World Mobile Group, a global mobile network that integrates renewable energy with blockchain technology, partnered with E-Government Agency Zanzibar (eGAZ) and Input Output Global (IOG), the company behind the Cardano blockchain, to establish a blockchain-solutions hub in Zanzibar. As a result of the partnership, World Mobile Group will provide connectivity with its community-owned telecoms infrastructure and hybrid cost-effective telecom networks. Along with IOG and the E-Government Agency of Zanzibar, a system will be implemented where governance practices can efficiently bridge the digital gap.

“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 center is exciting,” says John O’Connor of IOG. “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.”

Only 22 percent of Africa has access to the internet, according to International Finance Corporation, and that holds the continent back in terms of education, economic development, and growth. Zanzibar has many potential employment opportunities in ocean-based activities, which employs around 33 percent of its labor force. Lacking the technological infrastructure, however, Zanzibar has fallen significantly behind in developing its blue economy and cannot fulfill its potential growth.

The goal of the joint initiative spearheaded by World Mobile, IOG, and eGAZ’s is to expand Zanzibar’s blue economy, which will trickle down to other parts of the economy such as tourism, agriculture, and telecommunications, helping actualize the vision of the Zanzibar Blue Economy. Through the collaboration, Zanzibar will become a blockchain leader by becoming a hub for events, conferences, and tech research development, where experts from all over the world will come together.

The first phase of this initiative focuses on education by launching a blockchain academy, developing a joint program for students, and bringing talent back to Zanzibar. By Spring 2022, the blockchain academy will hold conferences that will attract experts from around the world.

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

“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.”