Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are vital to Zanzibar’s coastal economy, providing essential food security, employment and income. However, the sector faces severe threats from climate change, including rising sea temperatures and unpredictable rainfall, which disrupt livelihoods and increase poverty risks. Apart from these challenges, fishers exhibit low adaptive capacity that revealing a gap between climate risks and the effectiveness of government supports mechanisms. This study examines how government interventions specifically on policy implementation, financial support, resilience capability and capacity building influence livelihood prosperity of small-scale fishers in Zanzibar. The study employed a quantitative correlational research design, targeting fishers across six coastal villages on Unguja and Pemba islands. Data were collected from 257 participants using a structured 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Analysis included descriptive statistics, factor analysis (EFA and CFA) and multiple regression to determine the predictive relationships between government interventions and livelihood outcomes. Results indicate that overall, the model explains approximately 40% of the variation in livelihood outcomes. Individually, financial supports are the most influential driver of livelihood outcomes (β = 0.400, p = 0.001). Capacity building (β = 0.212, p = 0.001) and policy enforcement (β = 0.149, p = 0.001) also significantly enhance livelihoods, while resilience capability (β = 0.090, p = 0.031) also remains a meaningful predictor. In conclusion, while government efforts are recognized, current interventions are insufficient to fully shield fishers from climate shocks. Strengthening financial access through micro-credit and improving maritime policy enforcement are critical. To ensure long-term sustainability, the government must transition toward targeted capacity-building programs that empower fishers to move beyond coping mechanisms toward genuine prosperity.