China & Zanzibar: a new shipping line reshaping the future of East African real estate
13/09/2025 — By S. Deham
The launch of a direct maritime line between Jiaxing and Zanzibar goes far beyond logistics. It marks a strategic turning point: Zanzibar is emerging as an economic and real estate hub in the Indian Ocean.
Introduction: Zanzibar at the crossroads
On September 5, 2025, the cargo vessel Changsheng departed from Jiaxing (Zhejiang Province, China) bound for Zanzibar and Beira. This voyage inaugurates the first direct China–East Africa maritime connection.
➤ For Beijing: consolidating the Belt and Road Initiative. ➤ For Zanzibar: reclaiming its role as the Indian Ocean crossroads and attracting an unprecedented flow of capital and real estate projects.
1. The launch of the line: a powerful signal
A symbolic first voyage
The Changsheng carried 200 containers and over 1,000 m³ of cargo. The 25-day journey reduces reliance on transshipment hubs and intermediaries.
A Belt and Road link
China secures its trade flows, while Zanzibar gains international recognition. The island is projected as a regional exchange platform.
A historic crossroads revived
Once it was spices and ivory, today it is construction materials and industrial goods. Zanzibar reclaims its role as the bridge between Africa and Asia.
2. Opening a line = opening a continent
80% of Asia-bound oil transits the Indian Ocean (UNCTAD). Zanzibar becomes a strategic anchor point in this vital corridor.
- A The Indian Ocean: a theater of rivalry between China, India, and the US.
- B Zanzibar = a natural hub for East Africa’s 300M inhabitants.
- C The Zanzibar–Beira link connects to Southern Africa’s markets.
- D Clear message: confidence and attractiveness for investors.
3. New investors & opportunities for developers
A transforming market
The shipping line repositions Zanzibar from a peripheral stop to a central hub. Investors see an island where infrastructure matches ambition.
Tourism, culture & major events
With AFCON 2027 hosted in East Africa, proximity to the Kilimanjaro, and Stone Town’s cultural festivals, Zanzibar is attracting global demand for premium real estate.
Immediate opportunities
➤ High-end tourist villas ➤ Hotels and luxury resorts ➤ Retail and mixed-use spaces for East Africa’s growing middle class
4. Real estate competitiveness: a new era
Even without exact logistics cost data, the impacts are visible: faster supply chains, secure flows, and predictable construction schedules. For investors, this means reduced uncertainty and stronger ROI.
5. Zanzibar in China’s Africa strategy
In 2024, China invested over $10 billion in East Africa (African Development Bank). The Zanzibar line is part of this long-term trajectory.
➤ Beijing secures its maritime corridors. ➤ Zanzibar emerges as a showcase of China–Africa cooperation. ➤ Local real estate projects align with global, funded, sustainable growth.
6. Conclusion: Zanzibar, a crossroads for the future
The Jiaxing–Zanzibar–Beira shipping line is more than infrastructure: it is a foundational act for the island’s future. In four years, as real estate and tourism projects rise, this article may stand as a classic reference predicting a major transformation.
Zanzibar is at a turning point. For investors, it is not just an opportunity—it is a strategic inevitability.
