The African nation will get a new capital of $5 billion

The Tanzanian government has launched the construction of a new capital, with a price tag of 5 billion dollars.

The city, called Magufuli, would be a new administrative capital for the East African country, located 17 kilometers from the current capital, Dodoma. It would mainly house government buildings and services and cover over 617 hectares of land.

Named after former President John Magufuli, who died in office in 2021, the city will be divided into several different zones for various government ministries and diplomatic offices.

According to Construction Review, the building is partially completed, with several government offices currently under construction.

According to the Tanzanian government, the expansion of the new administrative capital will improve government efficiency and ease bureaucratic processes across the country.

The National Housing Corporation, responsible for much of the work in Magufuli Town, told Construction Review: “We are aware of the financial and logistical challenges, but we are committed to seeing this project through to completion.

“The benefits of efficiency, economic growth and improved quality of life are immense.”

Tanzania is not the only African country looking to improve the quality of life through large construction projects. Earlier this week, Ethiopia announced plans to build the continent’s largest airport, with an ambitious 2029 deadline.

The mega airport, which will be located near the town of Bishoftu, about 40 kilometers from the capital Addis Ababa, aims to process 110 million passengers annually once fully operational, surpassing all other airports on the continent.

Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew said the project will have great economic implications for Ethiopia, saying: “The project will not only enhance connectivity but also boost economic growth and prioritize environmentally responsible practices in our country and not only”.

Similarly, a $6 billion futuristic metropolis in Senegal, Africa, backed by singer Akon, reached a critical juncture earlier this year when the Senegalese government issued an ultimatum to begin substantial construction work or risk lose much of the 136 acres of land allocated for the project.

Akon’s original plan for the metropolis, dubbed Akon City, was to transform an area south of Dakar into a modern and vibrant city that would attract business, create jobs and stimulate the economy. However, the site remains undeveloped more than four years after the project began, with only a single arched concrete block marking the project’s foundation.

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