Chinese Firm Wins Tanzania Stadium Deal
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Tanzania’s Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports has signed a Tanzanian shilling 286 billion (US$112 million) agreement with China Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) for the construction of a new football stadium in Arusha in the north of the country.
The stadium will be one of the venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament, which Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on 19 March, sports minister Damas Ndumbaro said the stadium will have the capacity to accommodate 30,000 spectators. The venue will also be used to host athletics tournaments and business events.
Hongera! 🇹🇿 has signed the contract with 🇨🇳 company CRCEG & Research Institute Co. Ltd for the construction of the proposed Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha region. Look forward to seeing the new stadium host 2027 AFCON finals! pic.twitter.com/maBm2ifBnM
— Chen Mingjian 陈明健 (@ChenMingjian_CN) March 20, 2024
The chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Culture and Sports Husna Sekiboko asked the contractor to ensure construction is completed before the 2025 general elections.
The inspiration for the stadium’s design reportedly comes from the mineral tanzanite as well as Mount Kilimanjaro, while its colours stem from the country’s national flag.
Meanwhile, the 60,000-seat Benjamin Mkapa national stadium is being renovated by Beijing Construction Engineering Group, with work expected to be completed in October, according to a December 2023 update by the sports ministry.
Tanzania is also in the process of building a 40,000-seat stadium in Dodoma as well as renovating the Uhuru arena in Dar Es Salaam.
The refurbishment of the Amani stadium in Zanzibar was completed and inaugurated by President Hussein Mwinyi in December 2023.
In early March, Finance Minister Mwigulu Madelu said Tanzania shilling 200 billion (US$78.4 million) had been allocated in Tanzania’s 2024/25 budget to support the preparations to host AFCON 2027.
Photo: Proposed Arusha stadium (Source: X/Twitter @ Chinese ambassador to Tanzania)
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