By The Arusha News Correspondent
The construction of the new Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium (SSHS) in Arusha City has reached about 81 per cent completion, Government Chief Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, has said.
He reaffirmed that the project was on course for its planned handover later this year.
Speaking during a recent media briefing in Dar es Salaam, Msigwa dismissed recent rumours that the government was facing funding setbacks on the project, describing them as misinformation. He clarified that the stadium — one of Tanzania’s flagship infrastructure developments ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) — continues to make “steady and satisfactory progress”.
The contractor, he added, has completed major structural works and continues with key tasks including the installation of roofing and finishing elements. He stressed that with materials delivered on site and payments made on schedule, the stadium was on track to be ready for a testing phase by July 2026 — a critical step before official opening and certification for international events.
Once complete, the 30,000-seat SSHS — being built by China Railway Construction Engineering Group — will serve as key infrastructure for hosting matches during the 2027 AFCON finals, which Tanzania is co-hosting with Kenya and Uganda.
