Zanzibar AFCON stadium 87 per cent complete

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR’S Fumba Stadium is 87 per cent complete, with the government targeting December 31st 2026, for the facility to be ready ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Zanzibar Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Riziki Pembe Juma said the government would continue to closely monitor construction to ensure the project is completed on schedule.

Riziki made the remarks during a visit to the stadium in Fumba, Western B District, where she inspected progress and assessed the work carried out so far. “The pace of construction is encouraging,” she said, noting that significant progress had been made as the project moved towards completion.

She added that more than 2,000 seats had already been installed, describing the development as an important milestone in the construction process.

The minister also reported that construction of the stadium’s external infrastructure had reached 81 per cent. The roof is expected to be completed in November, while work on the training grounds is progressing.

Consultant Mohammed Noor, representing Alhitmy, said construction was progressing satisfactorily and that the project team remained committed to meeting the deadline.

He added that the installation of seats and improvements to the surrounding areas were expected to reach 90 per cent by November. The stadium is a key part of Zanzibar’s preparations for AFCON 2027, which will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

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The tournament will mark an important moment for East African football, bringing together the continent’s leading national teams and placing greater demands on the region’s sporting facilities.

For Zanzibar, the Fumba project is expected to strengthen sports infrastructure and provide a major venue for the continental competition.

The government’s continued supervision is intended to keep construction on schedule as preparations for the tournament gather pace.

With the overall project more than four-fifths complete, attention is now focused on finishing the remaining construction work, completing the roof and training facilities and ensuring the supporting infrastructure is ready.