Tanzania to build Sh286 billion Afcon stadium in Arusha

Dar es Salaam. The government has allocated Sh286 billion for the construction of a football stadium in Arusha Region.

The stadium, to be named after Samia Suluhu Hassan, in honour of the sitting President, will be built by the China China Railway Construction Engineering Group Limited(CRCEG)from China.

Culture, Arts, and Sports minister Damas Ndumbaro made the announcement Tuesday on March 19, 2024, during the signing ceremony of a contract on the stadium construction.

Ndumbaro has said the stadium will have a capacity of 30,000 seats and will be the most modern in the East African countries.

According to the minister, the government will ensure the stadium is constructed and completed as planned before Tanzania co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

Besides domestic and international matches, the stadium, the minister added, would host various activities such as athletics, trade events and significantly boost tourism in the country.

“The stadium will be of high quality with VIP rooms as we celebrate President Samia’s three years in office,” said Ndumbaro.

He also commended the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Culture, and Sports for its efforts in completing the lengthy process of the stadium construction.

For her part, the committee chairperson, Husna Sekiboko, urged the stadium contractor to ensure its construction is completed before the 2025 General Election.

“The contractor has to make sure the stadium meets the required standards before the 2025 polls, and its implementation begins as soon as possible ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations,” she said.

Sekiboko pledged the committee’s support to ensure the construction proceeds as planned and she praised President Hassan for her commitment to the sports sector and urged the residents of Arusha to keep the stadium’s resources safe.

Meanwhile, Arusha Regional Commissioner John Mongella said the stadium would increase the number tourists visiting the region.

“We promise to honour this construction; we will ensure it progresses day and night to prevent any delays on our part. We are making a significant mark in history,” Mongella said.