Authors
Dr. Fatma Dogeje
Senior Researcher, Blue Economy Policy Institute, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Dr. Mohammed Hafidh
Director of Policy Analysis, Ministry of Blue Economy, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Abstract
The Blue Economy (BE) has become a central pillar of Zanzibar's development strategy, as reflected in the Zanzibar Blue Economy Policy (2022), Zanzibar Development Plan (ZADEP 2021-2026), Vision 2050, and dedicated institutional arrangements including the Ministry responsible for blue economy. Since assuming office in 2020, the President of Zanzibar has placed the Blue Economy at the center of the islands' socio-economic transformation agenda. Despite this momentum, evidence suggests that the translation of BE promise into inclusive and sustainable socio-economic outcomes remains challenging, particularly for artisanal fishers, seaweed farmers, women, and youth. Using a systematic literature review (SLR) approach, the study synthesizes peer-reviewed studies, policy documents, and grey literature published between 2015-2025 focusing on the roles of information and communication technologies (ICTs), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain technologies in enhancing governance, livelihoods, sustainability, and resilience in the BE discourse. The review also underpinned by Socio-Technical Systems (STS) theory.
Keywords
Blue Economy Digitalization Internet of Things Blockchain Socio-Technical Systems Theory Zanzibar
How to Cite This Article
APA Citation
Faki, A. J. (2026). Digitalization and the Blue Economy in Zanzibar: The Role of ICTs, IoT, and Blockchain in Enhancing Governance, Livelihoods, and Sustainability. International Journal of Economics and Management Intellectuals, 2(1), 20-29.
Conclusion
This study set out to examine the digital dimension of the Blue Economy in Zanzibar, with particular attention to the roles of ICTs, IoT, and blockchain in enhancing governance, livelihoods, and sustainability. Drawing on empirical and review-based literature, the study concludes that digitalization holds significant potential to transform Zanzibar's Blue Economy from a resource-dependent model toward a more knowledge-driven, transparent, and resilient development pathway.
Digital technologies can improve fisheries monitoring, market access, traceability, and climate resilience, thereby contributing to sustainable livelihoods, youth employment, and environmental stewardship.
7. References
[1] Abdalla, A. T., Ibwe, K., Maiseli, B., Muhamed, D., & Alawi, M. (2022, December). Towards ICT-Driven Tanzania Blue Economy: The Role of Higher Learning Institutions in Supporting the Agenda. In International Conference on Infrastructure and e-Services for Developing Countries (pp. 487-497). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
[2] Ali, S. M., Bilame, O., & Ngusa, D. (2023). An assessment of the potentials of artisanal fisheries in spearheading the blue economy transformation in Zanzibar islands. Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 22(1), 23-35. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjass.v22i1.4
[3] Bolaky, B. I. N. E. S. W. A. R. E. E. (2020). Operationalizing blue economy in Africa: the case of South-West Indian Ocean. ORF Issue Brief, 398(398), 17. ISBN 978-93-90159-95-6
[4] Chandravanshi, S., Sudan, P., Bihari, K., Venkat, C. S. S., Sandeep, J. B., Yadav, B., Revathi, A., & Pugazhenthi, P. (2025). Digital innovations in fisheries and aquaculture: A systematic review of technologies, adoption, and socio-economic impacts. International Journal of Advanced Biochemical Research, 9(9), 336-343. https://www.doi.org/10.33545/26174693.2025.v9.9e.5642
[5] Doce, L. J. P., Catedrilla, J. M., Vega, C. J. B. D., Limpin, L. L., Ambalong, K. A., & Trillo, J. I. T. (2024). Exploring the nexus between the blue economy and information technologies: A systematic literature review of information systems in Pacific fisheries and aquaculture. Journal of Engineering, Environment, and Agriculture Research, 3(1), 46-54. https://doi.org/10.34002/jear.v3i1.67
[6] Dogeje, F. (2026). Empowering coastal economies: Gendered insights into women's participation in seaweed aquaculture in Zanzibar. Marine Policy, 183, 106900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2025.106900
[7] Dogeje, F., Msuya, F. E., Ngaruko, D., & Mohamed, A. S. (2025). Blue economy dynamics: does women's participation in seaweed aquaculture influence their income levels? Empirical evidence from Zanzibar. Aquaculture International, 33(1), 27.
[8] Hafidh, M. H. A., Salum, S. M., & Ali, M. A. Shariff. (2021). Zanzibar And the establishment of blue economy strategies. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review (Kuwait Chapter), 10(1), 10-15. SSN: 2617-3018
[9] Hilal, S., Bafadal, H., & Yulitasari, L. (2025). Blue Economy Optimization of Fishing Families in the Digital Era: An Applied Economics Approach. iEco | Islamic Economics Journal, 3(1), 157-172. https://doi.org/10.33545/26174693.2025.v9.9e.5642
[10] Jape, K. K. (2024). Exploring the role of social media platforms as a catalyst in Zanzibar's blue economy development. International Journal of Novel Research in Marketing Management and Economics, 11(1), 120-132. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10730997
[11] Khatib, M. M. (2025). Women's Inclusion in the Blue Economy in Zanzibar. Tanzania Journal of Development Studies, 23(1), 81-104. https://dx.doi.org/10.56279/NJY8787/TJDS.v23i1.5
[12] Makame, O. M., & Salum, L. A. (2021). Vulnerability of Fishing and Fisheries Sector to Climate Change and Non-climate Risks as Perceived by Fishermen in Zanzibar Coastal Villages. Carnets de Recherche's de l'océan Indian, Mutations et transitions dans l'océan Indian, 7, pp.165-183. ff10.26171/carnets-oi_0711ff. ffhal-03603618
[13] Mitula, M. G. (2023). A Study on the Importance of the Blue Economy Education to all Citizens of Zanzibar. The Journal of Maritime Science and Technology (JMST), 1(1), 21-26. https://journal.dmi.ac.tz
[14] Moolna, A., & Thompson, B. S. (2018). The blue economy approach for sustainability in Seychelles & East Africa. Keele University Institute for Sustainable Futures Discussion Paper, 1.
[15] Mussa, W. M., Jing, Z., Machochoki, A. S., & Bakari, S. J. (2021). Towards growth of the blue economy in Zanzibar: Potentials and challenges. International Journal of Scientific Advances, 2(3), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.51542/ijscia.v2i3.13
[16] Mwajande, F., & Rashidi, Y. R. (2025). Application of Social Life Cycle Assessment on Seaweed Farming Blue Economy in Zanzibar-Tanzania by 2025. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7241144/v1
[17] Nassir, M. N., Abdallah, Z. M., & Hafidh, H. A. (2022). Insight into the Utilization of the Blue Sources of Funds in Fisheries Investment as a Key Sector in Blue Economy in Zanzibar. Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research, 9(3), 112-125. DOI: 10.9734/AJFAR/2022/v17i230401
[18] Onyango, M. J. (2025). Effectiveness of Digital Technology in Enhancing Blue Tourism Sustainability in Tanzania. Journal of Management, and Development Research, 2(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.69739/jmdr.v2i1.191
[19] Rahman, A., Kanon, K. F., Islam, M. J., Mojumdar, S., Ashik, A. A., & Molla, M. H. R. (2022). Impacts of climate change on aquaculture and fisheries: an integrated approach for adaptation and mitigation. Journal of Biological Studies, 5(1), 171-188. https://doi.org/10.62400/jbs.v5i1.6623
[20] Said, S. S. (2023). Blue Economy Discourses for Effective Ocean Governance: A Case of Zanzibar (Master's thesis, University of Dodoma, Tanzania).
[21] Verma, S., & Sharma, M. Role of Digitalization in a Sustainable Blue Economy. International Journal of Teaching, Learning and Education, 4(3), 618013. https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijtle.4.3.5