Zanzibar, Tanzania – 1 July 2026
Equity Group, a leading African financial services institution, today convened a high-level investment forum with the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA), bringing together international investors, business leaders, government officials and entrepreneurs to explore the vast investment opportunities available across the Zanzibar archipelago.
The forum, held as part of the ongoing Tanzania and Zanzibar Trade and Investment Roadshow 2026, provided delegates with direct access to Zanzibar's investment ecosystem, showcasing opportunities across priority sectors including tourism, the blue economy, agriculture, manufacturing, information and communication technology (ICT), construction, logistics, transport, energy, mining, financial services and real estate.
ZIPA officials highlighted Zanzibar's strategic location, investor-friendly policy environment, attractive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, and its unique semi-autonomous investment framework that continues to position the archipelago as one of East Africa's emerging investment destinations. Participants were also taken through streamlined investment procedures, regulatory support mechanisms, investment guarantees and the various market entry options available to foreign investors.
Speaking during the forum, Al haji Jecha, Director of Planning and Research at ZIPA, described the Trade and Investment Roadshow as an important platform for fostering partnerships that drive sustainable economic growth.
"This trade mission provides an excellent platform to connect businesses, investors and government institutions, exchange ideas and build partnerships that promote investment, expand trade and unlock new opportunities for collaboration.
The sectors represented today including construction, real estate, logistics and transportation, warehousing, energy, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, financial services and general trade are among Zanzibar's priority sectors. Zanzibar offers tremendous opportunities, and we stand ready to work with you in transforming your investment ambitions into successful ventures."
Speaking during the forum, Equity Group Director for Trade Relations, AQ Hamza, said:
"This Roadshow is more than a business mission-it is a platform for unlocking Africa's immense economic potential. By bringing together investors, government institutions and the private sector, we are creating partnerships that drive investment, expand trade and accelerate regional integration. Equity Group remains committed to facilitating cross-border commerce and empowering businesses to seize opportunities across Africa, with Zanzibar standing out as a strategic gateway for investment in the region."
As the lead organiser of the Roadshow, Equity Group has provided delegates with a comprehensive investment facilitation framework that extends beyond financial services. Through engagements with key government agencies, including ZIPA, the Group continues to support market entry for investors by facilitating regulatory engagement, strategic partnerships, and direct access to investment opportunities.
Following the formal presentations, delegates participated in structured Business-to-Business (B2B) matchmaking sessions with Zanzibar-based businesses and ZIPA clients, creating opportunities to identify potential partners, suppliers and joint venture opportunities aligned with their investment interests. The networking sessions provided investors with valuable insights into Zanzibar's private sector landscape while opening avenues for future commercial partnerships.
The investment forum also brought together representatives from the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, alongside private sector stakeholders, further demonstrating Zanzibar's whole-of-government approach to attracting investment and facilitating business growth.
On the final day of the Roadshow, delegates will visit two of Zanzibar's flagship investment projects, the Fumba Free Economic Zone and the Mangapwani Multi-Purpose Port. The visits will offer investors firsthand exposure to the archipelago's strategic infrastructure developments and Special Economic Zones, providing deeper insight into opportunities within Zanzibar's industrial, logistics and maritime sectors.
The forum forms part of Equity Group's broader four-day Trade and Investment Roadshow aimed at unlocking transformative trade and investment opportunities across Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. The initiative supports regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by promoting cross-border trade, strengthening regional value chains and expanding intra-African commerce.
The Tanzania and Zanzibar Trade and Investment Roadshow continues to serve as a catalyst for strengthening regional trade, fostering sustainable investment and building lasting commercial partnerships that contribute to Africa's economic transformation.
About Equity Group Holdings PLC:
Equity Group Holdings Plc. is a Pan-African financial services holding company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange. The Group has banking subsidiaries in Kenya, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and a Commercial Representative Office in Ethiopia. It has other subsidiaries in investment banking, insurance, telecom, fintech and social impact investments delivered via Equity Group Foundation. Equity Group is the largest integrated financial services firm in the region with a market capitalization of USD 2 billion.
The Group has an asset base of USD 15.7 Billion, a customer base of 22.7 million supported by a footprint of 409 branches, 86,910 Agents, over 1.4 million Pay with Equity (PWE) merchants, 39,296 Point-of-Sale (POS) Merchants, 881 ATMs and an extensive adoption of digital banking channels.
The Bank’s strong liquidity buffers, resilient funding profile, established domestic presence, and extensive use of digital and alternative distribution channels have earned significant recognition. In 2026, it was named Africa’s Strongest Banking Brand by Brand Finance, achieving a Brand Strength Index (BSI) of 93.9 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating, and ranking among the global top 10 strongest banking brands.
The Group was also recognized as a Superbrand in East Africa (2024–2026), affirming its commitment to quality, reliability, and excellence in the financial services sector.
For further information, please contact:
Equity Bank Tanzania
Phone: +255 787681636
Email: shumbana.walwa@equitybank.co.tz
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