The United Republic of Tanzania is poised to make a significant advance in safeguarding its vital coastal and marine ecosystems worldwide, following the recent approval by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council of the Sustainable Management of Critical Coastal Habitats in Tanzania Project. The initiative, implemented by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in partnership with the Vice President’s Office and UNDP Tanzania, aims to bolster ecosystem resilience, promote community-led ecological mangrove restoration, and broaden inclusive blue economy opportunities in key coastal and marine habitats within Tanzania’s Tanga-Pemba Seascape.

With a total project budget of US$6 million, the initiative will concentrate on some of the Western Indian Ocean’s most ecologically significant seascapes—areas featuring extensive mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and vital fisheries nursery grounds. These ecosystems support around 15 million people and underpin local livelihoods, cultural heritage, and Tanzania’s broader blue economy goals.

“This project comes at a crucial moment, supporting national efforts to protect biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and expand sustainable blue economy opportunities for coastal communities,” said Mr Shigeki Komatsubara, UNDP Tanzania Resident Representative. “Tanzania’s coastal ecosystems are among the country’s most valuable natural assets. UNDP is proud to partner with the Government and the GEF to ensure these habitats continue to thrive for future generations.”

The project will operate across eight priority coastal districts in mainland Tanzania and Pemba, including: Mainland (Kinondoni, Tanga, Mkinga, Muheza, and Pangani); Pemba (Chakechake, Wete, and Mkoani).  Other covered areas are Marine Protected Areas, Marine Conservation Areas, Collaborative Fisheries Management Areas, and the Pemba Channel Conservation Area. Interventions will help strengthen governance systems, improve ecosystem monitoring, expand marine spatial planning, and restore mangrove, seagrass, and coral habitats. The initiative will also support inclusive livelihood diversification—particularly for women, youth, and artisanal fishers—and advance nature-positive enterprises, including sustainable seaweed farming, eco-tourism, and community-led fisheries management.

“Healthy coastal ecosystems are essential to Tanzania’s food security, economic growth and climate resilience,” said a representative of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries “This initiative enables us to scale up integrated habitat management and strengthen community-driven stewardship across the coastline.”

As noted by the GEF CEO Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, “Tanzania’s Tanga–Pemba Seascape is one of the country’s most valuable ecosystems, and millions of people rely on its natural resources for their livelihoods. By working hand in hand with communities and empowering them to become guardians of the ocean, this project will help restore this rich habitat while creating economic opportunities that reinforce nature-positive benefits for all.”

Aligned with Tanzania’s National Blue Economy Policy, National Mangrove Management Plan, National Climate Change Strategy, and marine spatial planning processes, the initiative will contribute directly to SDG 14 (Life Below Water), the Convention on Biological Diversity, and multiple global climate and biodiversity commitments.

The project also intends to foster circular-economy opportunities by identifying waste-to-resource solutions that directly reduce pressure on coastal ecosystems and provide opportunities for green jobs, including, among others, community recycling hubs, eco-material production for habitat restoration, and low-impact fishing and tourism innovations. 

The project is expected to benefit more than 14,600 people, directly and indirectly, with a strong focus on women, youth, and marginalised coastal groups.

Global environmental benefits include:

• Improved management effectiveness of globally important coastal ecosystems

• Restored mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef habitats

• Increased blue-carbon sequestration

• Reduced drivers of ecosystem degradation

• Strengthened climate resilience for coastal communities

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Media Contact:

Sawiche Wamunza

Head of Communications, UNDP Tanzania

Email: Sawiche.wamunza@undp.org | Tel: +255 752 869 542

Website: https://www.undp.org/Tanzania

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our network of partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Visit www.undp.org.

About the Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) comprises several multilateral funds that work together to address the planet's most pressing challenges in an integrated way. Its financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and work towards meeting international environmental goals. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $27 billion in financing, primarily in the form of grants, and mobilised an additional $154.7 billion for country-driven priority projects.