By The Respondents Reporter
The Government has announced that the Msalato International Airport in Dodoma is expected to be completed and begin operations in September 2026, marking a major step in strengthening Tanzania’s air transport infrastructure and enhancing the status of the country’s capital city.
The project, implemented by the Government of Tanzania in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF), is among the strategic national investments aimed at modernising transport systems and supporting long-term economic development.
It is expected to transform Dodoma into a fully equipped administrative and economic hub with improved air connectivity both domestically and internationally.
The Minister of Finance, Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar (MP), made the announcement after inspecting the progress of the project in Dodoma, where he expressed satisfaction with the pace of implementation.
He said major components of the airport, including the runway and aircraft parking areas, have been substantially completed, with remaining works focusing on final stages of construction.
According to him, the project reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that Dodoma, as the seat of government, is supported by modern infrastructure that matches its growing economic, political, and social importance.
He explained that construction of the airport began in 2022 and has progressed steadily under close supervision by relevant authorities.
Technical reports show that Phase One of the project, which involves core airside infrastructure, has reached 86.73 percent completion, while Phase Two, which includes key buildings such as the passenger terminal, air traffic control tower, and fire and rescue services facilities, has reached 75.1 percent completion.
Ambassador Omar said the airport has been built to meet international aviation standards, featuring a 3.6-kilometre runway with a width of 60 metres.
He added that the facility will also include large aircraft parking aprons capable of accommodating multiple aircraft at the same time, improving operational efficiency and capacity.
Once operational, the passenger terminal will have the capacity to handle about 1.5 million passengers annually.
This is expected to significantly boost tourism, trade, investment, and overall economic activity in Dodoma and surrounding regions.
The project also includes a modern 56.2-metre air traffic control tower, a fire and rescue building built to international standards, power generation facilities, and an advanced meteorological station equipped with modern air navigation and safety systems.
Ambassador Omar emphasized that the completion of the airport will open up Dodoma to increased domestic and international flights, improve government operations, and enhance Tanzania’s competitiveness in the East African aviation sector.
He added that improved connectivity will also stimulate growth in sectors such as hospitality, real estate, logistics, and commerce.
On his part, the Deputy Minister for Works, Godfrey Kasekenya (MP), described the Msalato International Airport as one of the government’s key strategic projects under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He said the project has been designed with a long-term perspective, allowing for future expansion in line with the growing demand for air transport services in the country.
He noted that construction has followed modern international standards and expressed confidence that the airport will become one of the most advanced aviation facilities in Tanzania once completed.
Kasekenya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all remaining works are completed on time so that the airport can begin operations as scheduled in September 2026.
He said the project is part of broader efforts to strengthen transport infrastructure and drive national economic growth through strategic investments.
During the inspection visit, Minister Omar was accompanied by Deputy Ministers of Finance, the Permanent Secretary and Paymaster General of the Ministry of Finance, senior officials from the Ministry of Works, experts from the Ministry of Finance, and representatives from the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), among other government officials.
Once completed, the Msalato International Airport is expected to significantly transform Dodoma into a major aviation gateway, improve national connectivity, and support Tanzania’s broader development agenda by attracting investment and enhancing economic integration.
