Zanzibar’s Domino Tower: A Vision for Africa’s Second Tallest Skyscraper
Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous archipelago off Tanzania’s coast, is poised to make a bold architectural statement with the proposed Zanzibar Domino Commercial Tower. Envisioned as Africa’s second tallest skyscraper, this ambitious project aims to transform the island into a global tourism and economic hub while showcasing innovative design on a man-made island. Below, we explore the details, significance, and challenges of this groundbreaking development.
Project Overview
The Zanzibar Domino Commercial Tower, designed by New York and Dubai-based architecture firm xCassia, is a 70-story, 370,000-square-meter mixed-use development inspired by the cascading form of stacked dominoes. The $1.3 billion project, a collaboration between Tanzania’s AICL Group and Edinburgh’s Crowland Management Ltd., will rise on an artificial island 15 kilometers from Zanzibar’s UNESCO World Heritage site of Stone Town. Key features include:
- Luxury Accommodations: 560 residential apartments and 5- and 6-star hotels with spa facilities.
- Tourism and Leisure: A marina for yachts and cruise ships, a golf course, a wedding chapel on a private islet, and an observation deck offering panoramic views.
- Commercial and Cultural Hub: Retail, entertainment, and conferencing facilities aimed at positioning Zanzibar as a global destination for tourism and business.
The design, composed of 360 “keys” spiraling toward the sky, draws inspiration from a game of dominos played by xCassia’s founder, Jean-Paul Cassia, with his family in Paris in 2009. Cassia describes the tower’s “mathematical order and geometries found in nature” as evoking “growth, progress, and freedom,” making it a potential icon for Zanzibar and Tanzania.
Context and Purpose
The Domino Tower is part of Zanzibar’s “Blue Economy” strategy, which seeks to revitalize tourism—a critical sector decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic—through bold infrastructure investments. Zanzibar’s turquoise waters, spice plantations, and historic charm already attract visitors, but the tower aims to elevate the archipelago into a premier global destination. Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga, Zanzibar’s Minister of State for Labor, Economy, and Investment, emphasized that the project will bolster efforts to attract local and foreign investors.
The tower is expected to surpass South Africa’s 227-meter Leonardo Building in Sandton, becoming Africa’s second tallest skyscraper behind Egypt’s 393.8-meter Iconic Tower in the New Administrative Capital.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite its ambition, the Domino Tower faces significant hurdles:
- Financial Viability: At $1.3 billion, the project’s cost exceeds 60% of Zanzibar’s 2021–2022 annual budget of $3.17 billion. Securing funding for such a massive undertaking in a region with economic constraints raises questions about feasibility.
- Environmental Impact: Building on a man-made island in the Indian Ocean poses risks, particularly with rising sea levels due to climate change. The project must address flooding and ecological concerns to ensure sustainability.
- Project History: The Domino Tower concept was previously proposed for Ha Long Bay, Vietnam (99 stories, 1,772 feet) and Saudi Arabia but was shelved due to height, budget, and infrastructure challenges. These past setbacks highlight potential risks for the Zanzibar iteration.
- Construction Timeline: No official start date has been announced, and construction is estimated to take four years once initiated, leaving uncertainty about when or if the project will materialize.
Significance and Potential Impact
If completed, the Zanzibar Domino Tower could redefine the archipelago’s skyline and economy. Its mixed-use design aims to create a self-contained destination, offering year-round experiences for tourists, residents, and businesses. Emmanuel Umoh, CEO of Crowland Management Ltd., described the tower as a “unique project” aligned with “strategic socio-economic projects that leverage prosperity, people, and the planet.”
The tower’s iconic design and strategic location could also elevate Africa’s presence in global architecture. As the continent sees a “skyscraper race” with projects like Egypt’s Iconic Tower and Ivory Coast’s F Tower, Zanzibar’s Domino Tower positions Tanzania as a contender in this architectural renaissance.
Current Status and Sentiment
As of July 2, 2025, the Domino Tower remains in the planning phase, with no confirmed construction start date. Posts on X reflect ongoing interest, with some users highlighting its potential to symbolize rapid urbanization in Sub-Saharan Africa, while others note the funding and environmental challenges. Sentiment is mixed, blending excitement for its ambition with skepticism about its feasibility.
Conclusion
The Zanzibar Domino Commercial Tower is a visionary project that could transform Zanzibar into a global tourism powerhouse and claim the title of Africa’s second tallest skyscraper. Its innovative design, inspired by the humble domino, carries the promise of economic growth and cultural significance. However, significant financial, environmental, and logistical challenges must be addressed for this dream to become reality. As Zanzibar navigates these hurdles, the Domino Tower remains a symbol of bold ambition in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
