Across Africa and beyond, governments are exploring how cutting-edge technology can unlock better outcomes for citizens. In Zanzibar, a partnership between the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) and the Earth-observation company Planet is showing what’s possible when satellite data meet bold leadership.
TBI’s work in Zanzibar wasn’t just about rolling out new tools – it was about making sure those tools worked in practice: solving real problems, supporting government priorities and aligning with long-term goals such as the Zanzibar Development Vision 2050. Reimagining how the state can serve people better starts with technology that has a clear, practical use. That’s what drives lasting change.
How Geographic Information Systems Are Shaping Zanzibar’s Future
Over the past few years, Zanzibar has quietly laid the foundation for a geospatial revolution – from drone-powered surveys and digital ward maps to a census and the development of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure. The building blocks for smarter, data-driven governance were in place.
In 2023, that foundation became the launchpad for real-world change. TBI, in partnership with Planet, launched a pilot to help Zanzibar unlock the full potential of geographic information systems (GIS). The goal? To equip government institutions with the tools and training needed to turn satellite data into strategic decisions that improve lives.
It began in May 2023, when TBI introduced the Planet platform to the Zanzibar Commission for Lands. A trial was set up and, with support from the Zanzibar Planning Commission (ZPC), a clear pathway emerged. What followed was rapid collaboration and capacity-building. More than 50 officials were trained through technical workshops. By February 2024, collaboration between TBI, the government of Zanzibar and Planet was formalised, and a dedicated GIS consultant joined ZPC to embed geospatial thinking into government planning.
This wasn’t just a tech upgrade; it was about building skills, aligning innovation with local priorities and advancing the Zanzibar Development Vision 2050.
Collaboration at the Core
With ZPC’s leadership, the pilot united ministries, departments and agencies around a shared goal: using geospatial data to tackle real-world challenges. As a decision-making tool, geospatial data are assets that offer concrete data points and visual insights to bring greater precision, evidence and clarity to complex decisions. Three technical workshops held in 2024 addressed issues such as coastal degradation and urban sprawl – turning satellite data into shared insight and coordinated action.
Participants were drawn from across government, from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, as well as academic institutions, digital agencies and international partners such as the World Bank.
Innovation Grounded in Real Challenges
Rather than impose solutions, TBI worked with stakeholders to identify real-world, high-impact challenges where GIS could make a difference. Together, they developed project concepts focused on four key areas:
Coastal-erosion monitoring: With near-daily updates from satellite imagery, Zanzibar can now monitor coastal changes in real time, enabling proactive planning and climate-adaptation strategies.
Urban planning and infrastructure development: By layering census data over satellite imagery, planners can visualise population growth, track housing developments, and strategically site new infrastructure, such as schools, clinics and roads, where it is needed most.
Marine mapping: Accurate geospatial data are now being used to map and manage marine ecosystems, supporting sustainable fisheries and ocean conservation.
Mangrove protection: Satellite tools have enhanced Zanzibar’s ability to track mangrove health, detect illegal deforestation and safeguard critical coastal ecosystems.
One breakthrough came when Tanzania’s 2022 census data were geo-referenced and integrated into the project. Anchoring the data to exact locations created a new layer of analysis for government planners, helping them see where people live, how they move and what they need. Layering that information on to infrastructure networks turned raw data into real-time insight, highlighting health-service gaps, overcrowded schools or underserved communities.
A Blueprint for Smarter Governance
The project’s impact is already visible. Along Bwejuu’s coastline, real-time satellite monitoring helps communities prepare for rising tides. In Kisauni, census and satellite data guide the placement of new clinics and schools for fast-growing neighbourhoods. Around the Mnemba marine zone, mapping supports sustainable fishing. And in the mangrove belts of Paje and Michamvi, authorities are using satellite insights to crack down on illegal deforestation.
These geospatial tools are transforming how decisions are made – and, more importantly, who benefits from them. According to Dr Rahma Mahfoudh, executive secretary of the Zanzibar Planning Commission, “by integrating [Planet’s] spatial data with key planning insights, GIS empowers us to allocate development resources efficiently, improve infrastructure and promote environmental sustainability.” She says the technology has already become central to the way the commission operates. “GIS is an indispensable tool for the Zanzibar Planning Commission, helping us make informed, data-driven decisions that shape the future of Zanzibar. As we handle the challenges of urbanisation and growth, GIS remains a cornerstone in ensuring that Zanzibar’s development is both strategic and sustainable.”
Building on this momentum, Zanzibar is now entering the next phase of its geospatial journey. The focus now is on scaling what works, embedding GIS into daily operations and continuing to grow local expertise for long-term impact. TBI remains committed to working alongside Zanzibar’s institutions every step of the way.
Reimagining the State – One Map at a Time
Zanzibar’s GIS journey is more than a technical upgrade. It’s a story about how the right information, in the right hands, can drive smarter planning, more inclusive policies and better outcomes for citizens. As more governments embrace digital governance and data-led development, Zanzibar’s experience offers a powerful example of what’s possible.
This pilot shows that digital governance, when done right, can be locally led, deeply inclusive and radically transformative. By combining global innovation with local ambition, Zanzibar is reimagining what governance can look like in the 21st century.