ZNZist Weekly — 30 August 2026

Alia: Welcome to ZNZist Weekly, the Zanzibar News Digest. I'm Alia. Badru: And I'm Badru. Welcome to our roundup of reporting from Unguja, Pemba, and the mainland this week. Alia: We've got a packed lineup, from health policy to political upheaval in Dodoma, some marine science, and a lighter story to send us off. Let's start with public health. Badru, what's happening on neglected tropical diseases? Badru: So according to Eastleigh Voice, Zanzibar's Ministry of Health has set up its first high-level advisory committee dedicated to eliminating neglected tropical diseases, or NTDs. This comes with support from a China-aided project focused on preventing and controlling schistosomiasis. Alia: Schistosomiasis, that's the parasitic disease spread through contaminated water, right? It's one of those diseases that quietly affects a lot of communities but doesn't always get the same attention as something like malaria. Badru: Exactly. And that's really the point of this committee, according to the ministry. It's meant to give independent expert advice, strategic guidance, and technical oversight to help speed up efforts to control and eventually stop the spread of priority NTDs across both islands. Alia: Who actually sits on this committee? Badru: The ministry says it brings together officials not just from health but from water, education, and agriculture as well, plus experts from China, the World Health Organisation, and other international partners. A public health expert from the thirty fifth Chinese medical team in Zanzibar also helped get it off the ground. Alia: That cross-sector mix makes sense, doesn't it? Diseases like schistosomiasis are so tied to water access and sanitation, so you'd need people beyond just the health ministry in the room. Badru: Right, and the ministry's stated goal is to strengthen coordination among government institutions and development partners, build on progress already made, and support Zanzibar's broader ambition of eliminating these diseases through stronger technical cooperation. Alia: It's early days, this is just the committee being established, so we'll be watching for what concrete steps follow. Badru: Definitely worth tracking as the year goes on. Alia: Next, let's talk money and agriculture. Badru, there's a new financing partnership for Zanzibar's farmers. Badru: Yes, this is reported by Jamhuri Media. Tanzania's Agricultural Development Bank, known as TADB, and Zanzibar's Wakala wa Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi, or ZEEA, have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at increasing access to financing for farmers and entrepreneurs in Zanzibar. Alia: So this is about connecting capital with agriculture, from production right through to processing and markets. Badru: That's the idea. The agreement was signed at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Mbweni. Zanzibar's Minister for Youth, Employment and Empowerment, Shaaban Ali Othman, praised the partnership, saying it should help boost youth employment, entrepreneurship, food security and economic empowerment for citizens. Alia: What kind of projects are we talking about specifically? Badru: According to Jamhuri Media, the two institutions plan to develop what they call integrated value chain financing projects in areas like horticulture, poultry, livestock, spices, rice, sugarcane, and the blue economy. They also want to introduce somewhere between three and five new agricultural loan products, with TADB helping build ZEEA's capacity in credit assessment, value chain analysis, risk management and loan recovery. Alia: And who's meant to benefit most? Badru: The report says smallholder farmers, women, youth, and small and medium enterprises are being prioritised. Alia: Were there any figures on what TADB has already put into Zanzibar? Badru: TADB's chief executive Frank Nyabundege said the bank has so far disbursed loans worth about fifteen point eight seven billion shillings across fifty seven projects in Zanzibar. He also said that in 2026 alone, TADB approved fifteen billion shillings for the clove sector and another five billion shillings channelled through financial institutions to support lending in agriculture, including livestock and fisheries. Alia: He framed this as building on existing momentum rather than starting from zero, if I understood the report correctly. Badru: That's right. ZEEA's chief executive Juma Burhan Mohamed said the partnership should help citizens produce, grow businesses, access capital and markets, and increase incomes. Separately, ZEEA also signed an agreement with the Business and Property Registration Agency, aimed at making business formalisation and registration easier for entrepreneurs. Alia: A lot of institutional plumbing here, but if it translates into more loans reaching small farmers, that could be meaningful for households across the islands. Badru: The implementation will be overseen by a joint coordination committee meeting at least twice a year, so there should be some way to track progress. Alia: Now to major political news from the mainland. Tanzania has a new Vice President. Badru: Yes, according to Nukta Africa and Global Publishers, Deogratius Ndejembi was sworn in as Vice President on August twenty ninth at Chamwino State House in Dodoma, after being approved unanimously by Parliament the day before. Alia: Ndejembi had been serving as Energy Minister for about nine months before this. What did President Samia Suluhu Hassan say at the ceremony? Badru: Nukta Africa reported that President Samia told Ndejembi that Tanzanians expect him to serve the nation with obedience, honesty, patriotism, wisdom and the experience he carries, putting the country's interests first. Alia: And how did Ndejembi respond? Badru: Global Publishers reported that Ndejembi thanked President Samia for the trust placed in him and pledged to work with integrity and diligence to serve all Tanzanians without discrimination, aiming to help speed up the country's development. He also said he intends to keep representing the country's youth. Alia: Nukta Africa's report also laid out some of what analysts see as the big challenges now waiting for him. What stood out? Badru: One is overseeing implementation of the National Development Vision 2050, which aims for Tanzania to reach a one trillion dollar economy. Economic analyst Paul Chengula, quoted by Nukta Africa, noted that Ndejembi faces economic pressure linked to the conflict in the Middle East, which has been pushing up fuel and commodity prices. Chengula said Ndejembi's main task will be advising the President on how best to implement that vision and other development plans. Alia: What about the union between Zanzibar and the mainland? That's always a sensitive topic. Badru: Political analyst Efron Mkungilwa told Nukta Africa that overseeing union affairs falls within the Vice President's office, and that Ndejembi will need to manage discussions that touch on the country's unity so that the union endures. Alia: There was also a mention of the ongoing debate over a new constitution. Badru: Right, analyst Baltazar Komba noted that despite pressure from veteran politicians and opposition activists for a new constitution, government still has to manage implementation of the existing one while it evaluates those demands. Komba also suggested Ndejembi's relative youth and experience could help him relate to young Tanzanians, including Gen Z, and understand their expectations. Alia: Worth remembering this appointment came after a vacancy that opened up just two days earlier. Badru: Yes, we'll get into exactly how that vacancy arose in our next story. Alia: So let's rewind to how Tanzania ended up needing a new Vice President in the first place. Badru: This is a fast-moving story from BBC Swahili and The Citizen. Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, who had been Vice President, submitted a resignation letter to President Samia on August twenty fifth, saying he would leave the post effective September fourth. Alia: Why did he say he was stepping down? Badru: According to BBC, Nchimbi said the decision related to a promise he made to President Samia a year earlier, when he agreed to be her running mate. He said he'd promised that if the President ever felt she needed a different Vice President, he would step aside, and he said he'd become convinced she wanted change, so he was honouring that pledge. President Samia accepted the resignation. Alia: But then things moved even faster than that September fourth date suggested. Badru: Exactly. The ruling party, CCM, expelled Nchimbi from membership on August twenty sixth, just a day after his resignation announcement. CCM's Secretary General, Ambassador Asha-Rose Migiro, said the Central Committee and National Executive Committee decided unanimously to expel him over what she described as ethical violations, though CCM did not detail what those violations were, according to BBC. Alia: That expulsion actually changed the legal timeline, didn't it? Badru: It did. The Citizen reported that Attorney General Hamza Johari told Parliament that although Nchimbi's resignation was only due to take effect on September fourth under Article one forty nine of the constitution, he had already lost a constitutional qualification for the office once CCM expelled him on August twenty sixth. Alia: What's that qualification exactly? Badru: Johari pointed to Article forty seven, which requires anyone holding the office of Vice President to be, among other things, a member and candidate of a political party. Once Nchimbi lost his CCM membership, Johari argued, he no longer met that requirement, so the office effectively became vacant from that date under Article fifty two, which lists circumstances ending the vice presidency. Alia: Did he give a precedent for this kind of interpretation? Badru: He cited the twenty twenty one appointment of Philip Mpango as Vice President, when President Samia's nomination was presented to Parliament for approval before he was sworn in, saying that process was meant to give democratic legitimacy to someone who hadn't been directly elected. Johari also endorsed Ndejembi's nomination, calling him capable, disciplined and compassionate, and said there was no constitutional obstacle to Parliament's approval. Alia: So legally, Nchimbi's exit from office actually happened nine days earlier than his own resignation letter said. Badru: That's the government's position, yes, and Johari maintained there's no constitutional challenge to how it was handled. Alia: Let's shift to the environment now, and plastics management in Zanzibar. Badru: This comes from IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They report that stakeholders across government, business and civil society in Zanzibar are building a more coordinated approach to managing plastic waste through something called the IslandPlas project. Alia: What's actually new here? Badru: IUCN describes a shift from fragmented efforts toward more coordinated action, informed policy and practical solutions suited to Zanzibar's island context. It's funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation and implemented by IUCN across Unguja and Pemba. Alia: Why does this matter for an island like Zanzibar specifically? Badru: IUCN points to limited land, coastal dependence, and the way plastic waste moves through both land and marine environments, which makes plastics management both an environmental and economic priority there. Alia: What did the training itself involve? Badru: There was a two-day training held in Unguja on August nineteenth and twentieth, covering plastic polymers, hazardous additives, what's recyclable versus not, and the principles of what's called Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, which is essentially the idea that producers and importers should share responsibility for the plastics they put into the market, alongside consumers, municipalities and regulators. Alia: Is this just a one-off workshop, or part of something longer term? Badru: IUCN frames it as part of a longer process. They mention using assessments before and after the training to track how participants' understanding changes, and say the goal is to build institutional capacity and cross-sector relationships that continue after the project itself ends. Alia: So the near-term outcome isn't a finished policy, but more shared understanding and stronger coordination among the people who'll eventually need to build an EPR system. Badru: That's how IUCN characterises it, yes. Whether that translates into an actual functioning system will depend on follow-through beyond this training. Alia: Sticking with the ocean, there's also a new marine research partnership between Zanzibar and China. Badru: Reported by Daily News, Zanzibar and China have launched a joint technical initiative to strengthen marine research and data collection, aimed at protecting coastal ecosystems and supporting the blue economy. Alia: What kicked this off? Badru: A fourteen day training programme for marine specialists. Deputy Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Mboja Ramadhan Mshenga, opened it, saying reliable data is essential for preventing overexploitation and guiding sustainable ocean management. She described scientific research as providing direction for the proper use of the ocean. Alia: Is this addressing a specific gap? Badru: Daily News notes that Zanzibar has prioritised the blue economy, including fisheries, aquaculture and coastal tourism, as a key driver of growth, but limited technical capacity has constrained effective monitoring of marine resources and ocean conditions. Alia: What's China's role here? Badru: Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Li Qianghua, said the initiative would transfer modern data collection techniques to local experts, to help Zanzibar balance conservation with economic development. The training itself is being conducted by experts from China. Alia: And from the Zanzibari side? Badru: Dr Zakaria Ali Khamis, Director General of the Fisheries and Marine Resources Research Institute, said the programme should equip participants with skills to improve how marine resources are used and managed, stressing that stronger scientific knowledge is vital for both maximising benefits and ensuring sustainability. Alia: So reports on two training initiatives, both pointing toward the same underlying issue, Zanzibar needs stronger technical capacity to manage its marine and waste systems as tourism and the blue economy keep growing. Badru: That thread runs through both stories, yes. Alia: Now let's talk tourism glamour. Zanzibar hosted a major awards night this week. Badru: According to Breaking Travel News and a WebWire release, the World Travel Awards Africa Gala Ceremony 2026 was held at Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar, the island's new flagship luxury resort, which opened in January 2026 on the south east coast. Alia: Who won what? Badru: Zanzibar itself picked up the titles of Africa's Leading Beach Destination and Africa's Leading Festival and Event Destination. Tanzania more broadly won Africa's Leading Destination and Africa's Leading Tourist Board. Serengeti National Park was named Africa's Leading National Park and Africa's Leading Big Five National Park, while Kilimanjaro National Park took Africa's Leading Mountain National Park. Alia: And the venue itself got recognition too? Badru: Diamonds Bijoux Zanzibar was named Africa's Leading New Resort and Zanzibar's Leading Villa Resort. Elsewhere, Julius Nyerere International Airport was named Africa's Leading Airport, and the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism won Africa's Leading Regional Tourist Board. Alia: What did organisers and officials say about hosting it? Badru: World Travel Awards founder Graham Cooke called it a privilege to celebrate in Zanzibar, describing the resort as reflecting the island's elegance and warmth. Zanzibar's President, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, said the occasion reflects the growing stature of Zanzibar as one of Africa's leading tourism destinations, pointing to its beaches, cultural heritage, history and hospitality. Alia: Why does an awards ceremony like this actually matter beyond the red carpet? Badru: It's essentially international marketing and industry recognition rolled into one event. Breaking Travel News notes this was the opening leg of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2026, a global series of ceremonies that will also visit the Maldives, Jamaica, Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates, before culminating in a Grand Final in Tanzania later this year. Alia: So Tanzania and Zanzibar get the spotlight twice in this year's tour, both as opening host and as the Grand Final location. Badru: That's right, which for the tourism sector could mean sustained visibility on the global stage through the rest of the year. Alia: Let's end on something a little different this week, wearable art. Badru: The Citizen profiled artist Shiko Onyango, who designs jewellery and body ornaments in Zanzibar under her brand, Tribal Trend by Shiko Onyango. Alia: What makes her work distinctive? Badru: Her craft is rooted in the Maasai tradition of hand beading, threading each bead into intricate geometric patterns for bracelets, earrings, headgear and other pieces. The Citizen reports her designs have been worn by international figures including Janet Jackson, Angelique Kidjo and Yemi Alade. Alia: And she doesn't limit herself to beads alone. Badru: No, she also repurposes animal bones, waste leather, cowrie shells, aluminium and sisal into her pieces. She told The Citizen she's trying to bring pre colonial African wearable art traditions back into the modern world. Alia: How does this connect to tourism specifically? Badru: The Citizen frames it as part of Zanzibar's diversification beyond beaches, spices and reefs. Shiko has shown work at the Zanzibar International Fashion Festival, and her pieces have become items tourists carry home as mementos, generating conversation and, through social media, informal promotion for the island as a destination. Alia: She also had some strong words about perceptions of African design versus European fashion. Badru: She pushed back on the idea that African design is somehow less refined, telling The Citizen that Africa is the source of much global creative inspiration, and that unlike mass produced European pieces, her work is handmade so no two pieces are ever identical. Alia: She's based her shop in Stone Town's Shangani area now, and is looking to work with other Zanzibari artists to link the creative industry more closely with cultural tourism. Badru: The Citizen notes she wants visitors to see Zanzibar's culture and heritage as living things, sustained through art, not just something to observe from a beach chair. Alia: A fitting reminder that the islands' story is told in more than one way. That's our show for this week. Badru: Thanks for listening to ZNZist Weekly, the Zanzibar News Digest. We'll be back next week with more from across Zanzibar and Tanzania. Alia: Until then, take care. Alia: You can find the original reporting and our full transcript in the show notes. ZNZist Weekly is hosted by AI voices, with every story linked to its sources.