Towards AFCON 2027: Tanzania Spends TZS 8.7bn To Upgrade Road Linking Kilimanjaro Airport And Arusha

With just 240 days remaining before Tanzania begins co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), various government authorities are ramping up efforts to improve key infrastructure as part of preparations to welcome the huge number of international visitors expected to arrive in the country.

Kilimanjaro and Arusha, regions located in northern Tanzania, stand out among the areas expected to attract large numbers of visitors owing to their renowned tourism attractions.

Against this backdrop, the government is implementing an 8.7 billion project to improve the Moshi–Arusha main road, which links Kilimanjaro International Airport with Arusha.

The road is expected to be among the key routes welcoming visitors arriving in Tanzania for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The project is being implemented by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) in the Kilimanjaro Region.

The Deputy Minister for Works, Mr Godfrey Kasekenya, has visited the site to inspect progress on the project.

He said that although the current contract stipulates that the project should be completed by May 21, 2027, the deadline should be reviewed because AFCON is expected to kick off on June 19, 2027.

He warned that delays in completing the work could create the impression that Tanzania was inadequately prepared when visitors begin arriving.

“I would like you to review your contractual agreement. The contractor has the capacity to deploy additional machinery, workers and working hours to complete the project earlier. If possible, the project should be completed by March so that any minor adjustments can be made before visitors begin arriving,” he directed.

He said the road was particularly important because it serves as a gateway for visitors using Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) to travel to Arusha and Moshi. Its condition, therefore, could shape visitors’ first impressions of Tanzania’s preparedness for the tournament.

“We want someone arriving here to immediately say, ‘This is Tanzania.’ You must observe quality standards and the completion deadline, while also enhancing the area’s appearance. There should be significant creativity so that visitors can truly feel they have arrived at a distinctive destination,” Kasekenya insisted.

Kasekenya directed that, alongside ensuring high-quality asphalt surfacing, the project should include pedestrian walkways on both sides of the road, properly functioning streetlights, road signs and decorative features to enhance the area’s appearance.

He said installing a model of Mount Kilimanjaro, together with other features representing the country’s tourism attractions, would help promote Tanzania to visitors arriving through KIA.

According to him, the road rehabilitation would not only benefit the country during AFCON but would continue serving residents, tourists and other users of KIA after the tournament.

“KIA is a major airport in this region and receives many tourists. Therefore, we are not undertaking this project solely because of AFCON. The tournament has made the work more urgent, but the benefits of this service will continue long after the competition,” he said.

The Kilimanjaro Regional TANROADS Maintenance Unit Supervisor, Mr Benitho Mdzovela, said the project commenced on October 5, 2026, and was initially scheduled for completion on May 21, 2027, under the original contract.

He said the government was financing the project in full at a cost of Sh8.78 billion, with the work being undertaken by local contractor Rocktronic.

Mdzovela, who is also the project supervisor, said the work involves removing the existing asphalt layer and replacing it with a new one along a 5.7-kilometre stretch of road. The total work area extends to approximately six kilometres because the section connects to the main Moshi–Arusha highway.

He added that pedestrian walkways measuring 1.5 metres wide would be constructed on each side, while the appearance of the road junction would be improved through the planting of flowers and grass.

“We will install a model of Mount Kilimanjaro on one of the road islands, together with animal sculptures. This is a tourism corridor, and we want anyone landing at KIA and travelling to Arusha or Moshi to immediately recognise that they have entered a tourism destination,” he said.

He said implementation had so far reached 14.1 per cent, while the contractor had delivered 80 per cent of the required machinery and begun removing sections of the old asphalt layer to replace them with new surfacing.

Rocktronic representative Godlisten Ndesario said the company would comply with the directives and accelerate implementation without compromising quality.

“We will do our best to complete the project on time and, if possible, ahead of schedule. We will also continue to uphold the required standards, as is customary for our company in implementing projects,” he said.