WALKING THE TALK: BUILDING A PROSPEROUS TANZANIA

• What Msalato Airport will bring to Dodoma

DODOMA is experiencing massive transformations as the country’s capital city is envisioning acquiring a complete new look come 2025.

Msalato International Airport one of the key strategic projects, currently being undertaken by the government, will give Dodoma a completely new look.

The envisaged 272 million US dollars (over 600bn/-) Msalato International Airport robust project is expected to catalyse the country’s economy as it equally plans to offer employment opportunities to Tanzanians living in the country’s capital, Dodoma, President Samia Suluhu Hassan affirmed.

President Samia made the commitment during a foundation stone-laying ceremony for the construction of one of the country’s largest aviation projects, an event which was attended by hundreds of residents from inside and outside the country late in October this year.

During the first phase of the project, the government will spend about 272 million US dollars (over 600bn/-), after obtaining a concessional loan from Africa Development Bank (AfDB).

In December 2029, the Board of Directors of the AfDB approved 272 million US dollars loan to Tanzania for the construction of the new international airport at Msalato area about 12 kilometres from the Central Business District of the capital city.

The funding package, comprises a 198.6 million US dollars loan from the bank, 23.52 million US dollars from the African Development Fund (ADF) and 50 million US dollars in co-financing with the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF) — a co-financing facility of the People’s Republic of China managed by the bank.

The project involves the construction of high-capacity airport infrastructure to meet the expected growth in air transport from the city’s new role as the administrative capital of Tanzania.

Work will be carried out over four years and will include a passenger terminal, a runway, and air navigation equipment.

The project includes other related operational services such as a fuel distribution company, water supply systems, electrical power distribution substations and a fire-fighting service, among others.

The laying of the foundation stone was done by President Samia in the company of AfDB Country Manager, Patricia Laverley and the Minister for Works and Transport, Professor Makame Mbarawa, among others.

Speaking at a colourful ceremony, the Head of State said that completion of the first phase of the project in December 2025-the Msalato International Airport would have the capacity to accommodate major aircrafts (Boeing 747) with the capacity to carry about 350 passengers.

According to her, during the 2022/23 financial year, her government was well determined to implement projects that would catalyse development for the people.

“Our target is to increase business competition with other countries in the East African Region, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the world at large as well as expanding markets for our local products,’’ she said.

President Samia said that the Msalato airport project would increase employment opportunities both direct and indirect, directing the contractor executing the project to ensure that all works that can be done by locals be directed to Tanzanians living in the country’s capital.

However, the President was quick to warn unscrupulous locals who will secure jobs during the implementation of the project to desist from trying to steal procured equipment for the implementation of the project.

Speaking at the event, the Minister for Works and Transport said the airport that will have a runway of 3.6 kilometres during phase I, was expected to open socio-economic activities that would benefit Tanzanians individually and the country at large.

The project is being undertaken by Sinohydro & Beijing Construction Engineering a Chinese firm undertaking several projects across Africa.

Msalato International Airport will feature a passenger terminal, a runway and the installation of air navigation equipment. A fuel distribution company, water supply systems, electrical power distribution substations and a fire-fighting service are among other features of the mega project.

Expected annual capacity for the new Msalato International Airport is approximately 50,000 aircraft and one million passengers, most of which are predicted to be international.

Construction of Msalato International Airport is expected to take four years to complete.

Project general description

The Msalato International Airport Construction Project is part of Tanzania’s Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III), in line with Tanzania Development Vision (TDV) 2025. It has been designed because of the limited airport infrastructure, which hampers not only the development of markets, businesses and the industrial sector, but also job creation.

The proposed intervention is likely to contribute to economic growth, which is equally important for the sustainability of the services that the Tanzanian government provides to its citizens. The project involves the construction of a brand-new international airport with a passenger terminal, runway, air navigational aids and related operational services – specifically a fuel distribution company, water supply systems, electrical distribution stations and fire-fighting equipment.

By enhancing transport connectivity from the centrally located Dodoma, the expanded airport is set to unleash gains from economic integration of the country with its regional neighbours and beyond.

Expanding air connectivity spatially to dispersed centres of economic activities within and beyond Tanzania has the potential to create logistics related jobs and facilitate international trade and tourism. The project comprises main components namely civil works for the airport, air navigation equipment and fire fighting vehicles, institutional capacity building, project management, audit and monitoring and evaluation.

Project objectives

The sector goal of the Msalato Airport construction project is to contribute to unlock and distribute economic growth in Tanzania arising from improved air transport connectivity internally and internationally.

Specific objectives of the proposed project are two-fold, the first being to develop a new international airport at Msalato for the city of Dodoma thereby improving access, regional and international connectivity to the administrative Capital city and the Central Region of the country; and second is to  improve long-term institutional capacities of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) in meeting international operational standards and strengthening of national regulatory oversight.

Beneficiaries

The major beneficiaries of the project are: The Tanzania Airport Authority (TAA), a public establishment in charge of airports, and the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) in charge of Air Navigation Services Provision, who will benefit from increased aeronautical (plane and passenger fees) and commercial revenues as operators of the newly built facilities.

The list of beneficiaries also include airlines and users of the airport, who will benefit from improved levels of comfort, safety and security on both airside and landside due to proposed high standard and modern facilities. The new facility will also benefit commercial and service companies for which new opportunities will be provided within the airports.

Tourism industry and handicraft sector will also benefit immensely from increased number of tourists and hence tourism activities; and the local and national population who will be the primary beneficiaries of the jobs created, notably those in the tourism, handicraft sector, retail business and maintenance of public places among others.