By Business Insider Reporter
Tanzanian football giants Young Africans SC have taken a historic step towards transforming the country’s sporting landscape after signing a major partnership agreement with GSM Group to construct a modern football stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The agreement, signed on Friday, May 15, in Dar es Salaam, marks one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever undertaken by a football club in Tanzania.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, and brought together senior government officials, sports stakeholders and club supporters.
Under the agreement, Yanga and GSM Group will jointly own the stadium project on a 50-50 basis, with the club contributing land while GSM finances the construction of the facility.
Speaking during the event, Yanga President Hersi Said said the stadium will have a seating capacity of 20,000 spectators and will feature all modern amenities required for international football competitions.
“For nearly 90 years, this club has carried the dream and determination of owning its own stadium,” Hersi said. “Today, we are proud to begin the journey of turning that historic dream into reality.”
He explained that previous generations of Yanga leaders secured and preserved a 35,000-square-metre plot of land more than five decades ago, laying the foundation for the project now taking shape.
According to Hersi, the club’s recent domestic and continental success helped attract investors and reignited hopes of establishing a world-class sports facility.
“When we began achieving strong results on the pitch, many investors became interested in the club. That success created new momentum, enthusiasm and confidence among supporters both inside and outside Tanzania,” he said.
The stadium is expected to be completed and officially inaugurated within 18 to 24 months.
The project is seen as another milestone in the rapid commercial growth of Yanga, which has evolved in recent years from a club once struggling to pay players’ salaries into one of East Africa’s most commercially attractive football brands.
Yanga’s recent achievements include strong performances in the CAF inter-club competitions, expanding sponsorship portfolios and a growing international fanbase. The club has also become a benchmark for professional football management in Tanzania alongside fierce rivals Simba SC.
Football analysts say the stadium project could significantly boost match-day revenues, merchandising opportunities and sports tourism while reducing reliance on government-owned facilities such as Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Chief Executive Officer of GSM Group, Aisha Mohammed, assured supporters that the company would fully deliver on its commitments.
“Our goal is to ensure we build a modern stadium that meets the standards agreed upon,” she said.
Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Muliro Muliro also pledged full security throughout the construction phase.
Regional Commissioner Chalamila urged Yanga members and supporters to continue financially supporting the club instead of focusing only on match results.
“Good results come from serious investment,” he said while commending the club for its remarkable transformation over the years. The project reflects a growing trend across African football, where clubs are increasingly investing in infrastructure, commercial partnerships and long-term financial sustainability in an effort to compete at continental level.
