It’s not Eco-tourism versus Eco-Industry: The Real Reasons Zanzibar May Never Cultivate Algae-Based Bio-fuel

The world is seized by finding the next clean source of energy. W hi le algae-based bio-fuel has captured the interest of small entrepreneurs and tech-savvy start-ups, it has also garnered the focused attention of the U.S. National Aviation and Space Agency - NASA, and global investment companies such as Goldman Sacs. Yet, Zanzibari women who have been cultivating algae for almost twenty years, and he Zanzibari government which knows the return on the investment, do not seem interested in cultivating algae-based bio-fuel. Exporting algae to East Asian nations for food stock and to Europe for cosmetic use, the Zanzibari algae program was born of a micro-credit project for unemployed local women. It is one of Zanzibar‘s success stories where local industry has developed a product worthy of international export. Further, the algae program has the support of a range of international agencies and multilateral governments. More compelling than any of these reasons, however, Zanzibaris may be loath to export a product whose demand could make it a ‘cash-crop.‘ Zanzibar‘s history own history with clove crop production and  Tanzania‘s recent and unsuccessful attempt to turn jatropha into the next bio-fuel has led Zanzibaris to truly value their small, woman-led eco success story.

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