By Business Insider Reporter
The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) has received science laboratory buildings and a new School of Agriculture building valued at TZS32 billion, marking a major investment in higher education infrastructure, research and skills development in the isles.
The facilities were officially handed over on October 20, 2026, at the university’s main campus in Tunguu, South Unguja, under the government’s Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project.
Amos John Henock, Deputy Principal Secretary for Administration in Zanzibar’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, who officiated at the handover, said the infrastructure would strengthen practical learning, scientific research and the application of technology while supporting productivity in the agricultural sector and the Blue economy at large.
He said the laboratories and facilities designed to meet academic requirements would give students greater opportunities to acquire hands-on experience, conduct research and develop skills relevant to the labour market and community development.
SUZA Vice-Chancellor Prof Said Ali Hamad Vuai described the completion of the buildings as an important step towards improving teaching and learning conditions, expanding student admission capacity and strengthening the university’s academic programmes.
The handover comes as SUZA marks 25 years since its establishment, providing an opportunity to assess its development and set priorities for the next phase of growth.
According to the university, the project began on December 4, 2024, and was completed on September 30, 2026. Mohammedi Builders Ltd was the contractor, while Arques Africa served as the consulting firm.
Mr Henock commended the university management, its council, the contractor and the consultant for their contributions to the project. He also urged the contractor to remain available during the transition to address any challenges arising as the university begins using the facilities.
He called on lecturers, students and other users to maintain the buildings and use them effectively to achieve the intended educational and research outcomes.
Linking higher education to economic transformation
The investment is part of the wider HEET programme, supported by the World Bank through the government of Tanzania, to improve the quality and relevance of higher education in the country.
The programme seeks to strengthen university learning environments, align academic programmes with labour-market requirements and improve the management of the higher education system. It combines infrastructure investment with interventions in curricula, teaching methods, digital technology and institutional capacity.
SUZA has been allocated US$20 million under HEET, with interventions covering infrastructure development, curriculum improvement and innovative teaching, digital technology and staff and leadership capacity-building. The university’s Tunguu investment is intended to do more than provide additional teaching space. By strengthening facilities for science, ICT and agriculture, it creates an opportunity to connect academic learning with applied research and the skills required in productive sectors.
