Unguja. Zanzibar is boosting its economic ambitions through a new partnership with Bpifrance, the French Public Investment Bank. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on April 10, 2025, aims to attract French investment and expertise to the Isles, potentially creating new opportunities for Tanzanians.
The deal targets key sectors like tourism, technology, and fisheries – all vital to Zanzibar’s economy and potential sources of employment for Tanzanians.
Bpifrance will offer financing options to French companies operating in Zanzibar, which could lead to more projects and partnerships involving local businesses.
The partnership aims to foster a stronger business environment in Zanzibar, potentially leading to more job opportunities for Tanzanians, especially in the targeted sectors.
The MoU includes provisions for knowledge exchange and training programs, which could benefit Tanzanian entrepreneurs and professionals.
The Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA), executive director Saleh Saad Mohamed, emphasized the importance of the MoU in attracting investment and aligning with Zanzibar’s goal of becoming a top investment destination.
French Ambassador to Tanzania, Anne-Sophie Avé, remarked that the MoU signifies the beginning of a concrete partnership rooted in trust and ambition, aiming to unlock new opportunities for both French and Zanzibari businesses .
“With this MoU, we are opening the door to meaningful projects that can drive real change in business. In innovation we are unlocking new opportunities for French and Zanzibari entrepreneurs alike.
It reflects our shared ambition to build sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships, and I am particularly proud to witness this dynamic cooperation take shape in such a strategic and forward-looking way,” she said.
The partnership signifies Zanzibar’s proactive approach to attracting foreign investment and diversifying its economy.
By partnering with a major French investment bank, Zanzibar hopes to unlock new opportunities for growth and development, with potential benefits for the wider Tanzanian economy.
The focus on sectors like sustainable tourism and technology aligns with Tanzania’s own development goals, making this partnership one to watch.
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Air Tanzania Banned From EU Airspace Due to Safety Concerns
Several airports have since locked Air Tanzania, dealing a severe blow to the Tanzanian national carrier that must now work overtime to regain its certification or go the wet lease way
The European Commission has announced the inclusion of Air Tanzania on the EU Air Safety List, effectively banning the airline from operating in European airspace.
The decision, made public on December 16, 2024, is based on safety concerns identified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which also led to the denial of Air Tanzania’s application for a Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation.
The Commission did not go into the specifics of the safety infringement but industry experts suggest it is possible that the airline could have flown its Airbus A220 well past its scheduled major checks, thus violating the airworthiness directives.
“The decision to include Air Tanzania in the EU Air Safety List underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards for passengers in Europe and worldwide,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
“We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift and decisive action to address these safety issues. I have offered the Commission’s assistance to the Tanzanian authorities in enhancing Air Tanzania’s safety performance and achieving full compliance with international aviation standards.”
Air Tanzania has a mixed fleet of modern aircraft types including Boeing 787s, 737 Max jets, and Airbus A220s.
It has been flying the B787 Dreamliner to European destinations like Frankfurt in Germany and Athens in Greece and was looking to add London to its growing list with the A220.
But the ban not only scuppers the London dream but also has seen immediate ripple effect, with several airports – including regional like Kigali and continental – locking out Air Tanzania.
Tanzania operates KLM alongside the national carrier.
The European Commission said Air Tanzania may be permitted to exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft of an air carrier which is not subject to an operating ban, provided that the relevant safety standards are complied with.
A wet lease is where an airline pays to use an aircraft with a crew, fuel, and insurance all provided by the leasing company at a fee.
Two more to the list
The EU Air Safety List, maintained to ensure passenger safety, is updated periodically based on recommendations from the EU Air Safety Committee.
The latest revision, which followed a meeting of aviation safety experts in Brussels from November 19 to 21, 2024, now includes 129 airlines.
Of these, 100 are certified in 15 states where aviation oversight is deemed insufficient, and 29 are individual airlines with significant safety deficiencies.
Alongside Air Tanzania, other banned carriers include Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), Avior Airlines (Venezuela), and Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran).
Commenting on the broader implications of the list, Tzitzikostas stated, “Our priority remains the safety of every traveler who relies on air transport. We urge all affected airlines to take these bans seriously and work collaboratively with international bodies to resolve the identified issues.”
In a positive development, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been cleared to resume operations in the EU following a four-year suspension. The ban, which began in 2020, was lifted after substantial improvements in safety performance and oversight by PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
“Since the TCO Authorisation was suspended, PIA and PCAA have made remarkable progress in enhancing safety standards,” noted Tzitzikostas. “This demonstrates that safety issues can be resolved through determination and cooperation.”
Another Pakistani airline, Airblue Limited, has also received EASA’s TCO authorisation.
Decisions to include or exclude airlines from the EU Air Safety List are based on rigorous evaluations of international safety standards, particularly those established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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The process involves thorough review and consultation among EU Member State aviation safety experts, with oversight from the European Commission and support from EASA.
“Where an airline currently on the list believes it complies with the required safety standards, it can request a reassessment,” explained Tzitzikostas. “Our goal is not to penalize but to ensure safety compliance globally.”
Airlines listed on the EU Air Safety List face significant challenges to their international operations, as the bans highlight shortcomings in safety oversight by their home regulatory authorities.
For Air Tanzania, this inclusion signals an urgent need for reform within Tanzania’s aviation sector to address these deficiencies and align with global standards.
The path forward will require immediate and sustained efforts to rectify safety concerns and regain access to one of the world’s most critical aviation markets.
Source: allafrica.com
