A new project has appeared on the map of African investments – a sports city in Fumba, located on the island of Unguja, part of the Zanzibar archipelago. The project is led by AFL Architects, who aim to transform this part of Tanzania into a modern hub for sports.

New era for Zanzibar

Zanzibar, long associated with paradise beaches, vibrant spices, and rich history, is now preparing for a new role. Thanks to the planned investment, it is set to become a major landmark on the sports and tourism map of East Africa. The British design firm AFL Architects has announced the launch of a comprehensive masterplan for a sports city in Fumba, in collaboration with Zanzibar’s Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture, and Sports.

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The investment aims to create a space that meets the needs of the local community while also attracting international sports events, concerts, and conferences. As a result, Zanzibar will gain modern infrastructure capable of generating year-round economic and social benefits.

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Heart of project: stadium of future

The centerpiece of the complex will be StadiArena Stadium – a modern, multi-purpose facility designed for flexible use and sustainable development. The stadium responds to the growing demand for football matches and large-scale public events. Like Tanzania National Main Stadium, which has drawn fans to Dar es Salaam for years, StadiArena has the potential to become the beating heart of sports and cultural life in this part of the country. One of the stadium’s standout features will be the StadiDoor system, which allows one of the stands to be converted into a fully enclosed indoor arena. This will ensure the venue can be used to its full potential all year round, regardless of the weather.

But the sports city project goes far beyond the stadium itself. According to plans by AFL Architects, the complex will also include training pitches, a four-star hotel, a modern hospital, and a small passenger port to improve connectivity with the rest of the archipelago and the mainland. All elements are designed to form a cohesive environment capable of meeting the diverse needs of guests from around the world.

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International collaboration as key to success

The architects at AFL – a firm based in Manchester and London – are known for creating spaces that combine modern thinking with local context. Their experience in designing stadiums and public-use facilities has led to a collaboration with Globespan Infrastructure, an investment company from Boston specializing in infrastructure projects and partnering with entrepreneurs preparing to take their ventures to market.

Nick Oliver, Managing Director of Globespan Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of this partnership with AFL: It’s a great pleasure to work with a world-class stadium architect like AFL, bringing their expertise to a project that will leave a lasting impact on Zanzibar’s sports and events landscape.

Globespan Capital Partners, also involved in the initiative, brings additional expertise in scaling and implementing innovative infrastructure solutions, as well as funding. The company, known for supporting startups in IT, SaaS, and mobile sectors, has long invested in solutions with the potential to shape the future of cities and communities.