Aninver Awarded New UNIDO Contract in Zanzibar to Advance Sustainable Tourism
Aninver to support UNIDO’s iCOAST project in Zanzibar, advancing sustainable tourism through local sourcing, gender, and green practices.
We are proud to announce that Aninver Development Partners has been awarded a new contract by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Zanzibar, marking our second collaboration with UNIDO.
Earlier this year, we partnered in Belize on a pioneering project to develop the Blue Economy, and now we are extending that collaboration into the tourism sector in Africa.
This is the second project to be executed by Aninver with the UN conglomerate and we are glad that UNIDO trusted us for this important assignment.
The iCOAST Project: Transforming Tourism in Zanzibar
The assignment forms part of the Integrated Collaborative Approaches to Sustainable Tourism (iCOAST) project. Its overarching goal is to transform the tourism industry into a driver of sustainability by reducing pollution, protecting biodiversity, and creating inclusive local livelihoods
Tourism is central to Zanzibar’s economy, but like many destinations, it faces challenges of high resource consumption, heavy reliance on imports, and growing environmental pressures. The iCOAST project responds to these challenges by focusing on the high-end tourism segment, where interventions can significantly reduce energy, water, and waste footprints while stimulating local supply chains
Our Role in the Project
Over the coming months, Aninver will:
- Establish a solid technical baseline of Zanzibar’s tourism sector, including data on infrastructure, supply chains, and sustainability practices.
- Assess high-end hotels and their supply chains, identifying opportunities for local sourcing, waste reduction, and improved environmental and social performance.
- Propose pilot projects with hotels and suppliers that promote eco-friendly practices and circular economy solutions.
- Conduct gender and social risk analyses, ensuring inclusivity and equitable benefits in the sector’s transition to sustainability.
- Engage local authorities and communities to align pilot projects with policies and foster lasting institutional support
These activities will provide UNIDO with the evidence base and actionable recommendations needed to design interventions that balance economic competitiveness with environmental stewardship.
Building on Our Experience
This initiative is fully aligned with Aninver’s expertise at the intersection of tourism, sustainability, and development. Over the past decade, we have worked extensively across Africa advising governments, development banks, and private sector stakeholders on strategies that drive inclusive growth, create jobs, and protect ecosystems.
Our experience in knowledge management, sustainability assessments, and value chain development ensures that we can deliver actionable insights and innovative pilot solutions. The Zanzibar iCOAST project builds on this foundation, positioning us to make a meaningful contribution to sustainable tourism in Africa.
From Africa to the Caribbean, Aninver remains committed to supporting the transformation of tourism into a driver of sustainability and prosperity. This new project with UNIDO is another step in that journey, helping ensure that tourism in Zanzibar not only attracts visitors but also benefits communities, empowers women, and safeguards the natural environment for generations to come.
