Formal partnership
Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development
The Ministry and ZFO signed an MoU establishing collaboration on the Zanzibar Small Business Formalisation Programme.
ZSBFP implementation frameworkEngagements and updates
Building relationships around accountable action.
ZFO distinguishes formal partnerships from stakeholder discussions and proposed collaboration. The status shown for each engagement reflects its present stage.
Institutional record
Key developments in 2026.
These engagements support programme governance, technical collaboration, financial inclusion, market access and wider opportunities for Zanzibar’s communities.
Institutional engagement
TRA Business Facilitation Desk
ZFO hosted representatives of TRA’s Business Facilitation Desk for discussions on how tax education, voluntary compliance and practical formalisation support can strengthen implementation of the Zanzibar Small Business Formalisation Programme. TRA’s internal consideration of possible support is continuing.
Positive technical discussion; no formal partnership announcedProspective implementation collaboration
JECA and the Jozani mangrove initiative
ZFO met JECA at its Jozani office to continue discussions ahead of the proposed GEF Small Grants Programme OP8 project. The engagement focused on community participation, local conservation experience, mangrove restoration and sustainable fisheries in Jozani, Pete and Ukongoroni.
A general MoU and project-level implementation arrangements are under preparationInstitutional engagement
Mwanamke Initiative Foundation
ZFO and MIF explored collaboration around community empowerment, the Children’s Desk initiative and a complementary clean-energy component. The clean-energy discussion is separate from the GEF-funded project and remains subject to further agreement.
Areas of collaboration under discussion; financing not yet presented as confirmedGovernance established
ZSBFP Joint Steering Committee
A joint mechanism was established to provide strategic oversight, review work plans and budgets, and strengthen programme accountability.
Ministry–ZFO programme governanceActive engagement
JUVIEKA and youth participation
ZFO is engaging JUVIEKA around youth participation, skills and opportunity-building.
Youth programme engagementFormalisation in progress
Ministry of Youth, Employment and Empowerment
ZFO is working to finalise stakeholder engagement supporting its youth empowerment programme.
Not yet presented as a formal partnershipDiscussion underway
Mixx by Yas
Discussions have focused on digital and financial inclusion, merchant services, capacity-building and a possible structured contribution to the five-year ZSBFP.
Concept and proposed MoU under developmentTechnical engagement pursued
Office of the Chief Government Statistician
ZFO is pursuing statistical and technical collaboration to strengthen programme baselines, evidence and performance reporting.
Proposed collaborationDiscussion underway
People’s Bank of Zanzibar
ZFO has prepared engagement materials around enterprise support, financial inclusion and potential programme collaboration.
Not yet a formal partnershipLeadership dialogue
Institutional opportunity meeting
ZFO hosted Hon. Mahmoud Omar, Chairperson of the Zanzibar Bar Association and Member of Parliament for Tumbatu, to discuss institutional opportunities and avenues for collaboration.
Stakeholder dialogue at the ZFO officeStakeholder discussion held
V. Clean market-management discussion
ZFO met with V. Clean to discuss MSME participation and service opportunities across Zanzibar’s officially managed markets. The proposed pilot will cover all four official markets managed by V. Clean, including North B and Chake Chake, Pemba. Further technical coordination will define implementation roles and participating enterprises.
Proposed four-market pilot; implementation arrangements under developmentWork with a locally rooted institution.
Contact ZFO to discuss programme delivery, technical support or responsible partnership.