By the Respondents reporter
Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has pledged close cooperation with investors and sports stakeholders as the country ramps up preparations to leverage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to boost tourism and infrastructure development.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for Tourism Nkoba Mabula said the ministry was ready to facilitate investment in modern infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the value of the country’s tourism attractions, as Tanzania seeks to position itself for an influx of visitors during the continental football tournament.
Mabula made the remarks during talks with representatives of China’s Tilo World Properties Holding Limited, a hospitality investment firm focusing on accommodation services within and outside protected areas.
He said the ministry was prioritising large-scale tourism investments in key destinations including Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, Pugu Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve, the ministry’s Kigamboni area and Pande Forest Reserve, with the aim of creating new attractions ahead of AFCON 2027.
Tanzania, which aims to attract eight million tourists by 2030, sees the tournament as an opportunity to draw a larger number of international visitors, including football teams, officials and fans.
Speaking on behalf of the company’s chief executive, Adamu Deng said the first phase of the investment would begin in Serengeti National Park with the construction of a 50-room permanent tourist camp valued at $3 million.
The project is expected to be completed within eight to 12 months, he said.
Officials say continued upgrades in tourism infrastructure are expected to support the government’s long-term strategy of expanding visitor arrivals and increasing tourism’s contribution to national revenue, both during and beyond AFCON 2027
