THE construction of Arusha Stadium has reached 25% completion, with the government expressing satisfaction over the progress.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially launched the project last year, and this week, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, who also serves as the Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa, toured the site to assess the ongoing work.

Speaking during his visit, Msigwa commended the contractor's efficiency and quality of work, expressing confidence that the stadium will be completed before 2027, in time for Tanzania's co-hosting of AFCON 2027.

“I am pleased with the progress here. The government is not only satisfied with the pace of construction but also the high quality of work. We are optimistic that the project will be completed on time, ahead of AFCON 2027,” he said.

Dubbed Samia Stadium, the Arusha-based venue is expected to be a state-of-the-art facility, capable of hosting major international sporting events, including the prestigious AFCON 2027 tournament.

The government also highlighted the economic benefits of the project, as it has created job opportunities for locals, aligning with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s agenda of fostering employment for Tanzanians.

“This project is not just about sports; it is also part of the government’s broader plan to create jobs for Tanzanians,” Msigwa emphasized.

Furthermore, he noted that once completed, the stadium will contribute to Tanzania’s Sports Tourism agenda, boosting the local economy and attracting international events.

The facility is estimated to cost 286 billion Tanzanian shillings, and is slated for completion within 22 months.

The stadium is being constructed by the China Railway Construction Engineering Group Limited (CRCEG), whose officials, during the contract signing ceremony last year, assured the Tanzanian government of delivering a modern facility.