By Business Insider Reporter
The government has urged the National Housing Corporation (NHC) to step up investments in Arusha, particularly in areas designated for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as Tanzania intensifies preparations for hosting the continental football showpiece.
The Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Dr. Leonard Akwilapo, said NHC has a strategic role to play in delivering modern housing, hospitality and commercial infrastructure that will support AFCON 2027, which Tanzania will co-host alongside Kenya and Uganda.
Speaking during an official engagement with NHC leadership, Dr. Akwilapo said the government has directed all ministries, departments and public institutions to contribute meaningfully to the success of the tournament, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors, investors and football fans from across Africa and beyond.
“AFCON 2027 is not just a football event; it is a major economic and branding opportunity for Tanzania,” he said. “The Ministry of Lands has already surveyed areas earmarked for AFCON-related developments. NHC should now assess how it can participate through construction and targeted investment.”
Pushing for immediate action
The Minister stressed the need for urgency, urging NHC to move beyond planning and take decisive action in developing buildings that will support the tournament and leave a lasting legacy for host cities.
“I believe in action here and now,” Dr Akwilapo said. “I expect NHC to take concrete steps and deliver developments that will contribute directly to the successful hosting of AFCON.”
Arusha is expected to play a critical role during the tournament, given its strategic location, growing hospitality sector and proximity to regional transport links. Planned investments include accommodation facilities, mixed-use developments, urban regeneration projects and supporting infrastructure aimed at easing pressure on existing housing and hotel capacity.
AFCON as a catalyst for urban development
Tanzania’s co-hosting of AFCON 2027 has been widely viewed as a catalyst for accelerating infrastructure development, particularly in transport, sports facilities, housing and urban services. Beyond stadiums, the tournament requires adequate hotels, serviced apartments, commercial spaces and modern urban amenities capable of meeting international standards.
For NHC, the directive aligns with its broader mandate of developing land and housing assets while generating commercial returns.
The corporation has increasingly been positioned as a key player in government-led urban transformation projects, particularly in fast-growing cities.
Analysts say strategic investments linked to AFCON could allow NHC to expand its property portfolio, strengthen long-term rental income and enhance asset values, while also supporting national development priorities.
NHC signals readiness
Earlier, welcoming the Minister, NHC Director General Hamad Abdallah said the corporation is ready to comply with government directives and explore viable investment opportunities linked to AFCON 2027.
“NHC is prepared to listen to guidance from the government and translate it into practical projects that support national objectives,” Abdallah said. As Tanzania gears up for one of the biggest sporting events on the continent, the government’s message is clear: public institutions such as NHC are expected not only to support the tournament but also to leverage it to drive sustainable urban development and long-term economic gains beyond 2027.
