Dr Mwinyi also highlighted plans to empower farmers through productive agriculture initiatives.
Unguja. Zanzibar presidential candidate, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has pledged that his party, CCM, will run a campaign rooted in civility, unity, and direct engagement on issues affecting citizens, rather than personal attacks.
Dr Mwinyi made the remarks on September 12, 2025, during a press briefing in Unguja, where he also outlined his key priorities if elected for another term.
“Tomorrow we launch the campaign, but I urge my fellow candidates to focus on policies rather than spreading fear or unrest. We promise to clearly explain what we will deliver to citizens if they give us the mandate to lead again,” Dr Mwinyi said.
He noted that controlling inflation, which drives up the cost of living, will be a top priority, noting that to this end, the government plans to establish strategic storage facilities for food and fuel.
“First, we are launching a programme called the Strategic Food Reserve. This means we will have large warehouses to ensure sufficient food supply at all times, allowing citizens easy access to essential commodities,” he said.
Dr Mwinyi also highlighted plans to empower farmers through productive agriculture initiatives.
The government has already begun setting up improved irrigation infrastructure in rice-growing valleys.
In addition, farmers will receive high-quality seeds and fertilisers, with Sh5 billion allocated for the purchase of fertilisers.
“By doing all this, we create a supportive market environment for farmers. The government will sometimes buy and store food, boosting its income while also addressing potential shortages,” he said.
On the energy front, Dr Mwinyi shared promising developments regarding Zanzibar’s oil and gas potential.
Research by Rak Gas has completed preliminary 2D surveys, and another company is now set to advance exploration to the 3D stage.
“This is encouraging news. The gas reserves we are seeing could significantly transform Zanzibar’s economy, supporting electricity generation and fertiliser production. We have also engaged with Qatar, a leader in gas development, and they have shown interest in assisting us,” he said.
Dr Mwinyi acknowledged that while Zanzibar’s economy has grown impressively, inflation remains a challenge.
“When we assumed office, the economy was growing at 4 percent, but by 2024 it had reached 7.1 percent. Our goal now is to implement sustainable solutions to manage inflation,” he said.
