The multi-million upgrade of Tanzania’s Kigoma airport in Tanzania has regained momentum as construction activities increase. The project seeks to upgrade the airport’s infrastructure to accommodate more travellers. It entails the construction and upgrade of the airport’s terminals as well as a new control tower. Furthermore, the project will also see the construction of a new meteorological office and the expansion of the airport’s parking space from 15,000 square meters to 30,000 square meters. Work commenced in 2023 to upgrade the airport infrastructure. Land has been procured to extend the runway to 3100m, and work on a fence to enclose the complete airport site is underway. Tanzania Airport Authority upgrade plans for Kigoma airport seek to make the airport a modern aviation centre. The timeframe for completion is 3 to 5 years, subject to funding availability.
The Significance of the Upgrade on Tanzania’s Kigoma Airport
The upgrade of Tanzania’s Kigoma airport holds immense potential to improve Kigoma’s transport sector. The airport was constructed in 1954 during the colonial era to transport government officials to the western part of the then Tanganyika country. The revamp project seeks to ensure that the airport meets the standards of aviation as they have progressed over the years.
The airport currently serves those in Kigoma city, but it can serve more once the upgrade is complete. Furthermore, it will be able to increase the number of destinations that it currently accommodates. Currently, the airport only serves passengers from the city to Dar es Salaam and to Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi. It also serves as a stopover for various airlines that have routes across East Africa. However, it can accommodate passengers from various destinations once it is fully upgraded.
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The State of Affairs Regarding the Kigoma’s Airport Revamp Project
The upgrade of Tanzania’s Kigoma airport in the Kigoma-Ujiji Municipality has been entrusted to the China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) as its main contractor. The contracted company is working on a tight deadline to ensure the project is completed by December 2025. Others included in the project are local-based company Advanced Engineering Solutions and Lebanon’s Khatib & Alami. The airport’s upgrade has been in the works since 2023, but with an increase in construction activities, expeditious completion is expected. Tanzania has shown immense dedication to improving infrastructure over the past few months. Most insight that it is in the preparation for hosting the AFCON 2027 tournament in partnership with Kenya and Uganda. Nonetheless, once completed, the project will immensely benefit even after the tournament. Tanzania’s government is hopeful that the revamp of Kigoma airport will set the pace for other infrastructure improvements.
Other Significant Projects that Aim to Improve Tanzania’s Transport Sector
Tanzania has clarified that it seeks to implement projects that immensely improve its transport sector, other than the upgrade of Tanzania’s Kigoma Airport. The construction of an electrified Standard Gauge Railway is one of a kind in the region. Recently inaugurated, the railway made a remarkable feat by being the first electrified railway line in East Africa. Furthermore, it has received accolades from Tanzania’s citizens as it has eased transportation between various locations. Tanzania is one of the East African countries with a unified ambition for one of Africa’s longest railway line.
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