Dodoma’s Msalato International Airport Set to Transform Tanzania’s Aviation Map
Tanzania is pressing ahead with the construction of Msalato International Airport in Dodoma, a flagship infrastructure project expected to reshape the country’s aviation landscape and boost economic growth across the central corridor.
The airport, estimated to cost USD 330 million, is being financed through a partnership involving the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Union, and the Government of Tanzania. Once complete, it will be capable of handling over 1.5 million passengers annually, with facilities for both passenger and cargo operations.
A Strategic Investment
Msalato’s importance lies in its location. Dodoma is Tanzania’s new administrative capital and the seat of government institutions, foreign embassies, and major businesses relocating from Dar es Salaam. Yet until now, Dodoma has lacked an international-standard airport.
“An international gateway in Dodoma will ease government operations, strengthen business travel, and position the city as a true political and economic hub,” the Ministry of Works and Transport noted earlier this year.
The airport will include:
- A modern runway designed for long-haul international flights.
- Passenger and cargo terminals built to international standards.
- Air traffic control and navigation systems to match global safety benchmarks.
Economic Potential
The project is expected to have wide-ranging economic impacts:
- Trade and Cargo: The new hub will support the Central Corridor, which links Tanzania to Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Improved cargo facilities will ease agricultural exports and regional commerce.
- Tourism Diversification: By opening direct access to central Tanzania, the airport could redirect tourist flows beyond Zanzibar, Serengeti, and Kilimanjaro. Sites such as the Kondoa rock art caves, a UNESCO World Heritage area, stand to benefit.
- Job Creation: The construction phase alone has created hundreds of local jobs. Once operational, the airport is expected to support thousands more across aviation, logistics, hospitality, and urban services.
- Urban Growth: Dodoma, already expanding rapidly as ministries and businesses relocate, is likely to see new investment in hotels, real estate, and service industries around the airport.
Progress and Challenges
The AfDB approved USD 272 million in financing for the project in 2019, with additional support from the EU and the national government. Construction began in 2022, starting with site preparation and land acquisition. Work on the runway, control tower, and terminals is advancing in phases.
However, analysts caution that challenges remain. The project’s scale demands strict financial discipline to avoid overruns. The government will also need to ensure that airlines adopt Dodoma into their route networks, balancing the city’s new role against the dominance of Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Kilimanjaro airports.
Outlook
If completed on schedule, Msalato International Airport will become Tanzania’s third major global gateway, standing alongside Julius Nyerere International Airport and Zanzibar International Airport.
The new facility will not only ease travel for government and business officials in Dodoma but also signal a deliberate shift in Tanzania’s development model, one that seeks to spread economic growth inland and reduce dependency on coastal cities.
For Tanzania, Msalato is more than just an airport. It is a bet on the country’s future as a regional aviation hub and an anchor for balanced national development.