The Government of Tanzania has announced that Msalato International Airport, currently under construction in the country’s capital, Dodoma, will begin operations in September 2026 and will become the largest airport by land area in East Africa.
The airport, whose construction began four years ago, is regarded as one of Tanzania’s flagship infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening the country’s aviation sector and supporting the growth of its administrative capital.
The project is expected to cost more than $330 million upon completion. Once operational, Msalato International Airport will surpass Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is currently the largest airport in the region by land area.
Despite its size, the airport is not designed to handle the highest passenger volumes in Tanzania. Instead, it is primarily intended to serve Dodoma and improve accessibility to the political capital. Tanzania will continue relying heavily on Julius Nyerere International Airport, which has the capacity to accommodate approximately eight million passengers annually, compared to 1.5 million passengers per year projected for Msalato Airport.
Tanzania’s Minister of Finance, Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar, disclosed these details following an inspection visit to the construction site. He noted that much of the core infrastructure, including the runway and aircraft parking areas, has already been completed.
The minister explained that the project, launched in 2022, is being implemented through a partnership involving the Tanzanian government, the African Development Bank, and the Africa Growing Together Fund.
According to Omar, the airport is intended to provide Dodoma with a modern aviation facility capable of supporting the city’s expanding government activities, economic growth and increasing population.
“Since Dodoma is the nation’s capital, it was necessary for it to have a modern airport capable of accommodating the growing demands arising from economic activities, government functions and social development,” he said.
The first phase of the project, which includes key airport infrastructure, has reached 86.73% completion. The second phase, covering the passenger terminal building, air traffic control tower, and fire and rescue facilities, is 75.1% complete.
Once operational, the airport is expected to improve connectivity between Dodoma and other parts of Tanzania, as well as international destinations. Officials believe it will also attract new investment opportunities and strengthen Tanzania’s position within East Africa’s aviation industry.
Msalato International Airport occupies an area of approximately 4,500 hectares, making it larger than Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya, which covers around 4,000 hectares. Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere International Airport follows with an estimated 1,000 hectares.
The development of the airport reflects Tanzania’s broader ambition to transform Dodoma into a fully functioning administrative and economic hub, supported by modern infrastructure capable of meeting future demands.
