ZANZIBAR: FOR months, residents of Zanzibar, particularly on Unguja Island, have been grappling with frequent power outages that have disrupted daily life, strained household routines, and slowed economic activity across the islands.
From homes and schools to offices, small businesses and major hotels, unreliable electricity has become a shared frustration.
As outages persist, public concern has increasingly been directed at the government, with many calling for urgent and sustainable solutions.
At Kiembesamaki, Ms Maulid Omar Ali, a mother of four, says power cuts have deeply affected her daily routine.
“When electricity goes off in the evening, everything stops,” she says.
“Children cannot revise their lessons, food remains uncooked, and even charging a phone becomes a challenge. Sometimes we don’t know when the power will return.”
Students say the impact is also taking a toll on their education. Burhan Khamis Pandu, a Form Four student in the Urban West Region, explains that unexpected night-time outages disrupt his exam preparation.
“I depend on electricity to study at night,” he says. “When the power goes off, I lose concentration. Using candles is risky and not enough.”
Businesses feel the strain The business community has been vocal, warning that persistent electricity shortages are directly undermining productivity and investor confidence.
“No one can deny that electricity is now a basic part of modern life,” says Mr Hamad Hamad, Chief Executive Officer of the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC). “Businesses cannot operate efficiently without reliable power.”
He says the power crisis is affecting commerce, production and service delivery, while significantly increasing operating costs due to the widespread use of generators.
“Hotels, industries, small and medium enterprises, healthcare services and the ICT sector are all suffering losses,” he explains. “This situation also discourages both existing and potential investors.”
Mr Hamad urges the government to take urgent measures to strengthen electricity generation and distribution by investing in modern infrastructure and diversifying energy sources.
“Zanzibar must reduce its reliance on a single power source by expanding alternatives such as solar and gas,” he says.
“At ZNCC, we believe reliable electricity is the backbone of Zanzibar’s economy, and we are ready to work with the government to find a lasting solution.” Hotel operators, a key pillar of Zanzibar’s tourism-driven economy, echo the concern.
“At least twice a week we are forced to rely on generators,” says Kassim Mohamed, a hotel manager in Stone Town.
“Fuel is expensive, and guests expect uninterrupted services—air conditioning, lighting and internet. Power cuts affect customer satisfaction and damage our reputation.”
What is behind the power crisis?
According to Mr Haji Mohammed Haji, Manager of the state-owned Zanzibar Electricity Company (ZECO), the core challenge lies in Zanzibar’s heavy dependence on imported electricity from mainland Tanzania through undersea cables operated by TANESCO.
Zanzibar currently receives power through two submarine cables. The first, installed in 1980, had an original capacity of 45 megawatts (MW) but, due to ageing, now carries only 30MW and is operating at 98.8 per cent of its capacity.
The second cable, commissioned in 2013, has a capacity of 100MW and is also nearing its limit, operating at 97.3 per cent.
“In total, Zanzibar currently receives about 135.7MW from TANESCO, while demand has risen to around 165MW,” Mr Haji explains.
“This leaves a shortfall of nearly 30MW, placing excessive pressure on the grid.” When this pressure becomes too high, automatic protection systems trigger outages to prevent damage to infrastructure.
“These power cuts are safety measures to protect the system from total collapse,” he says.
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Government response: Solar power and energy security
To address the crisis, the Zanzibar Government has rolled out both short-term interventions and long-term solutions, with a strong focus on renewable energy.
One flagship initiative is a 30MW solar power plant at Matemwe, being developed under a contract with Elecmech of India and expected to be completed within nine months.
In addition, Zanzibar is set to receive 20MW of solar power from Bambi village through an agreement with Capital Generation of Mauritius.
“These projects will significantly reduce our dependence on imported electricity and strengthen Zanzibar’s energy security,” Mr Haji says.
Emergency measures during peak demand As interim relief, ZECO has repaired 30 out of 32 diesel generators at the Mtoni substation. During peak demand, between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm, the generators inject up to 20MW into the grid.
“This helps reduce the supply gap during evening hours,” Mr Haji explains, adding that within two weeks ZECO expects to generate up to 35MW from a power barge to ease the burden currently faced by residents. However, the high cost of diesel underscores the urgency of shifting to cleaner and more affordable energy sources.
Looking ahead
Electricity has been prioritised in the 2026/2027 national budget, with special funds earmarked for infrastructure upgrades and expanded generation capacity.
For ordinary citizens, hope lies in real change. “We just want reliable power,” says Ms Batuli Mohamed Bakar. “When electricity is stable, life becomes easier for everyone—businesses grow, services improve and investors gain confidence.”
Despite current challenges, Zanzibar’s push toward renewable energy signals a long-term commitment to sustainable development.
Residents, businesses and investors alike are watching closely, hoping that power cuts will soon become the exception rather than the norm.