The Msalato International Airport in Dodoma, Tanzania, is on track to begin operations in January 2027. According to Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) director general Mohamed Besta, construction of the airport's two main packages is expected to be completed by the end of December. The infrastructure package, valued at Sh164.4 billion, is about 89 percent complete, while the buildings package, worth Sh194.95 billion, is about 79 percent complete.
The airport is being developed with government funding and support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to expand Tanzania's air transport capacity and strengthen Dodoma's position as a regional aviation hub. The project involves the construction of a runway, taxiways, aircraft parking apron, and peripheral roads, as well as a passenger terminal, air traffic control tower, and other facilities. The airport is being built to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Code 4E standards, enabling it to handle large aircraft.
Flight tests have already been conducted, and procedures governing aircraft arrivals and departures have been completed. However, certification and other regulatory requirements still need to be fulfilled before the airport can open. Mr. Besta said the certification process could run into November or December, paving the way for the targeted launch of operations in January. The airport is expected to unlock opportunities in cargo transport, tourism, investment, and agricultural exports.
The facility is anticipated to boost economic growth in Dodoma and surrounding areas. Mr. Besta urged businesses, particularly in Dodoma, to prepare to take advantage of the new air transport infrastructure. A second phase of the project is planned to extend the runway and install large cold-storage facilities to support the export of perishable agricultural products to international markets.
Meanwhile, construction of the Jangwani Bridge in Dar es Salaam has reached 42 percent completion. The project involves the construction of a superstructure over one of the city's most flood-prone transport corridors. Tanroads is also preparing for potentially heavy rains between October and December, with regional managers instructed to identify accident-prone and flood-prone areas and work with local authorities on preventive measures.
About Sh40 billion has been allocated for preparedness and emergency response during the anticipated rainy season. However, Mr. Besta said additional funding could be secured if the amount proved insufficient. He cited previous emergency interventions, including about Sh800 billion mobilised through a World Bank-supported mechanism that helped finance the construction of 81 bridges following severe flooding.
As the rainy season approaches, Mr. Besta urged motorists to exercise greater caution. Tanroads said members of the public can report road problems, submit suggestions, and lodge complaints through the government's e-Mrejesho system. The agency is working to ensure that Tanzania's road network is safe and efficient, with a focus on preventing accidents and reducing disruption caused by flooding.
Key points
- The Msalato International Airport is expected to begin operations in January 2027, with construction of its two main packages nearing completion.
- The airport is being developed with government funding and support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to expand Tanzania's air transport capacity.
- The facility is anticipated to unlock opportunities in cargo transport, tourism, investment, and agricultural exports, boosting economic growth in Dodoma and surrounding areas.
