DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government has officially signed a contract with Italian firm, SPAR for construction of the ultra-modern stadium in Dodoma worth 352bn/-, it has been disclosed.
The modern sports facility, when completed, will host all major international tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking at the signing ceremony, The Minister for Information, Education, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi said the hyper-modern stadium will be one of Dodoma’s key landmarks, alongside the St. Albans Anglican Cathedral (popularly known as Mtungi), the Parliament Building, and the recently completed Court of Appeal.
Adding, Prof Kabudi said the stadium, which will cost 352bn/-, is fully funded by the government, and will have a seating capacity of 32,000 people, and is expected to be completed within 24 months.
The Italian construction company, SPAR will handle the project.
“This project marks another milestone for Dodoma. Once completed, it will not only be an iconic structure but also position the city as a hub for international sporting events,” Prof Kabudi said.
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The new stadium is part of Tanzania’s preparations for AFCON 2027, which the country will co-host with Kenya and Uganda.
Prof. Kabudi stated that the government is committed to upgrading and constructing modern sports infrastructure to meet international standards.
“As we sign this contract, I want to assure the public that work is progressing on multiple fronts. Arusha Stadium is already 26 percent complete, and by the end of the year, the foundation for the entire structure will be finished,” he said.
He called on local leaders and residents to cooperate with the contractor to ensure smooth project implementation.
“For this stadium to be completed on time, all stakeholders must work together. This includes ensuring timely approvals for permits and facilitating access to essential services such as water, electricity, roads, and communication infrastructure,” he added.
On his part, Deputy Minister Hamis Mwinjuma revealed that the government has already developed five training grounds in Dar es Salaam and five more in Arusha as part of the AFCON 2027 preparations.
Additionally, he said major renovations are going on at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, while construction of another modern football stadium in Arusha is also in good progress.
He also announced that the government has been authorized to construct a modern entertainment arena in Dar es Salaam to support cultural and sports events.
Mwinjuma praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her continued support of sports, noting that her public recognition of team performances on social media has been a great motivation for players and officials.
Dodoma MP Anthony Mavunde commended the President for taking decisive action to ensure the stadium is built under direct government supervision after previous attempts involving private sector partners failed.
“We have waited a long time for this day. Initially, the project was planned with support from Morocco, then through the CSR of the Mwalimu Nyerere Dam project, and later under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Finance) model. None of those worked out. The President saw the delays and made the bold decision for the government to fully fund and oversee the project,” Mavunde said.
