Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi has said the newly established Space Observation and Digital Exhibition Centre should be more than a stargazing facility, describing it as an investment that will unlock opportunities in education, employment, tourism, and technology for young people. He made the remarks while inaugurating the centre at Tunguu, South Unguja Region, on November 14, 2026. The centre is expected to serve as an open classroom for children and young people, providing practical science learning and an innovation hub.
The facility, equipped with a modern Ritchey-Chrétien telescope and a digital planetarium auditorium, is expected to create employment opportunities in astrophotography, planetarium operations, space data analysis, and telescope engineering. Zanzibar Astronomy and Space Science Association executive director, Ms Amina Ahmad, said the centre would also increase income for tour guides and drivers transporting visitors to Tunguu. She emphasized that space science is not a luxury, but a significant contributor to socio-economic development.
President Mwinyi urged the leadership of the Zanzibar Astronomy and Space Science Association to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage to explore the possibility of establishing a dedicated exhibition centre within the area. The proposed facility could house historical photographs, recorded audio archives, digital maps, documents, and other information. He believes this step will help preserve Zanzibar's historical heritage.
The Minister of Communication, Information Technology and Innovation, Dr Khalid Salum Mohamed, said the government regarded space science as a strategic sector rather than a form of entertainment. He emphasized that space education is not merely about observing stars and planets, but a broad field of knowledge contributing significantly towards socio-economic development. Dr Mohamed affirmed his ministry's readiness to partner with Zass to ensure the centre became a research and education hub.
Representing an Omani delegation, Oman Astronomical Society Chairman, Dr Ishaq Khalfan Al-Wari, said the project continued the longstanding friendship between Zanzibar and Oman, built through the sea and the stars. He added that the centre would position Zanzibar as a regional hub for space education and astrotourism, attracting visitors not only to its ocean and Stone Town but also to its skies.
Participating virtually, the Deputy Administrator of the US space agency, Nasa, Casey Swails, said the centre was much more than a building and a telescope. She emphasized that the future of space exploration ultimately depended on people and that science, technology, and research were important. Through Nasa's Artemis programme, the world was preparing to return humans to the Moon and lay the foundations for future journeys to Mars, an undertaking that required international collaboration.
President Mwinyi commended the young people and children who displayed scientific models during the event, saying their creativity demonstrated that Zanzibar had a generation capable of participating in global scientific advancement. He also thanked Mr Abdul Wahab for his dedication to establishing the centre without prioritizing financial gain. The centre is expected to boost youth opportunities, tourism, and jobs in Zanzibar.
Key points
- The Space Observation and Digital Exhibition Centre is equipped with a modern Ritchey-Chrétien telescope and a digital planetarium auditorium.
- The centre is expected to create employment opportunities in astrophotography, planetarium operations, space data analysis, and telescope engineering.
- The facility will serve as an open classroom for children and young people, providing practical science learning and an innovation hub.
