DAR ES SALAAM — Tanzania is seeking to expand business opportunities in coastal tourism and aquaculture through StawiBluu, a €16.5 million initiative designed to strengthen sustainable tourism and marine-based industries.
The programme, supported by the European Union and Germany, focuses on developing tourism, aquaculture and mariculture value chains. Its target areas include Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Unguja, Pemba and Mafia, where coastal enterprises could benefit from stronger business development support, market connections and investment opportunities.
For tourism operators, the initiative could help create opportunities for accommodation providers, tour companies, boat operators, restaurants and businesses supplying goods and services to visitors. Stronger connections with markets and investors could help local enterprises develop new products and expand their customer base.
Aquaculture and mariculture also offer opportunities beyond producing fish and other marine products. Businesses involved in processing, cold storage, packaging, transport and distribution can help producers bring goods to markets while improving quality and reducing losses.
Small and medium-sized enterprises may particularly benefit from support that helps them prepare business plans, strengthen financial management and demonstrate their readiness for investment. These capabilities can make it easier for businesses to approach potential financiers and commercial partners.
However, the project’s total value should not be interpreted as money that will automatically be distributed among individual businesses. Participation will depend on the programme’s implementation, eligibility criteria and available support mechanisms.
Sustainability will also be important to the sector’s long-term growth. Coastal tourism and marine production depend on healthy ecosystems, making responsible resource management essential to maintaining the industries on which local businesses rely.
For Tanzanian enterprises, the opportunity lies in turning coastal resources into competitive products and services that create value locally. If effectively implemented, stronger tourism and marine-based value chains could support business development, employment and a more diversified coastal economy.
