The first IIT campus outside of India will be in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The Ministry of Education (MoE), IIT Madras, and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) Zanzibar- Tanzania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of an IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar- Tanzania in the presence of Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, and Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister.

This campus serves as a reminder of India's emphasis on strengthening people-to-people ties throughout Africa and the Global South. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, High Commissioner of India in Tanzania, Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean (Global Engagement), IIT Madras, and Mr. Khalid Masoud Wazir, Acting Principal Secretary, MoEVT Zanzibar- Tanzania, respectively, signed the MoU on behalf of the MoE, India, IIT Madras, and MoEVT Zanzibar- Tanzania.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focuses on Internationalization and recommends that "High performing Indian universities will be encouraged to set up campuses in other countries”. Recognizing the strategic partnership between Tanzania and India, the relationship of educational partnership has been formalized by signing the document which provides the framework for the Parties to detail the setting up of the proposed campus of IIT Madras in Zanzibar- Tanzania, with plans to launch programs in October 2023, according to an MEA statement.

This unique partnership will bring the top-ranked educational expertise of IITM to a prime destination in Africa and serve the imperative current needs of the region. The academic programs, curricula, student selection aspects and pedagogical details will be by IIT Madras, whereas the capital and operating expenditure will be met by the government of Zanzibar-Tanzania.

IIT Madras degrees will be awarded to the students enrolled in this campus. The state-of-the-art interdisciplinary degrees are expected to attract a diverse cohort and will include students from Africa and other countries as well. 

The setting up of IIT Campus shall also enhance India’s reputation globally and its diplomatic relationships and expand the international footprint of IIT Madras. 

IIT campus in Zanzibar- Tanzania, is envisioned as a world-class higher education and research institution with a broader mission to develop competencies in response to emerging global requirements, deepen ties between the nations, and support research and innovation in the region.