Salt, Sweat & Seaweed: The Women Powering Zanzibar’s Blue Economy

Our gaze on this International Women’s Day is turned to the turquoise shores of Zanzibar — where the ocean isn’t just a view; it is a workplace, a classroom, and a lifeline.

As we celebrate the 2026 IWD theme, “Give to Gain,” few stories capture the spirit of mutual investment and resilience better than the women of Zanzibar’s seaweed farms.

The Silent Architects of the Blue Economy

Every morning, as the tide retreats, thousands of women wade into the Indian Ocean — not to swim, but to farm. Seaweed farming has become the third-largest source of income in Zanzibar, and nearly 90% of its farmers are women.

For these entrepreneurs, seaweed is more than a crop. It is school fees. It is dignity. It is the independence to support a family in a society where formal female employment has historically been limited.

The Rising Tide of Challenges

As local leader Biubwa Omar highlights, this resilience is being tested. The challenges are as vast as the ocean itself:

• Climate Change: Warming waters are pushing seaweed production into deeper zones, yet many women lack the swimming skills or safety equipment to follow the crop.
• Infrastructure Gaps: From the absence of processing facilities to unstable market prices, the value chain often breaks before it reaches the farmer’s pocket.
• Physical Toll: Hours spent in saltwater lead to skin irritations and chronic back pain — a grim reality hidden behind postcard-perfect photographs.

Give to Gain: Investing in the Future

The 2026 theme #GiveToGain reminds us that when we invest support — through technology, training, or climate-resilient infrastructure — we gain a more stable and equitable world.

This transformation is unfolding in real time through initiatives like the United Nations Joint SDG Fund and local innovators. By providing solar dryers to prevent spoilage and safety training for deep-water farming, these programmes are turning labourers into business owners.

“If the goals discussed ahead of #COP30 succeed in ensuring support reaches communities directly, these women have the potential to become strong entrepreneurs and role models.” — Biubwa Omar

Beyond the Raw Crop

The future of Zanzibar’s seaweed industry lies not only in raw exports, but in value addition. Today, women are:

• Manufacturing — transforming seaweed into organic soaps, scrubs, and oils.
• Innovating — developing seaweed-based snacks and nutritional products.
• Leading — building cooperatives that earn them a seat at the international trade table.

A Call to Action

This International Women’s Day, let’s look beyond the surface. Let’s celebrate the grit of the women standing waist-deep in the Indian Ocean. Supporting them is not simply an act of charity — it is an investment in environmental stewardship and community resilience. When we give these women the tools to thrive, the whole world gains.