The government of Tanzania has disclosed that it has spent Sh104 billion to secure the right to host and broadcast the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Paul Makonda revealed the expenditure during a briefing with journalists in Dar es Salaam on preparations for AFCON 2027, Miss World, and the distribution of royalties to artists.
According to Makonda, Sh74 billion was paid to secure the right to host the tournament, while another Sh30 billion was spent to obtain broadcast rights. Tanzania will co-host the 2027 tournament with Kenya and Uganda, with the government seeking to ensure that the event delivers benefits beyond football. The government aims to showcase Tanzania as an investment destination and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
The arrival of thousands of visitors presents an opportunity for Tanzania to promote its investment and tourism opportunities to visitors from across Africa and beyond. The government’s focus on investment and employment comes as preparations for the tournament enter a critical phase, with authorities targeting completion of most of the required work before the end of this year. Makonda said the government expects preparations to be more than 90 percent complete by December 2026.
The government is working on strategies to establish reliable rail transport between Kilimanjaro and Arusha to facilitate the movement of supporters attending the tournament. This is part of the country’s efforts to ensure that the event is a success. Most of the stadiums and training grounds earmarked for the tournament are progressing well, giving the country confidence that preparations will remain on schedule.
Beyond stadiums, transport infrastructure has emerged as another key component of Tanzania’s AFCON preparations. The proposal for reliable rail transport comes as Kenya also pursues transport projects linked to AFCON 2027, including a planned rail spur connecting Nairobi’s central railway station through Nyayo and Kibera to Talanta Sports City.
The Sh104 billion expenditure puts the spotlight on what Tanzania expects to gain from hosting one of Africa’s biggest sporting events. The government is positioning AFCON as an opportunity to attract tourists and investors while boosting activity in sectors such as hospitality, transport, tourism, retail, entertainment, and other services.
The economic impact of the tournament, however, is likely to depend on how effectively the country converts the temporary increase in visitors and global attention into longer-term business and investment opportunities. The tournament is expected to provide Tanzania with an international platform to promote its investment and tourism opportunities to visitors from across Africa and beyond.
Key points
- The government of Tanzania spent Sh104 billion to host and broadcast AFCON 2027.
- The government aims to use the tournament as a catalyst for investment, job creation, and international visibility.
- Preparations for the tournament are expected to be more than 90 percent complete by December 2026.
