Zanzibar Port Upgrade Drive Turns Logistics Into The Next Tourism

Monday 12th January 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

Zanzibar’s Zanzibar port upgrade drive is becoming the quiet engine behind both trade and tourism, and the spending signals are no longer small.

In 2025, the government outlined a major transformation agenda for port infrastructure. Reporting pointed to a plan valued at about $400 million, covering upgrades and construction across multiple sites, including Fumba, Shumba, Mkoani, Mangapwani and Malindi, plus a new dry port at Maruhubi.

That scale matters because ports are not only cargo gates. They are also the first impression for visitors who arrive by sea. Therefore, port strategy now touches competitiveness, safety and service quality.

What changed in 2025

The 2025 change was the move toward multi-site expansion. Instead of one flagship facility, Zanzibar’s plan spreads capacity across ports. This approach can reduce congestion and improve resilience when one node faces delays.

Maruhubi became central to that story. In August 2025, authorities said they had allocated $250 million for a modern passenger port at Maruhubi in Unguja. Meanwhile, Zanzibar Port Corporation described a passenger terminal development contract at Maruhubi, with planning assumptions of about 5,000 ferry passengers per day and up to 12,000 per day in high season.

At the same time, Malindi Port offered an early “proof of change.” Daily News reported that Zanzibar recorded significant revenue and efficiency gains at Malindi after a handover to Zanzibar Multipurpose Terminal under a five-year agreement, linked to African Global Logistics. Therefore, the state is using private participation as a lever to improve operations, not only build concrete.

Where the Zanzibar port upgrade drive goes in 2026

In 2026, ports will be judged by time and transparency. In other words, modern facilities must shorten processing, not just look modern.

Political messaging already leans that way. President Mwinyi’s New Year priorities for 2026 highlighted intensified construction of strategic infrastructure including ports. Therefore, delivery timelines will now carry political cost if they slip.

If Maruhubi succeeds as a passenger gateway, it can ease pressure on older facilities and improve the visitor journey. In addition, a dry port can create a better system for cargo staging and clearance. Consequently, Zanzibar can reduce “hidden costs” that show up in higher food prices and business overhead.

Risks and opportunities

Ports can also become flashpoints. If fees rise without service improvements, traders complain. Moreover, if technology and staff skills lag, new assets underperform.

Still, the opportunity is strategic. Better ports support tourism, reduce import costs, and strengthen Zanzibar’s position in Indian Ocean trade lanes. Therefore, the Zanzibar port upgrade drive is not a side project. It is the backbone of the next growth phase.