Zanzibar’s leader, President Hussein Mwinyi, announced a refreshed government structure in a press briefing on Thursday that saw the expansion of the cabinet from 18 to 20 ministries. The changes are designed to expedite the fulfilment of election‑time promises and increase administrative efficiency.
Among the new departments, the Ministry of Communication, Information Technology & Innovation was created to sharpen focus on digital transformation, led by former Tourism Minister Mudrick Ramadhani Soraga. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Employment, Youth & Empowerment emerged as a dedicated portfolio to tackle youth unemployment and promote inclusive labor markets.
President Mwinyi explained that by trimming other ministerial links under the Office of the President from four to two he aimed to reduce bureaucracy and empower these new ministries to operate independently and effectively. He noted that combining too many functions under a single portfolio had previously over‑stretched capacity and slowed progress.
Most ministers from the prior cabinet remain in place, though several have been reassigned to fresh roles and a few have returned to previous positions reflecting a balance of continuity and innovation. Observers said the change maintains government stability while signalling a forward‑looking agenda focused on technology, jobs, and improved governance.
The restructuring comes at a time when Zanzibar is seeking to bolster its digital economy, create job opportunities for its growing youth cohort, and strengthen public sector performance. With the new ministries now in place, key next steps will include defining their mandate, securing funding, recruiting leadership teams, and tracking early outcomes.
If managed well, the changes could enhance Zanzibar’s competitiveness into the future though the real test will be in translating the reshuffle into measurable delivery on promises of innovation, youth empowerment and streamlined administration.