Msalato International Airport nears completion in Dodoma

Construction of the Msalato International Airport in Dodoma, Tanzania, has entered its final phase. The project, funded by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), aims to strengthen the nation’s aviation infrastructure and increase passenger and cargo capacity.

According to Mohamed Besta, Chief Executive of the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), the infrastructure package is approximately 89 percent complete, with the runway at 98 percent and taxiways and aprons at 99 percent. The buildings package is roughly 78 percent complete. The facility is being developed to ICAO Category 4E standards, featuring a 3,600-metre runway capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Once operational, the airport is expected to handle up to 1.5 million passengers annually.

Officials have encouraged local residents and businesses to prepare for the economic opportunities the airport will provide. Expected benefits include enhanced trade for perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, fish, and flowers, as well as growth in the tourism, hospitality, and logistics sectors.