World Mobile Group, a global mobile network combining renewable energy with blockchain technology is collaborating with E-Government Agency Zanzibar (eGAZ) together with Input Output Global (IOG), a leader in blockchain solutions and digital identity, to create long-term blockchain solutions for Zanzibar and position it as tomorrow’s blockchain hub.

According to the partners ocean-based activities contribute over 29% of Zanzibar’s GDP and employ around 33% of its labour force. Yet the country hasn’t realised its full potential as a blue economy due to a lack of infrastructure and an inability to compete with developed nations.

For the country to unleash the more rapid and expansive growth of its blue economy, Zanzibar needs the technological infrastructure to create more sustainable blue-economy policies and enhance the communications in and between blue enterprises, they add.

World Mobile Group and IOG now offer the framework for such an infrastructure with proposed blockchain solutions.

As part of the collaboration, World Mobile Group will provide connectivity in the country with its community-owned telecoms infrastructure and hybrid cost-effective telecom networks. Along with IOG, the company will collaborate with the E-Government Agency of Zanzibar to implement a system of more efficient and effective governance practices to bridge the digital gap.

The collaboration positions Zanzibar as a blockchain leader by developing a tech research and development centre, as well as a hub for events, conferences, and experts who will flock to Zanzibar from all over the world.

The long-term collaboration rolls out four initiatives staged over time to create blockchain solutions, starting with foundation building:

• The first phase focuses on education by launching a blockchain academy, developing a joint program for students, and bringing back talent to Zanzibar. Starting in Spring 2022, the blockchain academy will hold conferences attracting experts from around the world.

• The second phase creates an E-gov solution, with IOG implementing blockchain in registry systems in the form of digital identifications with traceability. The integration of back-end government systems will enable business-process automation and facilitate communication.

Ultimately, the initiative will expand Zanzibar’s blue economy and lead to a larger economic shift that will permeate into other parts of the economy, such as tourism, agriculture, and telecommunications, according to stakeholders.

“Zanzibar is on its path to becoming Africa’s blockchain hub and we are thrilled to help make it a reality, sending ripple effects across the region,” says Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile Group. “Together with IOG, our efforts to connect the unconnected will enhance Zanzibar’s blue economy.”

John O’Connor of IOG says, “We are committed to Africa in the long-term, so being able to provide the tools that will turn Zanzibar into a well-developed blockchain centre is exciting. With our blockchain implementation of registry systems, the people of Zanzibar are moving closer to a new reality that will benefit all aspects of the economy.”

Said Seif Said, Director General of The E-Government Agency of Zanzibar, adds, “We are excited to shine a spotlight on Zanzibar’s emerging potential as the blockchain centre of the future, starting with a proposed blockchain conference hosted by our brand new blockchain academy. With this collaboration with World Mobile and IOG we will be looking to bring back talent to Zanzibar and we are looking forward to reaping the fruits of this spectacular initiative.”