Under Sayyid Said Omani influence was on the rise in Zanzibar. Before this, the Portuguese invaded and defeated the local rulers of Zanzibar and took control of almost all the coast of East Africa between 15 to the 17th century. The Portuguese first conquered Zanzibar followed by the falling of other coastal settlements. However, Portuguese domination in the East African area was short lived as the Omani’s annexed Zanzibar and many other coastal towns to their empire that was ruled from Muscat before Zanzibar became the new capital.
Onafuye, P. (2019). THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SAYYID SAID TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ZANZIBAR IN THE 19TH CENTURY. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/the-contributions-of-sayyid-said-to-the-development-of-zanzibar-in-the-19th-century
Onafuye, Peace "THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SAYYID SAID TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ZANZIBAR IN THE 19TH CENTURY" Afribary. Afribary, 11 Jun. 2019, https://afribary.com/works/the-contributions-of-sayyid-said-to-the-development-of-zanzibar-in-the-19th-century. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Onafuye, Peace . "THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SAYYID SAID TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ZANZIBAR IN THE 19TH CENTURY". Afribary, Afribary, 11 Jun. 2019. Web. 31 Jul. 2025. < https://afribary.com/works/the-contributions-of-sayyid-said-to-the-development-of-zanzibar-in-the-19th-century >.
Onafuye, Peace . "THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SAYYID SAID TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ZANZIBAR IN THE 19TH CENTURY" Afribary (2019). Accessed July 31, 2025. https://afribary.com/works/the-contributions-of-sayyid-said-to-the-development-of-zanzibar-in-the-19th-century