Z’bar AFCON preps gather pace

• Govt unveils 269bn/- road project linking Fumba Sport City

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR has allocated 269bn/- for the construction of 63.8 kilometres of roads linking Zanzibar Town to the planned sports city in Fumba as preparations intensify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The project, which includes several six-lane roads, forms part of the Zanzibar Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s 1.815tri/- budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, presented in the House of Representatives by Minister Khalid Salum Mohammed.

The roads are expected to improve transport for teams, officials and supporters during the tournament, which Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda in 2027. Khalid said the government is prioritising infrastructure development to ensure Zanzibar meets international hosting standards ahead of the continental finals.

The Fumba Sports City road network is among the biggest AFCON-linked projects in the budget and is expected to strengthen connections between key areas of Zanzibar and tournament facilities.

Beyond AFCON-specific infrastructure, the government plans to construct 445.25 kilometres of roads across Unguja and Pemba, including trunk roads, urban roads and feeder roads aimed at improving transport and tourism access.

Key projects include the Tunguu–Makunduchi, Fumba–Kisauni, Mkoani–Chake Chake, Mwera–Dole–Mfenesini and Mkokotoni–Nungwi roads.

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The government has allocated more than 554.5bn/- for trunk road construction and 151.7bn/- for rural and feeder roads, while 95bn/- has been set aside for urban road rehabilitation projects, including Kariakoo–Magomeni–Mwanakwerekwe and Mtoni– Bububu–Chuwini.

To improve drainage infrastructure ahead of the tournament, the ministry has also earmarked 30bn/- for stormwater drainage projects in Zanzibar Municipality. In the aviation sector, work will continue at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA), including the expansion of Terminal II, construction of a new control tower and additional aircraft parking areas.

The government has also allocated 144.5bn/- for the continued construction of Pemba Airport to improve regional connectivity before AFCON 2027.