chains, and government revenue.
The Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, Mr. Aboud Suleiman Jumbe stressed the need to address existing data limitations and to ensure that tourism statistics accurately reflect the sector’s rapid evolution. He welcomed ECA’s recommendation to establish a Standing TSA Committee to institutionalize coordination between the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, the Office of the Chief Government Statistician and the private sector, ensuring data keeps pace with the industry's rapid post-COVID growth. Mr Jumbe added that robust modeling is vital to "reduce leakages and ensure tourism benefits all Zanzibaris."
Mr. Geoffrey Manyara, ECA Economic Affairs Officer, noted that Zanzibar is taking a significant step in modernizing its analytics. “Moving from direct impact measurement to full economy-wide analysis will equip decision-makers with stronger evidence to guide investment, employment, and revenue policies,” he stated.
By the workshop’s conclusion, stakeholders expect to deliver initial simulation results, policy briefs on revenue optimization, and a roadmap for regular, institutionalized impact assessments.
For Media Enquiries
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Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, Zanzibar: info@utaliismz.go.tz
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ECA Communication Office, Eastern Africa: habimanad@un.org
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org