Unguja British company SMEC UK, a subsidiary of Australian engineering consultancy SMEC has been selected to provide designs for Zanzibar’s rural roads infrastructure.
As part of the contractual obligations the company will undertake the preliminary and detailed engineering design of two crucial roads on the island: the 12-kilometer Fumba-Kisauni Road and the 48-kilometer Tunguu-Makunduchi Road.
The company’s statement comes a few days after President Hussein Mwinyi assured a gathering of CCM members that plans for the construction had been completed and the contractor would soon start work that is set to open up the Makunduchi area.
“This road, as the minister said here will be one of a kind, apart from the four lanes, it will have street lighting all the way from Mwanakwerekwe up to Makunduchi,” said President Mwinyi.
This landmark project, supported by the UK’s Export Finance (UKEF), is part of Zanzibar’s broader Vision 2050 plan to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic development.
The funding agreement that includes other roads in Pemba was signed in July 2023.
It aims to improve infrastructure in both urban and rural areas, supporting the growth of tourism, trade, and regional mobility.
The total construction timeline for the project is estimated at three years, with the design phase expected to be completed within the first six months.
SMEC will deploy a team of road design experts based in the region who will collaborate closely with road’s contractor MECCO and local stakeholders.
The company it its statement said they will leverage both local knowledge and international best practices, with the aim of deliver sustainable, cost-effective solutions that align with Zanzibar’s long-term development goals.
The design will focus on expanding the existing two-lane roads into modern four-lane dual carriageways, significantly enhancing capacity and traffic flow.
Additionally, the project will incorporate modern infrastructure, such as street lighting, pedestrian paths, and dedicated bus stops, which will contribute to safer and more efficient transport for all road users.
The roads will also improve access to rural communities, benefiting local economies by facilitating better trade and mobility.
Nasser Harrasy, SMEC’s Regional Director for Clients and Partnerships, highlighted the importance of the project in shaping the future of Zanzibar’s infrastructure.
“This initiative will introduce optimized design standards that account for projected traffic growth, safety enhancements, and multimodal transport solutions,” Harrasy said.
“SMEC is committed to adding value through sustainable approaches and building local capacity, ensuring that the benefits of this project are felt by Zanzibar’s communities for many years to come.”
The road upgrade is just one aspect of a larger effort to modernize Zanzibar’s infrastructure. SMEC previously led the design for the island’s first flyovers, part of an urban road rehabilitation program aimed at alleviating congestion in Zanzibar’s growing cities.
This latest project continues SMEC’s long-standing commitment to enhancing road infrastructure across the region, with a focus on improving connectivity, safety, and quality of life for all residents.
By improving road infrastructure, Zanzibar is poised to unlock significant economic opportunities, particularly in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and trade.
The upgraded roads will not only make travel easier but also enhance the island’s overall appeal as a regional hub for business and tourism, supporting Zanzibar’s ambitious economic growth targets for 2050.
