China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) kicked off the construction of a state-of-the-art soccer stadium in Arusha, Tanzania on Saturday in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on a 14.57-hectare piece of land, with Tanzanian government officials and CRCEG engineers and technicians coming together to begin the construction of a stadium that can hold up to 30,000 spectators.
Damas Ndumbaro, the Minister for Culture, Arts, and Sports, highlighted the significance of the modern stadium as Tanzania gets ready to co-host the AFCON finals with Kenya and Uganda. Ndumbaro emphasized that the Arusha stadium, expected to be the most important and modern stadium constructed by Chinese firms in Tanzania in two decades, will play a pivotal role in reshaping Tanzania’s image in Africa.
Gao Hongchun, the project manager, expressed the contractor’s commitment to delivering one of the top stadiums in Africa through this project. In addition to creating local job opportunities, the construction of the stadium is set to boost urban development and stimulate regional economic growth. Gao highlighted the significance of the Arusha stadium project as another major achievement for CRCEG, following their successful completion of multiple projects in the Arusha market over the past 20 years.
The minister added, “This is a crucial piece of infrastructure for Tanzania as the nation gears up to host the 2027 AFCON finals for the first time in African football history.” He noted that the stadium construction will not only serve as a venue for sporting events but also contribute to the country’s advancement on a broader scale.
CRCEG had previously signed an agreement with the Tanzanian Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports on March 19 to undertake the construction of the Arusha Stadium. The project is expected to deliver a world-class facility that meets international standards and stands as a testament to the strong partnership between China and Tanzania in the realm of infrastructure development.
