ZANZIBAR FISHERIES COMPANY (ZAFICO)
Public Private Partnership Investment Opportunities
Unlocking Sustainable Growth in Zanzibar’s Fisheries & Blue Economy
About ZAFICO
Zanzibar Fisheries Company Limited (ZAFICO), is a 100% Government-owned enterprise under the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, mandated to lead the commercial growth of the fisheries and blue economy sectors. As the Government’s primary investment arm in fisheries, ZAFICO oversees large-scale fishing operations, fish procurement and marketing, value addition and fisheries infrastructure development in alignment with national priorities.
ZAFICO plays a vital role in transforming Zanzibar’s fisheries sector from an artisanal base into a competitive, export-oriented industry. The company invests in infrastructure, promotes private sector participation through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and supports fisher livelihoods by ensuring sustainable market access, modern facilities and innovative value-chain solutions.
Core Mandates
Commercial Fishing Operations
Operating company-owned and leased vessels for deep-sea and coastal fishing.
Fish Procurement & Marketing
Purchasing directly from fishers and supplying domestic and international markets.
Value Addition
Processing, packaging, and branding Zanzibar seafood for competitive advantage.
Infrastructure Development
Establishing and managing modern facilities, including cold storage, processing plants, ice plants and landing sites.
Fisher Support Services
Supports local fishers with training, modern fishing gear, fuel, ice and logistics to improve productivity, reduce losses, and promote sustainable fishing. These services strengthen the supply chain and boost livelihoods in coastal communities.
Available Projects Opportunities
Through strategic Public Private Partnerships (PPP), ZAFICO seeks private investors to collaborate on transformative projects that will modernize fisheries infrastructure, increase value addition and promote sustainable aquaculture.
1. Rehabilitation of Malindi Cold Rooms, Fish Processing & Ice Manufacturing
Project Description
This project involves the rehabilitation, renovation, financing, operation and maintenance of the old ZAFICO plant. The facility includes cold rooms, ice manufacturing plant and fish processing units. The Government is concurrently rehabilitating the adjacent wharf, a hub for fishing vessels under 45m for catch offloading, fuelling and other amenities.
Strategic Alignment
Supports modernization of Zanzibar’s fisheries value chain and cold chain infrastructure, contributing to food security, export growth and local employment under national blue economy priorities.
Project Components
Cold rooms
Ice plant
Fish processing facility
Wharf rehabilitation (Government-led)
Support facilities for fishing vessels
Partnership Modality
Private partner to rehabilitate, finance, operate and maintain (RFOM) the cold chain and processing infrastructure. Government responsible for wharf rehabilitation. TADB Bank has indicated willingness to provide concessional loans for this cold chain project.
Location:
Malindi, Zanzibar
Government Support & Incentives:
Wharf rehabilitation ongoing by Government
Potential TADB concessional financing support
Provision of land and infrastructure by Government
Documents Available:
Existing infrastructure assessment
Feasibility study
Investment Opportunity
Opportunity to revitalize key fisheries infrastructure with secured landing site and supportive financing. Expected benefits include revenue from processing, ice supply and cold storage services, targeting local and export markets.
2. Management, Operation & Maintenance of Dry Anchovy Processing and Value Addition at Kama
Project Description
A state-of-the-art dry anchovy processing and value addition project with existing new Government-built infrastructure. The private partner will install/ procure machinery for value addition processes. The project includes drying racks, solar dryers, washing, steaming, loading/offloading, weighing, business center, rental accommodations, chemical building, fish meal plant with machinery, warehouses and factory buildings.
Strategic Alignment
Unique in East Africa, this facility aims to boost small pelagic fish value addition, increase export readiness and generate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Project Components
Drying area with racks and solar dryers
Processing buildings (washing, steaming, loading, weighing)
Fish meal plant & machinery
Warehouses and factory buildings
Business centre & rental accommodations
Public facilities
Partnership Modality
Private partner responsible for Procuring value addition machinery, managing, operating, and maintaining (O&M + Procurement of Machineries) the facility. Government has developed core infrastructure.
Location
Kama, Zanzibar
Government Support & Incentives
Newly Infrastructure already built and available
Land provision
Supportive policy environment
Other Government support
Documents Available
Feasibility Study
Facility plans and infrastructure inventory
Environmental and social impact assessments
Investment Opportunity
Be part of pioneering anchovy value addition in the region, leveraging existing infrastructure with room for technological upgrades and business expansion.
3. Fish Processing and Landing Site at Fungurefu
Project Description
Development of a landing site with jetty for fishing vessels to offload catch, accompanied by a fish processing factory. Government is procuring a 39.9m deepsea fishing vessel and constructing factory facilities. Private partner to equip modern fish processing machinery, expand project components including cold chain systems and manage operations.
Strategic Alignment
Strengthens Zanzibar’s fishing industry by integrating deep sea fishing capacity with modern processing and export-ready infrastructure, advancing blue economy objectives.
Project Components
Landing site with jetty
Fish processing factory
Deepsea fishing vessel (39.9m)
Cold chain systems and expansion facilities
Partnership Modality
Government leads vessel procurement and facility construction, private partner to finance equipment, expand, operate, manage and maintain processing, Deepsea vessel and landing site operations.
Location
Fungurefu, Zanzibar
Government Support & Incentives
Land allocation
Vessel procurement by Government
Policy and operational support
Other Government support
Documents Available
Feasibility Study
Vessel purchase documents
Factory facility blueprints
Environmental approvals
Investment Opportunity
Invest in integrated fishing and processing infrastructure with direct access to deep sea catch and export markets.
4. Octopus and Fish Processing Plant at Shumba Mjini
Project Description
This is a greenfield project for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a modern octopus and fish processing plant. Shumba Mjini is renowned as one of Zanzibar’s richest octopus habitats, producing premium-quality species with high market value locally and internationally. The area benefits from community-managed “octopus closure zones” where fishing is temporarily prohibited, allowing stocks to regenerate. Once the harvest period opens, yields are exceptionally high in both quantity and quality. These same areas also produce abundant fish stocks under similar sustainable management.
Strategic Alignment
This project supports diversification and value addition in Zanzibar’s fisheries sector, targeting high-value species for both domestic and export markets, while promoting sustainable fishing practices that protect marine biodiversity and enhance long-term yields.
Project Components
Modern octopus and fish processing plant facilities
Cold storage and packaging systems
Supporting infrastructure and utilities
Sustainable harvesting and supply chain systems
Partnership Modality
Private partner responsible for full project cycle from design through operation (DBFOM). Government to provide land, policy facilitation and access arrangements to designated sustainable fishing areas.
Location
Shumba Mjini, Zanzibar
Government Support & Incentives
Provision of prime coastal land
Access to sustainably managed octopus fishing zones
Policy support and facilitation of licenses and permits
Technical cooperation with local fishing communities
Documents Available
Site plans
Concept note
Investment Opportunity
Be the first to establish a high-value octopus processing hub at the source of one of East Africa’s richest and best-managed octopus fisheries. With secure access to premium quality catch, sustainable harvesting systems and strong Government and community support, this project offers significant returns for export and specialty seafood markets.
5. Fish Cage Farming (Aquaculture)
Project Description
This is a greenfield aquaculture project for the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of modern fish cage farming systems. The Government will provide both shore and offshore areas that are naturally suited for cage farming, ensuring optimal water quality, stable conditions and high productivity potential.
Strategic Alignment
This project directly supports Zanzibar’s aquaculture development policy by
Enhancing sustainable fish production
Diversifying fish supply sources
Creating stable livelihoods for local communities
Reducing fishing pressure on wild stocks while meeting growing seafood demand
Project Components
Fish cages located in offshore waters and shore-based support facilities
Infrastructure for feeding, harvesting and monitoring
Cold chain and packaging systems for market-ready products
Training and technology transfer to local workforce
Partnership Modality
Private partner responsible for the full project lifecycle (DBFOM). Government to provide land (shore and offshore) and facilitation for licenses, environmental approvals and operational support.
Location
Bwereo, a designated site along Zanzibar’s shore and offshore areas, is also a well-known tourist destination. This prime area is located in Nungwi, famous for its world-class beaches, vibrant marine tourism and strong hospitality infrastructure. Its unique combination of pristine waters, high tourist footfall and logistical connectivity offers investors a strategic advantage for both aquaculture operations and value-added seafood products targeting domestic, tourist and export markets.
Government Support & Incentives
Provision of shore and offshore sites
Streamlined policy facilitation and aquaculture licensing
Technical support and community engagement frameworks
Tax and investment incentives under PPP policy
Documents Available
Site assessments
Environmental assessment reports
Feasibility study
Investment Opportunity
Capitalize on the growing global and regional demand for farmed fish through access to premium aquaculture sites in one of Zanzibar’s most sought-after coastal locations. Proximity to Nungwi’s tourism hub creates opportunities for premium seafood branding, direct-to-market sales and synergy with the hospitality industry.
6. Shrimp Farming at Pemba
Project Description
A greenfield shrimp farming initiative involving the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of both onshore and offshore shrimp farms. The Government has allocated highly suitable coastal and marine areas in Pemba recognized as one of East Africa’s prime shrimp habitats where wild shrimp thrive in abundance and exceptional quality. These waters are naturally conducive to shrimp aquaculture, reducing operational risk and enhancing production yields.
Strategic Alignment
Expands Zanzibar’s aquaculture portfolio with a high-value, export-oriented product
Leverages Pemba’s unique environmental conditions and naturally rich shrimp populations
Supports economic growth through job creation, foreign exchange earnings and skills transfer
Aligns with Zanzibar’s blue economy strategy for sustainable marine resource utilization
Project Components
Onshore shrimp farming ponds and associated infrastructure
Offshore shrimp cages or enclosures
Hatcheries for seed production
Feed production facilities
Processing and cold chain systems for domestic and export markets
Partnership Modality
Private partner responsible for the full project lifecycle (DBFOM), from hatchery to export. Government to provide land (shore and offshore) plus facilitation for licenses, infrastructure linkages and regulatory approvals.
Location
Tumbe, Zanzibar, an ecological hotspot renowned for its pristine marine environment and as a natural home of shrimp. These nutrient-rich waters and sheltered coastal areas create an ideal environment for high-yield shrimp farming. Pemba’s location also offers strategic access to regional and international seafood export markets.
Government Support & Incentives
Onshore and offshore land allocation in prime shrimp zones
Tax incentives and policy facilitation
Technical support through national aquaculture programs
Priority access to export facilitation services
Documents Available
Environmental studies and habitat assessments
Preliminary feasibility studies
Investment Opportunity
Be among the first to establish large-scale shrimp aquaculture in East Africa’s most naturally advantageous shrimp habitat. With government support, abundant natural stock and ideal environmental conditions, investors can position themselves for strong returns in both regional and global premium shrimp markets.
Contact us
Email: info@zafico.co.tz
Website: www.zafico.co.tz
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