Tanzania is expanding aviation skills development as part of its 2026/27 transport programme, with investment directed towards the Civil Aviation Training Centre, pilot training, practical training equipment, aviation security training and technical capacity building for aviation personnel.
The Ministry of Transport has identified a shortage of specialists with skills and experience across water transport, aviation, rail and meteorology as one of the challenges encountered during implementation of the 2025/26 budget.
Within the aviation sector, the training programme is linked to wider sector development and the need to increase the number of specialists available to the industry.
CATC Builds Regional Aviation Training Capacity
Through the Civil Aviation Training Centre, the Government has continued to provide training across several aviation disciplines. The Centre’s training includes air traffic control, technical maintenance of air navigation and communications equipment, and the provision of aeronautical information.
Other courses provided by CATC include aviation security, air transport of dangerous goods, flight operations management and preparation, and instructor training for aviation sector trainers.
CATC continues to be recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization through the TRAINAIR PLUS global aviation training programme at the highest level of membership, Full Member, GOLD.
During the 2025/26 academic year, the number of countries participating in training at the college increased from 18 countries in 2024/25 to 21 countries in 2025/26. Malawi, Qatar and Oman were added during the year. The increase has enabled the college to promote Tanzania internationally and increase foreign exchange earnings through training fees.
From July 2025 to March 2026, CATC provided 108 courses, compared with 89 courses in 2024/25. These courses were attended by 1,776 participants.
Of these, 205 participants came from outside Tanzania, comprising 160 men and 45 women, while 1,571 participants came from Tanzania, comprising 1,128 men and 443 women.
Domestic participants receiving training at CATC come from airlines, airports in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, various organisations providing services at airports, the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, the Police Force, the Tanzania Revenue Authority, banks, the port authorities of Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, and the general public.
New Courses Focus on Security Inspection and Emergency Response
CATC has continued to design and add new courses to strengthen security inspection management for users of security scanners and improve emergency response management at airports and other areas.
In 2025/26, the Centre introduced two new courses: Security Inspection Techniques and Emergency Response Procedure.
CATC is among the three ICAO colleges in the Eastern and Southern African Region that provide aviation security training. From July 2025 to March 2026, the Centre conducted Crisis Management training in November 2025, involving 19 participants from various countries.
The course was provided through a programme coordinated by ICAO, which provides two courses each year by financing training in 35 ICAO member countries that provide aviation security training through ICAO Aviation Security Training Centres.
New CATC Facilities Advance in Dar es Salaam
The Government has also continued with the construction of the Civil Aviation Training Centre in Dar es Salaam. The project involves six buildings, comprising administration buildings, a cafeteria, academic facilities, a conference hall and two dormitories.
Implementation of the project had reached 11.3 per cent. Once completed, the project will enable CATC to increase enrolment of students from within and outside Tanzania, improve the quality and efficiency of training, and increase the number of aviation sector professionals in the country.
For 2026/27, the Civil Aviation Training Centre Construction Project has been allocated TZS 20.88 billion.
Planned activities include construction of a five-storey administration building, construction of a three-storey classroom building and procurement of teaching equipment, construction of a five-storey dormitory building and procurement of furniture, construction of a conference building and cafeteria, and construction of a dispensary building together with procurement of equipment.
Pilot Training Begins at the National Institute of Transport
Pilot training has also begun in Tanzania. Through the National Institute of Transport, the Government officially began providing pilot training in July 2025, with 22 students admitted and continuing their studies.
The introduction of local pilot training is intended to reduce the cost of studying abroad for pilot-training courses.
ATCL Expands Workforce and Cabin Crew Training
Air Tanzania Company Limited has also expanded its human capacity. As of March 2026, ATCL had 1,148 employees, including 142 pilots and 231 aircraft engineers and technicians. This compares with 857 employees during the same period of the 2024/25 financial year, of whom 117 were pilots and 190 were aircraft engineers and technicians.
The increase has helped ensure that services provided by ATCL meet national and international aviation standards and requirements, particularly for pilots and cabin crew. ATCL has also continued to provide cabin crew training through the ATCL Training Centre, which has trained 148 cabin crew students.
Simulator Procurement Included in ATCL Operations Project
For 2026/27, the project to strengthen ATCL operations includes the procurement of practical pilot training equipment, or simulators, for Dash 8 Q400 aircraft.
The project has been allocated TZS 97.73 billion in domestic funding. It includes the construction of a new aircraft maintenance hangar at Julius Nyerere International Airport, an equipment storage building and a cargo storage building, as well as the installation of ICT systems and the procurement of aircraft equipment and spare parts.
Together, these measures position aviation skills development as a core part of Tanzania’s 2026/27 transport programme, with training investment directed at building the pilots, engineers, technicians, aviation security personnel, cabin crew and technical specialists needed to support the country’s wider aviation growth.
