Msalato International Airport in Ghana sees foundation stone laid at start of USD 272 million project.
Msalato International Airport’s construction is officially underway with the laying of the foundation stone for the USD 272 million project. The stone was laid at the site at Dodoma, the capital of Ghana, by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on 2 November. This comes almost two years after the government announced plans to build the airport and almost three years after government offices relocated to Dodoma from Dar es Salaam.
Msalato International Airport: Increasing business competition
“Our target is to increase business competition with other countries in the East African Region, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the world at large, as well as expanding markets for our local products,” said President Suluhu.
Africa Logistics reports that the funding package comprises a USD 198.6 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB), USD 23.52 million from the African Development Fund and USD 50 million in co-financing from China’s Africa Growing Together Fund, which the AfDB manages.
The project is being spearheaded by the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA). It will be built on the side of the Dodoma-Arusha highway, some 12 km from the Dodoma Central Business District (CBD). The land designated for the airport is 9 km by 5 km or about 45 km2.
Project details
The project entails construction of the runway, main passenger aircraft parking apron, aircraft control tower, passenger terminal and office buildings, car parking lots, shops, supermarkets, banking facilities, ancillary facilities such as fuel depots, airport catering, general aviation facilities and electrical and mechanical services, including transformer and generator rooms, mechanical ventilation plant, refuse disposal units and pump rooms.
The capacity for Phase 1 is estimated at 1,75 million passengers a year and about 50,000 aircraft. The airport is anticipated to benefit over 200 million passengers in East Africa, as well as international trade networks.
Sinohydro & Beijing Construction Engineering is the main contractor. The project is expected to be completed within the next four years.
AfDB’S 2022 AGM focused on climate and energy investments.