Unguja. Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi’s four-day working visit to South Korea has been described as successful, with key outcomes including an agreement to explore a lasting solution to the islands’ electricity challenges.
Others are the prospects for billions of shillings in investment in strategic projects and the official handover of the hosting rights for the 2027 International Island Tourism Policy Forum (ITOP).
The tour began on October 27, 2026, when Dr Mwinyi, accompanied by First Lady Mariam Mwinyi and his delegation, arrived in South Korea.
Tanzania’s Ambassador to the country, Mr Noel Kaganda, received them for a visit that concluded on Friday, October 30, 2026, in Seoul.
Opening doors to the blue economy and technology
On October 27, Dr Mwinyi began his engagements in the industrial city of Yeosu, where he met the city’s Mayor, Seo Young-hak.
During the meeting, he said Zanzibar wanted to strengthen cooperation with South Korea, particularly in tourism, the blue economy, renewable energy, industrial development, technology and education.
‘Zanzibar wants to benefit from Korea’s experience in modern fishing, aquaculture, cold-storage systems and seaweed processing to add value to the crop and increase the incomes of farmers and fishermen,’ he said.
While in Yeosu, President Mwinyi visited POSCO Gwangyang Steel Company to learn about environmentally sustainable industrial production technologies.
He also visited K-Food Goheung-gun, a company involved in producing and processing seaweed products, a crop on which many farmers in Zanzibar depend. He also participated in the World Island Exhibition 2026.
Electricity agreement and renewable energy
On October 28, at the Sono Hotel in Yeosu, Dr Mwinyi held a meeting with leaders of WongWang Electric Power Corporation (WG Corporation), during which he said the government had prioritised finding a lasting solution to Zanzibar’s electricity challenges.
‘Zanzibar still relies on electricity from Tanzania Mainland and continues to face supply shortages. The government is therefore strengthening efforts to increase local power generation and reduce that dependence,’ he said.
During the discussions, the two sides explored possible cooperation in renewable energy generation, mini-grid systems and energy storage solutions suitable for small islands.
Dr Mwinyi said the company had expressed readiness to send a team of experts to Zanzibar to assess its technical requirements once the necessary legal procedures had been completed.
Zanzibar handed ITOP 2027 hosting rights
From Yeosu, President Mwinyi travelled to Jeju Island to participate in the 27th International Island Tourism Policy Forum (ITOP Forum 2026).
Speaking at the ITOP leaders’ roundtable at Jeju Stone Park, which brought together leaders from 12 member territories and representatives of UN Tourism, Dr Mwinyi said the forum should serve as a platform for generating practical interventions and tangible benefits for island communities.
‘Zanzibar’s goal is not simply to increase tourist numbers, but to ensure the sector delivers lasting benefits, supports local businesses and protects our natural and cultural heritage,’ he said.
His position was followed by the official handover of the ITOP flag on October 29 by Jeju Governor Wi Seong-gon, symbolising Zanzibar’s selection to host the 28th edition of the forum in 2027.
The handover allows Zanzibar to bring together tourism leaders and stakeholders from across the world while showcasing its attractions internationally.
Dr Mwinyi also met Governor Wi and proposed establishing sister-city cooperation between Zanzibar and Jeju.
‘Zanzibar can learn from Jeju in managing tourism attractions, promoting ecotourism and using solar and wind energy, which contribute approximately 30 percent of the island’s electricity supply,’ he said.
Governor Wi pledged to initiate discussions between experts immediately.
Billions in investment projects and Zanzibar railway revival
During investment meetings in Seoul, Dr Mwinyi held discussions with leaders of five major institutions and companies: K-FINCO, HEERIM, Sejong Plant, SAMOO C.M. Architects and Engineers and Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology Ltd (SSRST).
The discussions focused on attracting South Korean companies to invest in Zanzibar’s priority projects, including ports, maritime transport, roads, urban infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism and industries.
Among the proposed projects, HEERIM announced that it had already prepared a development plan for the Zanzibar International Conference and Exhibition Centre (MICE).
SAMOO C.M. outlined its capacity to participate in constructing Binguni Referral Hospital, which Dr Mwinyi said would provide healthcare services and training, require modern medical equipment, and advanced hospital systems.
Sejong Plant expressed interest in participating in clean water supply and wastewater treatment projects, importing fish products from Zanzibar and investing in cold-storage facilities.
Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology expressed interest in cooperating with the government to revive passenger and tourist railway services in Zanzibar.
President Mwinyi welcomed South Korean investors to explore opportunities in Zanzibar, particularly in the blue economy, ports, agro-processing industries and access to the East African Community and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) markets. He also urged them to partner with local businesspeople.
Analysts assess the visit
Commenting on the visit, international diplomacy and economic analyst Haji Salum said South Korea was an appropriate partner for Zanzibar.
‘This was not an ordinary political visit. South Korea has transformed itself from a poor country into a technology-driven economy in just 40 years by exploiting its maritime and industrial potential. Zanzibar is seeking to emulate that model. The electricity discussions with WG Corporation and the visit to POSCO demonstrate the government’s determination to reduce dependence on Mainland power,’ he said.
Tourism and blue economy analyst Ms Asmaa Saidi described Zanzibar’s selection to host ITOP 2027 as a major achievement.
‘ITOP has 12 members, including Bali, Hawaii, Phuket and Jeju. Zanzibar hosting the forum in 2027 means the island will receive international exposure as a sustainable tourism destination,’ she said.
However, she cautioned that the challenge would be ensuring that the MICE centre and Binguni Hospital projects discussed with HEERIM and SAMOO were implemented on schedule so that visiting delegates could see tangible progress in 2027.
Energy and infrastructure analyst, Mr Haroub Mohamed, said the proposed railway and electricity projects were fundamental to Zanzibar’s development.
‘Zanzibar cannot attract industries and high-end tourism if electricity supply remains unreliable and transport depends entirely on roads. If Korean companies invest in solar and wind-powered mini-grids alongside a tourist railway, production costs could fall, and employment opportunities for young people could increase. This is truly a visit aligned with the 2050 vision,’ he said.
Citizens call for swift implementation
Fisherman and seaweed farmer from Paje, Mr Ali Juma, said he was optimistic about the prospects for cooperation in seaweed processing.
‘We cultivate seaweed, but the market does not give it sufficient value. If the President went to Korea and saw how seaweed is processed into food and cosmetics, he should bring a processing plant to Zanzibar. We want better prices for our produce,’ said Mr Juma.
Tourism entrepreneur from Forodhani, Ms Mwanaisha Khamis, welcomed Zanzibar’s selection to host ITOP 2027, but called for improvements in basic infrastructure.
‘ITOP 2027 is a major opportunity for small hotel operators like us. However, if tourists arrive in 2027 and find there is no water and electricity keeps going off, we will be embarrassed. These Korean agreements on water and electricity must be implemented quickly, not remain on paper,’ said Ms Khamis.