By Business Insider Reporter
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has received strong backing from Parliament’s Infrastructure Committee, which praised the regulator for enhancing oversight and driving development in Tanzania’s fast-evolving aviation sector.
The committee visited TCAA’s headquarters in Banana–Ukonga, Dar es Salaam, on February 16, 2026 as part of its oversight mandate to assess the authority’s regulatory performance and sector management.
The delegation was led by Acting Committee Chair and Bukoba Urban MP, Johnston Mutasingwa, on behalf of Committee Chair, Selemani Kakoso.
Oversight at a time of sector expansion
The visit comes at a critical juncture for Tanzania’s aviation industry, which has undergone rapid transformation over the past five years.
Under the Sixth Phase Government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country has invested heavily in airport construction, rehabilitation and expansion projects – including upgrades at regional airports aimed at improving connectivity and boosting tourism and trade.
As aviation traffic gradually rebounds from pandemic-era disruptions, regulatory oversight and technical capacity have become central to sustaining growth while maintaining international safety standards.
During the visit, the Infrastructure Committee urged TCAA to maintain close supervision of the contractor implementing the modern campus expansion project at the Civil Aviation Training Centre (CATC), ensuring the works are completed on time and to the required standards.
Lawmakers stressed that strong regulatory institutions and high-quality training infrastructure are critical to supporting the sector’s long-term competitiveness.
Human capital as a strategic asset
Deputy Minister for Transport, David Kihenzile, who accompanied the committee, said the government’s aviation strategy goes beyond physical infrastructure.
“The Sixth Phase Government is focused on strengthening the aviation sector through construction, rehabilitation and expansion of airport infrastructure, alongside improved regulatory systems,” he said adding:
“These efforts depend on a highly skilled workforce. The Civil Aviation Training Centre, working closely with TCAA, is a key pillar in producing the professionals needed to enable the sector to grow rapidly and safely.”
Industry analysts note that the expansion of CATC is strategically aligned with Tanzania’s ambition to position itself as a regional aviation hub in East Africa, particularly as competition intensifies among regional carriers and airport operators.
Institutional performance review
The parliamentary committee was received by TCAA Board Chair Dr Hamisi Mwinyimvua and later briefed on performance indicators and regulatory milestones by Director General Salim Msangi.
TCAA plays a central role in ensuring compliance with international aviation standards set by bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), while also regulating air navigation services, licensing operators and overseeing aviation safety and security.
For investors and airlines operating in Tanzania, effective regulatory governance is a key determinant of operational stability and international credibility.
Aviation and the broader economy
Aviation remains a strategic enabler of Tanzania’s tourism, mining, logistics and trade sectors. Improved airport infrastructure, combined with robust regulatory systems, enhances the country’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment and international carriers.
The Infrastructure Committee’s endorsement signals parliamentary confidence in TCAA’s direction, while reinforcing expectations around accountability, timely project delivery and regulatory excellence. As Tanzania continues to modernise its aviation ecosystem, the alignment between infrastructure investment, regulatory oversight and human capital development will be critical in determining whether the sector can sustain its upward trajectory – and translate policy ambition into measurable economic returns.
