Zanzibar:
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the SAGCOT Centre and Kilombero District, has taken the initiative to establish a Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) in Zanzibar. This platform aims to coordinate development projects and programs in Unguja North A and Unguja North B landscapes.
Recognizing that Zanzibar’s landscapes are facing severe degradation due to socio-economic activities, there is an urgent need for multi-stakeholder engagement to generate ideas for ecosystem restoration through the sustainable utilization of natural resources.
To support this effort, the Zanzibar team invited counterparts from the Kilombero Multi-Stakeholder Platform, which has been in place since 2017, on February 13th and 14th, 2025. The Morogoro regional government established the Kilombero MSP with SAGCOT partners, including AWF, IUCN, WWF, private sector companies, and the National Land Use Planning Commission. Its primary goal is strengthening stakeholder collaboration in conserving natural resources within the Kilombero landscape.
One of the key achievements of the Kilombero MSP has been aligning resources and efforts to ensure a healthy landscape that provides long-lasting ecosystem services. Recognizing this opportunity, the Zanzibar team established a similar MSP to achieve landscape restoration while creating economic opportunities for local communities.
The Zanzibar Landscape MSP initiative is being developed under the FOLUR project, funded by the GEF and implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, with support from WWF Tanzania. In the Kilombero MSP, the SAGCOT Centre is crucial in mobilizing strategic partnerships to strengthen and transform value chain development through public-private sector collaboration. Miza Suleiman Khamis, Chief Forest Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources, and Livestock, Department of Forestry, Zanzibar and Josepha Mgana, Forestry Officer from Kilombero District, Morogoro, participated in the meeting, among others.
“The Kilombero Forum has facilitated effective coordination of agriculture and conservation projects, enhancing stakeholder operations, particularly within the government, and preventing duplication of efforts,” noted John Nakei, Acting Head of Cluster Development at SAGCOT Centre.
