The multimillion-dollar reconstruction of Tanzania’s Kigoma airport is gaining up momentum as construction gets started. The overall objective of the project is to modernize the airport’s infrastructure to handle additional passengers. It involves constructing an additional control tower and upgrading the airport’s terminals. In addition, the project would increase the airport’s parking area from 15,000 square meters to 30,000 square meters while also constructing a new meteorological office. In addition to constructing a fence to encompass the entire airport site, land has been acquired to extend the runway to 3100 meters. Plans for Kigoma airport upgrades by the Tanzania Airport Authority aim to transform the airport into a cutting-edge aviation hub. The project should be finished in three to five years, depending on financing availability.
The airport will be able to serve more people than merely residents of Kigoma City after the reconstruction process is completed. The number of areas it can currently service will also be increased. Currently, the airport only serves flights from the city to Dar es Salaam and Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. In addition, a number of airlines with routes throughout East Africa use it as a stopover. But after it is completely renovated, it can carry travelers from other places.
The China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) has been appointed as the primary contractor for the renovation of Tanzania’s Kigoma airport, located in the Kigoma-Ujiji Municipality. The selected firm has a strict timeline to meet in order to finish the project by December 2025. The project also involves Lebanon’s Khatib & Alami and the local business Advanced Engineering Solutions. The airport has been undergoing upgrades, and an earlier completion date is anticipated due to an increase in construction activities.
Over the past six months, Tanzania has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to upgrading its infrastructure. The most significant announcement is that it is getting ready to host the AFCON 2027 competition in collaboration with Kenya and Uganda. However, when finished, the project will continue to reap great benefits long after the competition. The Tanzanian government is optimistic that Kigoma airport’s renovation would serve as a model for future infrastructure upgrades.
Beyond modernizing Tanzania’s Kigoma Airport, Tanzania has made it clear that it wants to carry out initiatives that significantly enhance its transportation infrastructure. The construction of an electrified Standard Gauge Railway is one of a kind in the region. The railway, which was just inaugurated, achieved a noteworthy distinction by becoming the first electrified railway line in East Africa. Additionally, Tanzanians have praised it for making traveling between different regions easier. One of the East African nations that shares a common goal of building the longest railway line in Africa is Tanzania.
