Info Sheet: Seaweed Farming Transformation in Zanzibar

Seaweed is more than a crop. It is a source of livelihoods, nutrition, climate solutions and opportunity.

In Zanzibar, where over 80% of seaweed farmers are women, the Joint SDG Fund and partners are working to turn this traditional practice into a competitive blue economy industry.

Launched in August 2025, the Joint Programme Transforming Seaweed Farming through Integrated Financial Solutions for Enhanced Food Systems in Zanzibar is empowering 15,000 farming households in Unguja and Pemba to boost their incomes, strengthen cooperatives and access new markets. By connecting farmers to finance, skills and infrastructure, the programme is addressing systemic challenges from high post-harvest losses to limited value addition and creating lasting pathways for inclusive growth and climate resilience.

Originally published by UN Tanzania.

Note:

All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.