ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has officially announced the dissolution of the 10th House of Representatives, effective August 13, 2025, to pave the way for the upcoming General Election.

Speaking on Monday before lawmakers at the House of Representatives in Chukwani, Dr Mwinyi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to democracy, called on citizens to uphold peace and highlighted key achievements of the eighth phase government, including robust economic growth, rising investments and major infrastructure development.

President Mwinyi noted that both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) are actively preparing to ensure the successful conduct of the election.

“Public participation in decision-making institutions is the cornerstone of democracy and good governance,” Dr Mwinyi said, saying that successive governments of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government have consistently upheld this constitutional right.

He praised the leadership, members and staff of the House for their dedication to representing citizens and holding the government accountable.

“The effective functioning of this House has allowed it to advise the government, pass critical legislation and approve national budgets,” he said.

Dr Mwinyi noted parliamentary reforms during the term, including digitisation efforts that reduced the cost of printing official documents.

He noted that by April 2025, the House had enacted or amended 44 laws across various sectors. The president said that Zanzibar’s economy had shown impressive growth over the past five years, with GDP at current market prices rising from 4.78tri/- in 2021 to 6.57tri/- in 2024 — a 63 per cent increase. Economic growth stood at 7.1 per cent in 2024.

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Per capita income also rose from 1,099 US dollars (about2.52m/-) in 2020 to 1,395 US dollars (about 3.22m/-) in 2024. Government revenue collection improved significantly, increasing from 856bn/- in the 2020/2021 fiscal year to 2.104tri/- in 2023/2024, a growth of 1.248tri/-.

Dr Mwinyi said investment trends remained positive, with 485 projects worth 6.2 billion US dollars registered by June 2025. These include 187 hotel-related projects, 112 commercial developments, 48 industrial ventures, 27 agricultural projects, 28 in sports and 83 in other sectors.

He added that Zanzibar is encouraging investment in its smaller islands, with the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) registering projects on 17 islands totalling 377.5 million US dollars in expected investments. Efforts are also underway to develop the integrated port zone at Mangapwani, including road, water and electricity infrastructure.

President Mwinyi said that the eighth phase government has made significant strides in the blue economy, particularly in tourism, marine transport, fishing, seaweed farming, port development and oil and gas exploration. Tourist arrivals rose from 394,185 in 2021 to 736,755 in 2024, an 86.9 per cent increase.

The sector now contributes 30 per cent to GDP. Cruise ship visits increased from six in 2018 to 20 in 2025, while the number of high-end hotels grew from 36 in 2023 to 79 in 2025. The government is also constructing a new cargo port in Mangapwani.

Of the planned 370 compensation houses for displaced residents, 247 are already under construction. To boost marine transport, a contract was signed with Synergy Ship Builders of India to build two highspeed ferries serving Unguja, Pemba, Tanga and Dar es Salaam.

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The number of passenger sea vessels increased from 11 in 2020 to 14 in 2025, with daily travellers, including tourists ranging from 5,000 to 7,000. Dr Mwinyi said that airport authority revenues rose from 12.9bn/- in 2021 to 40.2bn/- in 2025, a 211.6 per cent increase.

Passenger numbers jumped from 840,559 in 2020 to 2,140,956 in 2025. He also spoke on the Union, stating that political, economic and social relations have strengthened. Since the establishment of the Joint Union Affairs Committee in 2006construction.

To boost marine transport, a contract was signed with Synergy Ship Builders of India to build two highspeed ferries serving Unguja, Pemba, Tanga and Dar es Salaam.

The number of passenger sea vessels increased from 11 in 2020 to 14 in 2025, with daily travellers, including tourists ranging from 5,000 to 7,000. Dr Mwinyi said that airport authority revenues rose from 12.9bn/- in 2021 to 40.2bn/- in 2025, a 211.6 per cent increase.

Passenger numbers jumped from 840,559 in 2020 to 2,140,956 in 2025. He also spoke on the Union, stating that political, economic and social relations have strengthened. Since the establishment of the Joint Union Affairs Committee in 2006, 26 Union matters have been discussed — 22 of which have been resolved.construction.

To boost marine transport, a contract was signed with Synergy Ship Builders of India to build two highspeed ferries serving Unguja, Pemba, Tanga and Dar es Salaam.

The number of passenger sea vessels increased from 11 in 2020 to 14 in 2025, with daily travellers, including tourists ranging from 5,000 to 7,000.

Dr Mwinyi said that airport authority revenues rose from 12.9bn/- in 2021 to 40.2bn/- in 2025, a 211.6 per cent increase. Passenger numbers jumped from 840,559 in 2020 to 2,140,956 in 2025. He also spoke on the Union, stating that political, economic and social relations have strengthened.

Since the establishment of the Joint Union Affairs Committee in 2006, 26 Union matters have been discussed — 22 of which have been resolved., 26 Union matters have been discussed — 22 of which have been resolved.

Zanzibar, he said, continues to benefit from the fair distribution of foreign aid and Union-initiated development project.