Tanzania boosts sports budget by 67 percent ahead of 2027 Afcon

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the minister for Information, Arts, Culture and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, presented a budget proposal of Sh519.66 billion to Parliament for approval.

This amount represents a significant increase of Sh209 billion—or 67 percent—compared to the Sh311 billion approved for the ministry in the 2024/25 financial year.

Of the proposed total, Sh458.2 billion is earmarked for development expenditure, marking a 77 percent increase from the Sh258.2 billion allocated for the same purpose in the current fiscal year.

The Sports Development sector alone will receive Sh410.5 billion of the ministry’s development budget, making it the largest component of the proposal.

The funds will primarily support the construction and rehabilitation of sports infrastructure in preparation for the continental football event.

 “The government is fully committed to ensuring that Tanzania is ready to host Afcon 2027 by improving and expanding sports facilities,” Prof Kabudi said in Parliament.

 The 2027 Afcon will be notably the first time the tournament is hosted jointly by three East African countries, signifying both regional cooperation and an opportunity to enhance sports tourism and youth engagement through sports.

A breakdown of the budget indicates that Sh193 billion will be allocated for constructing a sports complex in the Arusha Region, Sh140 billion in Dodoma, and Sh29 billion in Dar es Salaam.

Planned activities include the continuation of major renovations to Uhuru Stadium, which will involve replacing worn-out seats and installing new ones in the VIP area, adding new seats in the general spectators’ area, replacing the roof, and repairing the water systems, electrical systems, air conditioning, toilets, and the playing field.

 Additionally, other activities will include ongoing preventive maintenance of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, focusing on field maintenance, as well as water and electrical infrastructure, fire safety systems, cameras and air conditioning.

Furthermore, Sh15 billion will be allocated for constructing the Malya Sports Academy, Sh12 billion for the Sports Fund, Sh11 billion for constructing and improving school sports facilities, and Sh8 billion for developing exercise and recreational areas for residents in the Dar es Salaam and Dodoma regions.

The government, in collaboration with stakeholders who own the stadiums, will finalise procedures and begin major renovations of five Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) stadia, adhering to mutual agreements between the two parties.

“The main objective of this renovation is to enhance the country’s sports infrastructure, strengthen training centers, improve the quality of local leagues, and ultimately benefit our national teams,” he added.

 Conversely, Mr Musa Sima, the deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee for Education, Culture, and Sports, advised that all funds approved by Parliament for renovating the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium should be made available in a timely manner.

The ministry must closely collaborate with the ministry of Finance to ensure that the allocated funds for the renovation of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium are disbursed promptly and that the contractor is compensated according to the contractual agreement, which follows the payment certificate procedure.

“The government should prepare a strategy to improve other stadiums to meet international competition standards, thereby reducing the continuous use of the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium,” he emphasized.

The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is currently the only stadium in Tanzania that meets FIFA standards and has seen heavy usage due to the lack of alternatives.