The European Union and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar launched a TZS 190 Billion (EUR 75 Million) Green and Smart Cities SASA program on the island of Pemba.
The program, funded by the EU as part of the broader Team Europe Initiative (TEI), aims to boost infrastructure and stimulate local economic growth across Mwanza and Tanga in Tanzania Mainland and Pemba in Zanzibar.
The program started in Zanzibar’s Pemba island where TZS 17.5 Billion (EUR 6 Million) has been allocated to three key projects: KIJANI PEMBA, PURE, and INCLU-CITIES.
The first project, KIJANI PEMBA, aims to strengthen urban eco-resilience in Chake Chake and Mkoani towns with a budget of TZS 8.7 billion (EUR 3 million). It is implemented by Lay Volunteers International Association (LVIA), WeWorld, and the Popular Inspiring and Relief Organization (PIRO).
The second project, PURE (Pemba Urban Resilience through Ecosystem-based approaches), focuses on Wete and Micheweni, with a budget of TZS 5.8 billion (EUR 2 million), and is implemented by OIKOS and AAM.
The third project, INCLU-CITIES which is Inclusive and Sustainable Local Economy, implemented by ENABEL, a Belgian development Agency, aims to promote entrepreneurship, access to finance and business services as well as skills development in key economic sectors like fisheries, seaweed production, and the circular economy.
These projects seek to advance urban infrastructure like schools, markets and public spaces, services like water supply and waste management, create economic opportunities in seaweed farming and waste recycling sectors, and empower local communities for youth and women.
During the launch, the EU Ambassador in Tanzania Ms. Christine Grau visited EU-supported schools, training and processing facilities, and the Ngezi forest reserve, witnessing firsthand the positive impacts of EU-funded projects on local communities.
Speaking at the Program Launch Ambassador Grau highlighted that “The European Union, as a reliable international partner of Tanzania, has built a strong partnership with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar supporting its economic, social and cultural development. This partnership is further strengthened by our commitment to accompany the Zanzibar government in its efforts to promote investments, and economic growth, and to improve the quality of life for its people.”
“Pemba has a fast-growing and very young population that needs more economic opportunities (jobs, businesses, etc.) and basic services (water, health, education). Pemba’s natural beauty and resources are a big opportunity for economic growth, but they are also very vulnerable. Sustainable management is crucial in the context of the impact of climate change,” Ambassador Grau added.
The EU Green and Smart Cities SASA Program
The EU Green and Smart Cities SASA program aims to support local Government systems to deliver services effectively and promote social accountability whereby the EU proposes green and innovative solutions to support the basic needs of the urban citizens.
It is one of the EU’s Team Europe Initiatives (TEI) which focuses on identifying critical priority areas that constrain the development of a region or country. These are coordinated by Team Europe which consists of EU member states—including their implementing agencies and public development banks—as well as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The program is a priority area in the MIP—the Global Europe Multiannual Indicative Program 2021-2027—which supports Tanzania and Zanzibar development plans with a EUR 426 Million allocation for the initial period. It focuses on three priority areas including green deals, human capital, employment and governance.
The EU Green and Smart Cities SASA started targeting urban mobility, water and waste management combining green deals in an urban context, entrepreneurship through skills development, economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and SME development as well as improved urban business environment for the private sector.
