Rabat, Morocco - Tanzania is leveraging the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 finals as a strategic platform to promote its tourism sector and attract investors, as the country steps up preparations to co-host the continental tournament in 2027.
Speaking to journalists in Rabat, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Hamad Hassan Chande, said Tanzania was using the tournament to showcase its tourism offerings while engaging stakeholders and potential investors drawn to the global sporting event.
Chande said that investor interest in Tanzania’s tourism sector has been boosted by the country’s diverse natural attractions, which have gained international visibility through promotional efforts led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, notably the documentary “Tanzania: The Royal Tour.”
“The wide range of tourism attractions and the way they have been strategically promoted has positioned Tanzania as a competitive destination for investors,” Chande said.
He added that Tanzania was also drawing lessons from Morocco’s heavy investment in modern, efficient, and attractive infrastructure, which has enabled the North African nation to host major international events and attract millions of tourists annually.
“For Africa, Morocco is among the leading tourist destinations. We aspire to reach that level,” Chande said. “We have seen the kind of infrastructure they have put in place, and Tanzania is committed to upgrading its own. Our target is to reach eight million tourists by 2030, and that goal is achievable, starting with opportunities presented by the upcoming AFCON.”
Chande noted that sports tourism had become an increasingly important tool for destination marketing, infrastructure development, and international visibility, particularly for countries hosting or participating in major tournaments.
In a separate appeal, the deputy minister urged Tanzanian journalists and media outlets to dedicate more programming to conservation and tourism issues, stating that stronger media engagement was crucial to promoting investment opportunities and highlighting the country’s natural and cultural assets.
Chande is in Morocco to attend several AFCON-related events as part of Tanzania’s efforts to learn from the experiences of host nations, ahead of the country’s role as one of the hosts of AFCON 2027.
Tanzania has in recent years, intensified its tourism promotion campaigns, positioning the sector as a key driver of economic growth, employment and foreign exchange earnings