SOLIDARITY LEVIES AIM TO SHARE THE BENEFITS OF
GLOBALISATION
This mechanism involves a surcharge on a major economic activity, enacted by a government and earmarked for a specific cause. For example, an air ticket levy has raised billions for UNITAID.
INVESTING IN ZANZIBAR SEAWEED FARMERS
A Path to More Prosperity.
The global seaweed industry is booming. It is on course to reach $30 billion by 2030. Pemba Island is home to more than 80% of the seaweed farming in Zanzibar. Nearly all seaweed is exported as a raw product at very low prices. The seaweed farmers - 90% of whom are women - earn meagre substance wages. We set out to change all that.
In cooperation with the Zanzibar Seaweed Company (ZASCO) and private investors, we are investing in a manufacturing plant for value-added processing of seaweed and seaweed biomass on Pemba Island.
The public-private partnership (PPP) operates under the name Pemba Blue Ltd. and includes an R&D laboratory focused on innovation and product development located on the main island Unguja and a certified manufacturing plant located on Pemba Island.
Pemba Blue is set to start operations in late summer 2025 and will produce high-value seaweed products, initially ingredients for the global food, beverage and cosmetics industries.
Investors & Partners:
Sustainability
Seaweed farming has a small environmental footprint and helps protect coastlines and the climate.
In addition, our production processes are zero waste.
Pure Pemba Seaweed
We use high-quality cottonii and spinosum seaweed varieties grown by women farmers in crystal clear waters off Pemba Island in Zanzibar.
Community Connection
Our project gives farmers share option in the venture and pays fair prices for seaweed set in cooperation with ZASCO.
A PERFECT VENTURE
The Zanzibar seaweed project exemplifies nearly perfectly the IFF philosophy: An innovative collaboration structure permits key actors across a value chain to bring to bear their expertise, networks and resources to create a profound, new and tangible development impact.
The Zanzibar venture touches a wide range of national and international priorities:
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Moves Zanzibar seaweed up the value chain from $2/kg to $300/kg;
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Creates export opportunities, expanding access to international markets;
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Creates new jobs;
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Generates higher incomes for women farmers and improves livelihoods;
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Strengthens gender equity and women businesses;
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Expands the Blue Economy and contributes to national development;
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Safeguards environmental sustainability from cultivation to processing;
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Protects ocean coastlines;
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Contributes to climate change mitigation.