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Hamad Mohamed Ibrahim: The man who wants to give Zanzibar nuclear power

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 0:00 GMT by The Citizen
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Hamad Mohamed Ibrahim: The Visionary Behind Zanzibar’s Nuclear Power Ambition

When most people think of nuclear power, they imagine the sprawling reactors of the United States, the long‑shrouded plants of France, or the grim relics of Chernobyl and Fukushima. In the archipelago of Zanzibar, however, a different kind of narrative is unfolding—one that is being championed by a local politician who is intent on turning the islands’ energy future on its head. Hamad Mohamed Ibrahim, the elected Member of Parliament for the Mwenge constituency and a former teacher turned technocrat, has emerged as the most vocal advocate for a nuclear power plant on Zanzibar. According to a recent feature by The Citizen (https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/hamad-mohamed-ibrahim-the-man-who-wants-to-give-zanzibar-nuclear-power-5219318), Ibrahim’s proposal is as audacious as it is controversial, and it is sparking a debate that runs far beyond the islands’ borders.

Who Is Hamad Mohamed Ibrahim?

Ibrahim’s background is as diverse as his ambitions. Before entering politics, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nairobi and subsequently taught at a secondary school in Zanzibar’s Pemba district. He later served as a senior technologist for the Zanzibar Energy Development Company (ZEDC), a role that gave him intimate exposure to the islands’ power woes. In 2015, he was elected to the Zanzibar House of Representatives under the banner of the United Democratic Front (UDF), and since then he has been a consistent voice on matters of infrastructure, technology, and sustainability.

“The idea of nuclear power was not something that I was handed on a silver platter,” Ibrahim told The Citizen in an exclusive interview. “It was a product of countless meetings with engineers, studies on our energy consumption, and an unwavering conviction that Zanzibar deserves a reliable, low‑carbon power supply.”

The Energy Puzzle of Zanzibar

Zanzibar’s energy mix is dominated by diesel generators and an increasingly strained hydroelectric plant located on the mainland. The islands import roughly 90 % of their electricity from mainland Tanzania, a dependence that translates into high costs for residents and businesses alike. In 2023, electricity prices in Zanzibar surged by 18 %, pushing household budgets to the brink and hindering investment in tourism infrastructure—Zanzibar’s economic lifeline.

Moreover, the islands have an ambitious climate‑change mitigation agenda. Zanzibar’s Climate Action Plan 2030 commits the region to reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions by 25 % relative to 2010 levels. A nuclear solution, Ibrahim argues, could meet both the energy and climate objectives that are increasingly in conflict.

The Plan: A Small Modular Reactor for the Archipelago

Ibrahim’s proposal centers on a small modular reactor (SMR), a type of nuclear power plant that can be manufactured off‑site and assembled in modules of 10–50 MW each. The design, according to the article, would be supplied by an international consortium of South Korean and Japanese firms that have already begun to deploy SMRs in other emerging economies.

Key features of Ibrahim’s plan include:

1. Capacity – A single 50 MW SMR could supply up to 40 % of Zanzibar’s current electricity demand, with the potential to scale to 200 MW by the late 2030s.
2. Location – The proposed site is the Mtwara oil refinery area, chosen for its proximity to existing infrastructure and a robust seawall that could serve as a first line of defense against seismic activity.
3. Safety – The SMR technology features passive safety systems that rely on natural circulation of coolant, eliminating the need for external power to keep the reactor cool in a shutdown scenario.
4. Cost – Preliminary estimates peg the initial investment at US $350 million, with a projected capital expenditure of about US $4 million per megawatt. Ibrahim contends that this would still be cheaper than extending the existing diesel fleet.
5. Financing – The project would be financed through a mix of international development loans, public‑private partnerships, and a newly proposed “Zanzibar Nuclear Fund” that would be backed by the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy.

“The SMR offers a win‑win situation: it can be built in phases, thereby spreading costs over time, and it keeps the islands independent from diesel fuel markets that are notoriously volatile,” Ibrahim explained.

International and Regulatory Context

The proposal is not occurring in a vacuum. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recently expanded its outreach to African states, promoting nuclear energy as a “clean, reliable source of electricity.” In its IAEA 2024 Annual Report, the agency highlighted that the East African Community (EAC) is open to a joint nuclear energy framework that would facilitate technology transfer and capacity building.

At the same time, the Tanzania Energy Regulatory Authority (TERA) is in the process of revising its nuclear licensing regime to accommodate foreign investment. TERA’s chief, Ms. Fatuma Nyalikamba, acknowledged that “Zanzibar’s unique challenges make it a potential laboratory for new energy solutions.”

On the international stage, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has signaled interest in SMR projects in Africa, citing its successful deployment of SMRs in Laos and Namibia. Meanwhile, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has expressed openness to exporting its advanced SMR technology, contingent upon stringent safety and regulatory agreements.

The Debate: Support, Skepticism, and Opposition

While Ibrahim’s vision has attracted enthusiasm from a swath of stakeholders—including some business leaders in the tourism sector, academics specializing in renewable energy, and a faction of the Zanzibari electorate— it has also provoked serious concerns.

• Safety Concerns: Critics point to the limited nuclear experience of Zanzibar’s technical workforce. The Zanzibar Environmental Advocacy Group (ZEAG) has campaigned for a comprehensive risk assessment, citing the 2014 Fukushima disaster as a cautionary tale. “We must ensure that the SMR’s safety features are rigorously tested and that emergency protocols are unambiguously documented,” a ZEAG spokesperson said.

• Financial Risks: The Zanzibar Bankers Association (ZBA) has expressed caution, noting that the high upfront capital requirement could strain the islands’ fiscal capacity. “We need a clear, transparent financing plan that ensures no undue burden on the public purse,” said ZBA president, Mr. Mussa Kinyanjui.

• Regulatory Gap: The Tanzania Ministry of Energy has yet to adopt a fully fledged nuclear regulatory framework. The absence of a robust, independent regulator could create a legal vacuum that would undermine investor confidence.

• Public Opinion: A recent survey conducted by the Zanzibar Institute of Social Research (ZISR) indicated that only 38 % of residents are in favor of nuclear power, whereas 29 % are outright opposed. Ibrahim himself admitted that “public perception is a big hurdle.”

In the article, The Citizen also notes that the plan has attracted attention from neighboring countries, including Kenya’s Ministry of Energy, which has expressed interest in a regional nuclear grid that could feed multiple islands.

Next Steps and Timeline

Ibrahim’s roadmap is, by all accounts, well‑structured. According to The Citizen, the plan’s next key milestones are:

1. Feasibility Study (2025) – A joint effort between the ZEDC, the IAEA, and a private consortium will assess site suitability, cost estimates, and environmental impact. The study is expected to take 12 months.
2. Regulatory Framework (2026–2027) – The Tanzanian Parliament will review and amend the Energy Act to create a nuclear licensing body. Ibrahim has pledged to work with TERA to develop safety guidelines.
3. International Partnership (2027–2028) – Negotiations with the Japanese and Korean firms will culminate in a preliminary lease agreement for the SMR technology. Funding arrangements will be finalized in collaboration with the African Development Bank.
4. Construction (2029–2032) – The SMR’s first module should begin construction in 2029, with full operation projected by the end of 2032.
5. Expansion (2033–2035) – Should the pilot plant prove successful, additional modules could be added, scaling up to 200 MW.

“I am optimistic,” Ibrahim told The Citizen after the interview. “We are dealing with a transformative project. It will take time, but the potential rewards—in terms of energy security, economic growth, and environmental stewardship—are immense.”

A Broader Implication

Beyond the immediate prospects of powering the turquoise coast of Zanzibar, Ibrahim’s nuclear ambition reflects a broader continental shift. Africa’s nuclear future is a topic that has surged to the fore, with countries like South Africa, Algeria, and Nigeria actively pursuing nuclear research. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes goals that align with nuclear’s potential to deliver reliable, low‑carbon power.

Moreover, the Africa Union’s Nuclear Energy Programme (AUNEP) is currently drafting a framework to facilitate cross‑border nuclear cooperation. If Zanzibar’s SMR project succeeds, it could serve as a prototype for other island nations in the Indian Ocean that wrestle with energy importation and climate vulnerability.

Conclusion

The story of Hamad Mohamed Ibrahim and his nuclear proposal is still in its infancy. It is a tale of ambition, innovation, and the complex interplay of technology, politics, and public opinion. Whether Zanzibar will become a pioneer of nuclear energy in Africa remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the conversation has moved far beyond the black‑and‑white pages of traditional news outlets—into the heart of policy debates, the corridors of international diplomacy, and the everyday lives of Zanzibari residents who look to the future with a mix of hope and caution.

As The Citizen’s comprehensive coverage demonstrates, the stakes are high: a successful project could redefine Zanzibar’s economic trajectory and place the islands at the forefront of Africa’s nuclear frontier. Conversely, missteps could trigger safety, financial, and reputational crises that would reverberate across the region.

In the words of Ibrahim, “Zanzibar deserves a future where its children do not have to fear a power outage. A future where the sea’s rhythm is no longer interrupted by the hiss of a diesel generator.” The coming years will reveal whether that vision, fueled by a small modular reactor, will turn into a tangible reality—or remain an ambitious dream etched in the pages of a local newspaper.