A number of airports across Tanzania are to be upgraded, following the launch of a €50 million airport revamp and expansion programme funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
 

With the funding, regional airports in Kigoma, Bukoba, Tabora, Shinyanga and Sumbawanga will be upgraded to ensure they meet international safety standards and are equipped to handle all-weather operations.
 

The money will also go towards expanding the gateways so they are able to cater for projected growth in traffic and tourism.
 

The European Investment Bank, the European Union’s lending arm, has agreed to provide €50 million in long-term funding over the next 20 years to help finance the project.
 

Upgrading of the five major domestic airports will include provision of all weather asphalt runways at airports that currently cannot operate in the rainy season due to gravel or grass runways.
 

The funding will also improve passenger handling, aircraft parking, access roads and provide secure perimeter fencing to the airports.
 

According to the EIB, improvement of these five regional airports is one of the main priorities for the Government of Tanzania, whose ten-year transport investment programme aims to enhance the country’s “limited air transport infrastructure” which is seen as a “significant obstacle to economic growth”.
 

The airport upgrades are expected to encourage economic development within Tanzania, and support private sector growth through improved transport connections both within the country and to other parts of East Africa.
 

Plutarchos Sakellaris, vice president of the EIB, said: “Improving transport infrastructure is essential for sustainable growth in Tanzania.
 

“The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting transport projects that help private sector growth, improve connections to remote areas and strengthen regional integration across East Africa.”
 

The project will be jointly funded with the World Bank and is expected to be completed by mid-2014.