18 August 2026

Construction of Msalato International Airport Reaches Final Stages

Tanzania's Ministry of Works has inspected progress at Msalato International Airport in Dodoma, where construction has reached its final stages.

Aerial view of the air traffic control tower under construction at Msalato International Airport, Dodoma

Why this article matters
Msalato International Airport is intended to give Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital, dedicated international-standard air transport infrastructure of its own, rather than relying on Dar es Salaam as the country’s primary gateway.

The project also reflects the continued role of Chinese state-owned contractors, in this case Beijing Construction Engineering Group and Sinohydro, in delivering major African airport infrastructure, alongside African Development Bank financing. That combination of Chinese construction capacity and African multilateral development financing is a recurring pattern across the continent’s Infrastructure projects.

Of Interest
- The airport is being built across a 10-kilometre site by Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) in collaboration with Sinohydro Corporation Limited.
- The project is being implemented by the Tanzanian Government in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB).
- The airport is intended to increase air transport capacity and position Dodoma as a key hub for economic activity and transportation.

Officials from Tanzania’s Ministry of Works have visited and inspected progress on the construction of Msalato International Airport in Dodoma, where the project has reached its final stages of completion.

The airport, which is being built across a 10-kilometre site, is being constructed by the Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) in collaboration with Sinohydro Corporation Limited, both of China.

The project is being implemented by the Government in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), with the aim of increasing air transport capacity and stimulating economic activity in Dodoma and other parts of the country.

During the visit, on 14 August 2026, officials inspected various stages of the project and observed work being carried out towards completion of the international airport.

Msalato International Airport is among the key strategic projects being implemented by the Government to improve air transport infrastructure and position Dodoma as a major hub for economic activity and transportation.