Digital Dhow

Project Summary

"Digital Dhow" is a flagship digital transformation initiative aimed at positioning Zanzibar as a pioneering smart economy in East Africa. Anchored in local heritage yet driven by cutting-edge technology, this project envisions a digital leap that empowers Zanzibari citizens, businesses, and institutions through innovation, connectivity, and inclusive digital services. Like the traditional dhow that once connected Zanzibar to the global trade network, this digital dhow will carry Zanzibar into a future of prosperity, sustainability, and resilience.

Digital Dhow Zanzibar

Objectives:

  • 1. Build a Smart Digital Infrastructure: Develop a secure and scalable ICT backbone to support e-governance, digital payments, and smart services.
  • 2. Empower Local Innovation: Establish Digital Innovation Hubs to incubate startups, especially in tourism, fishing, agriculture, and artisan industries.
  • 3. Boost Digital Literacy: Deliver training programs for youth, women, and small businesses on digital tools, financial literacy, and e-commerce.
  • 4. Modernize Government Services: Implement an integrated digital governance system for health, education, identity, land, and tax.
  • 5. Promote Zanzibar as a Digital Nomad & Tech Destination: Create a business-friendly tech ecosystem and global branding campaign.

Key Objectives:

    1. Smart Infrastructure Deployment

  • Expansion of fiber-optic connectivity across the islands.
  • Community Wi-Fi zones in rural and urban centers.
  • Smart energy and IoT infrastructure pilots.

    • 2. Zanzibar Innovation & Tech Hubs

  • Establish 3 regional innovation hubs (Unguja, Pemba, and Urban West)
  • Co-working spaces, mentorship programs, and seed funding for startups.

    • 3. e-Government Ecosystem

  • Integrated e-ID, e-health, e-land registry, and e-tax platforms.
  • Mobile-first citizen service applications.

    • 4. Digital Skills Academy

  • Targeting youth (18–35), women entrepreneurs, and civil servants.
  • Courses in coding, digital marketing, data analytics, and blockchain.

    • 5. Smart Tourism and Heritage Digitization

  • Establish a Zanzibar Blue Economy Innovation Hub.
  • Virtual Zanzibar platform showcasing 3D cultural heritage and tourism portals.
  • Digital guides and augmented reality experiences for tourists.

Target Beneficiaries:

  • 5 million Zanzibari citizens.
  • Over 500 MSMEs and 100 startups.
  • Government institutions and civil servants.
  • Tourists and digital nomads.

Project Duration:

36 months (3 years)

Digitall Dhow

Expected Outcomes:

  • 80% internet penetration across Zanzibar.
  • 5,000+ trained individuals in digital skills.
  • 100+ government services fully digitized.
  • 150 startups launched or scaled.
  • 30% increase in tech-based employment.

Budget Estimate:

Component

Estimated Cost (USD)

Smart Infrastructure Development

$5,000,000

Innovation Hubs (3 Hubs)

$2,500,000

e-Government Systems & Platforms

$3,000,000

Digital Skills Academy & Training

$1,200,000

Tourism & Cultural Digitization

$800,000

Project Management & Monitoring

$500,000

Branding, Marketing & Outreach

$500,000

Contingency (10%)

$1,350,000

Total Estimated Budget

$14,850,000

Implementation Partners:

  • Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
  • Local universities and TVETs.
  • International development agencies (e.g., World Bank, UNDP)
  • Private sector partners (telecom, fintech, tourism)
  • Diaspora and global tech experts.
Dhow Zanzibar

Sustainability & Impact Strategy:

  • Revenue from e-government services and startup equity
  • Public-private partnerships for hub management..
  • Continuous capacity building.
  • Green tech integration for energy and environment.