A new VIP guesthouse built by a Chinese construction firm has been officially opened at Tanzania’s main international airport, strengthening facilities for high-level diplomatic visits and underscoring close infrastructure cooperation between Tanzania and China.
The facility, located at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, was inaugurated on Friday and has now entered operational use, Tanzanian authorities said.
Tanzanian Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi presided over the opening ceremony, describing the guesthouse as a major upgrade to the country’s capacity to host visiting heads of state and other senior officials. He said the complex can accommodate up to five heads of state and accompanying delegations at the same time.
According to Nchimbi, the new facility will play an important role in supporting diplomatic engagements, official visits and international events hosted by Tanzania, particularly those involving high-level delegations arriving by air.
Chinese contractor delivers project
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The project was built by China Railway Jianchang Engineering Company (CRJE) (East Africa) Limited, a subsidiary of a major Chinese state-linked construction group with operations across the region.
CRJE said the guesthouse was completed in just 75 days, significantly ahead of the original 10-month construction schedule. The company described the project as the fastest delivery of a national-level public building in Tanzania, while maintaining required quality and safety standards.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jiang Yuntao, chairman of CRJE (East Africa) Limited, said the facility would serve as an important venue for Tanzania’s foreign affairs activities. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s infrastructure development and strengthening cooperation between Chinese firms and local partners.
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Part of wider China–Tanzania cooperation
Vice President Nchimbi said the successful completion of the project reflected the growing presence and technical capacity of Chinese companies operating in East Africa. He also described the guesthouse as an example of practical cooperation between Tanzania and China under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, which supports infrastructure development across Africa and other regions.
China has financed and constructed a wide range of infrastructure projects in Tanzania, including roads, ports, railways and public buildings. Tanzania is a key partner in China’s Africa engagement, with cooperation dating back to the Cold War era, most notably the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) line built in the 1970s.
Analysts say airport infrastructure has become an increasingly important focus for African governments seeking to improve connectivity, attract investment and raise their international profile.
Design and facilities
The VIP guesthouse is located near Terminal 1 of Julius Nyerere International Airport and covers an area of about 4,800 square metres.
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The complex consists of a two-storey main structure, with some sections rising to three floors. It includes a reception hall, multiple VIP lounges, meeting and conference rooms, and a range of supporting service facilities designed to meet official hospitality requirements.
Airport officials said the layout allows visiting dignitaries to be received, accommodated and processed efficiently, while maintaining security and privacy.
Julius Nyerere International Airport is Tanzania’s busiest aviation hub, handling the majority of the country’s international passenger traffic. Authorities have been upgrading airport facilities in recent years to cope with rising passenger numbers and growing diplomatic and commercial activity.
Infrastructure and diplomacy
The opening of the VIP guesthouse comes as Tanzania continues to invest in transport and public infrastructure as part of its broader development agenda. Improved facilities for official visitors are seen as supporting diplomatic engagement, international cooperation and the hosting of regional and global meetings.
For China, such projects reinforce its role as a major infrastructure partner in Africa, while also deepening political and economic ties with host countries.
Tanzanian officials said the guesthouse will immediately begin serving official delegations, enhancing the country’s readiness to host visiting leaders and senior representatives.
As air traffic and diplomatic exchanges increase, authorities say the new facility will help position Dar es Salaam as a key gateway for high-level international engagement in East Africa.
