TANZANIANS need to seize economic opportunities presented by preparations to jointly host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.

Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, the Planning and Investment state minister in the President’s Office, made this appeal at an economic forum hosted by Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda.

He urged swift development of accommodation infrastructure — including rapid expansion of Airbnb-style rentals, stressing the importance of preparing the country.

Hosting is not just about cheering during the tournament but to actively participate in and benefit from the economic gains it brings, he said, underlining that such opportunities would move many people forward economically and avoid being mere spectators or nominal hosts during AFCON 2027.

He emphasized the need to shift the mindset among service providers and prioritize service readiness by modernizing small-scale accommodations, improving hospitality standards and encouraging the development of five-star hotels.

The forum also featured Prof. Patrick Lumumba from Nairobi, a veteran radical in East African militant groups, and his colleague Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, the Culture, Arts and Sports minister. 

During a panel moderated by veteran journalist and ministerial consultant Richard Mgamba, Prof. Mkumbo was asked what opportunities the people of Arusha could tap into to economically benefit from the AFCON event.

 “First, we need a population that is passionate about sports — and Arusha already has that. But second, we must prepare for the influx of visitors, which means developing enough lodging facilities. Airbnb-type solutions are urgently needed. We also need a customer-focused mindset from service providers. When visitor numbers grow, service quality must not decline,” he emphasized.

Entrepreneurs in Arusha need to prepare restaurants, small lodges and Airbnb properties as consumer spending — particularly by visitors — plays a major role in driving up growth at particular moments.

Airbnb is a business model where homeowners rent out their spaces short-term with amenities such as kitchen, living room and bedrooms, as a flexible solution to accommodate tourists.

Prof. Lumumba, in his remarks, echoed the call for action, asserting that “we are here to inspire each other to build Tanzania, the East African Community and Africa — village by village, neighborhood by neighborhood.”

“We must act deliberately, knowing that challenges will come,” he said, urging the audience to think in terms of short-, medium-, and long-term goals, where AFCON presents opportunities for which the public needs to prepare for.

Mohamed Mchengerwa, the Regional Administration and Local Governments state minister in the President’s Office (PO-RALG), also urged abandoning of complacency and embrace a strong work ethic “focused on national development.”

He called on for hope over fear, unity over division and visionary decision-making over short-term politics.

Dr. Selemani Jafo, the Industry and Trade minister, said that AFCON will bring demands for produce that encourage poultry farming, vegetable gardens and salt