The contractor building the Mbauda-Arusha Bypass has been given until December 2026 to complete the 7.4-kilometre road as the government accelerates infrastructure works ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Works Minister Masanja Kadogosa issued the deadline on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during an inspection of road projects in Arusha that have been prioritised ahead of the continental tournament.
The minister directed the contractor handling the Arusha-Kibaya-Kongwa road project, including the Mbauda-Losinyai and Tanganyika Packers-Losinyai sections, to meet the contractual deadline and ensure the works meet required quality standards.
The 70-kilometre project includes two sections totalling 13 kilometres that have been prioritised for AFCON preparations.
These are the 7.4-kilometre Mbauda-Arusha Bypass and the 5.6-kilometre Tanganyika Packers-Kiserian section, both scheduled for completion by December.
“The contractor should complete this project on time, in full and according to the required standards,” Mr Kadogosa said.
He said the contractor had a record of implementing road projects in Tanzania and should use the Arusha project to demonstrate that it could deliver within agreed timelines and quality requirements.
“I know this contractor. I believe he will do a good job here, as we have seen on other projects he is implementing in the country,” he said.
Mr Kadogosa also put the project's supervising consultant on notice, directing the engineer to closely monitor construction and ensure the contractor complies with the terms of the contract.
The inspection covered road works at Mbauda, Mushono and Kwa Mromboo as the government assesses the readiness of Arusha's road network for AFCON 2027.
The deadline puts pressure on the contractor and project supervisors to increase the pace of construction, with the latest progress report showing that the 13 kilometres earmarked for AFCON had reached 50.93 per cent completion.
Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) Arusha Regional Manager Raginald Massawe said the agency was working with the contractor to increase resources, machinery and manpower to keep the project on schedule.
The Mbauda-Arusha Bypass is expected to improve connectivity around the city and provide an alternative route for traffic, while also supporting movement during the tournament.
The project has also raised expectations for wider improvements to the road corridor.
Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports and Arusha Urban MP Paul Makonda said completion of the road should be accompanied by street lighting, bus stops and tree planting to improve both the city's appearance and the experience of road users.
Mr Makonda also called for the government to prioritise construction of the 1.9-kilometre road from Kisongo Roundabout to Matebez.
He said the road would improve connectivity and help open up more parts of Arusha to transport and other economic activities.
The government is preparing road infrastructure in Arusha and other host areas as Tanzania gets ready to co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Uganda.
For Arusha residents, the completion of the bypass and related roads is expected to go beyond the tournament, with improved connectivity potentially helping ease traffic and making movement of people and goods across the city easier.
The key test now is whether the contractor can turn the government's December deadline into completed, quality infrastructure rather than another delayed road project.