Airports

In 2024, 64.7% of international visitors arrived in Tanzania by air, anchoring the country's aviation expansion around Zanzibar International Airport (42.7% of air arrivals), Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (34.3%), and Kilimanjaro International Airport (23.0%).

Tanzania's airport network is being modernized to support the country's role as a regional trade hub, expanding tourism, and the co-hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.

The Government has upgraded the major international gateways at Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro (Arusha), is constructing the new Msalato International Airport in Dodoma, and is rehabilitating regional airports and tourism-circuit airstrips to enhance services, support tourism, and facilitate trade.

Air Connectivity and Passenger Traffic

In 2024, a total of 64.7% of international visitors arrived in Tanzania by air, while 33.6% arrived by land and 1.7% by water^[3].

The largest share of air arrivals was recorded at Zanzibar International Airport at 42.7%.

Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam followed with 34.3%, and Kilimanjaro International Airport handled 23.0% of air arrivals.

Leisure and holiday travel was the primary reason for visiting Tanzania, accounting for 86.8% of arrivals, with most leisure travelers originating from the US and Europe.

The dominance of Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro reflects the strong link between airport throughput and leisure tourism circuits.

Julius Nyerere International Airport remains the principal gateway for business and connecting traffic into Dar es Salaam.

Major Airport Infrastructure Projects

The Government modernized infrastructure at Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro (Arusha) international airports, while simultaneously rehabilitating and expanding other regional airports to enhance services, support tourism, and facilitate trade.

Construction of the new Msalato International Airport in Dodoma is expected to be completed by 2026.

Msalato International Airport is also listed among the major infrastructure projects in the Ministry of Works Budget for 2025/2026^[2].

The aviation sector has seen significant investment alongside fleet expansion at Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), which now operates 16 aircraft, including the Boeing 737-9 Max, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and Boeing 767-300F for cargo.

These airport upgrades are designed to improve connectivity and operational efficiency, reinforcing Tanzania's strategic location as a vital regional trade hub for neighboring landlocked countries.

Tourism Circuit Airports and Airstrips

Airport investment is closely tied to Tanzania's tourism circuit strategy, which directs upgrades to where visitor demand is highest or most under-served.

The Southern Circuit, supported by the REGROW Project (Resilient Natural Resources Management for Tourism and Growth), involves upgrading and constructing airports and airstrips in Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha National Parks.

These works are complemented by the establishment of the Southern Tanzania Destination Marketing Center at Kihesa Kilolo in Iringa and new tourist accommodations to support anticipated visitor growth.

In the Northern Circuit, the premier safari route, planned infrastructure projects include major concrete and gravel road improvements across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro reserves, complementing existing airport access through Kilimanjaro.

Airport and airstrip development in the southern parks is intended to unlock the circuit's full potential by shortening travel times for high-value leisure travelers.

Airports as a Driver of GDP Growth

The Bank of Tanzania (BOT) estimates that GDP in Mainland Tanzania grew by 5.5% in 2024 and by 5.9% in 2025.

BOT projects high growth momentum to continue, driven by investment in infrastructure such as railways, roads, airports, and sports facilities, including projects for AFCON, which Tanzania will co-host in 2027.

BOT further projects GDP growth in the second half of 2025/26 to accelerate to more than 6%^[1], with growth driven primarily by public investment in infrastructure including airports.

Aviation infrastructure also supports the downstream petroleum supply chain, as petroleum products are transported by road tanker trucks from coastal terminals to regional depots, retail petrol stations, industrial facilities, power generation plants, and airports across the country.

Policy Framework

Airports fall under the Infrastructure and Digital Transformation pillar of national development, which prioritizes investing in integrated transport systems, including railways, ports, airports, and roads, alongside electricity generation and transmission and digital and ICT networks.

The Tanzanian transport sector is governed by the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Transport, and the Minister of Communication and Information Technology.

Msalato International Airport in Dodoma is a designated priority project in the Ministry of Works Budget for 2025/2026^[2], alongside major road and bridge projects.

Public-Private Partnerships

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been applied to the development of roads, airports, and other facilities, commonly through models such as Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (DBFOM) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT).

A notable example is the expansion of Kilimanjaro International Airport under a management contract.

Tanzania amended its PPP policies in 2023 to create a more enabling environment for investments in infrastructure, utilities, and social services, while maintaining effective Government oversight, with the aim of accelerating investment flows by leveraging private sector expertise, technology, and capital.

Investment Opportunities

The completion of Msalato International Airport in Dodoma by 2026 opens opportunities in ground handling, cargo, fuel supply, retail concessions, and airport-adjacent logistics serving the new political capital.

Tourism-circuit airports and airstrips in the Southern Circuit (Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha) create entry points for private operators in scheduled and charter aviation, fixed-base operations, and lodge transfers connected to REGROW-supported destinations.

With 64.7% of international visitors arriving by air, and Zanzibar International Airport capturing 42.7% of air arrivals, demand for premium passenger services, duty-free retail, and leisure-oriented logistics at coastal and island gateways continues to expand.

Cargo expansion at Julius Nyerere International Airport, supported by ATCL's Boeing 767-300F freighter, points to opportunities in air freight forwarding, cold-chain handling for horticulture exports, and warehousing in support of Tanzania's regional supply-chain role for neighboring landlocked countries.

The 2023 PPP amendments, combined with proven DBFOM and BOT precedents in the sector, enable private participation in airport expansion, management contracts, and concessions for terminals, parking, and ancillary services.

AFCON 2027 co-hosting will drive a near-term spike in passenger throughput, creating opportunities in accommodation, transportation, food, and beverages connected to airport gateways in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and Dodoma.

Last Update: May 2026

References

1. https://www.bot.go.tz/Publications/Regular/Monetary%20Policy%20Statement/en/2026020710260034.pdf (Guide reference #47)
2. https://www.mow.go.tz/uploads/documents/en-1746433881-HOTUBA%20YA%20BAJETI%202025.pdf (Guide reference #74)
3. https://maliasili.go.tz/assets/pdfs/2024MaliasiliStatisticalBulletin.pdf (Guide reference #173)