AFL-designed Zanzibar sports destination

Article posted by Coliseum, March 14^th, 2025

Image: AFL Architects

The AFL Architects have announced that they are working on designing a state-of-the-art Sports City in Fumba (village in Unguja, Tanzania), Zanzibar (a Tanzanian archipelago).

‘AFL’ stated that commissioned by the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture, and Sport this transformative development will establish Zanzibar as a leading destination for sport, tourism and major events.

The AFL Architects create places for the communities to live, play and thrive – working alongside the communities every step of the way. They are architects, master planners, urban and interior designers, operating internationally from offices in Manchester and London (UK).

‘AFL’ further stated that at the heart of the project is a multiuse StadiArena Stadium designed for sustainability and versatility.

The StadiArena Stadium in Zanzibar is a multipurpose stadium currently under development designed to host not only football matches but also concerts, conferences and a variety of other sporting events making it a versatile venue with year-round usage potential and long-term economic benefits for the region. The wider development includes training pitches, a four-star hotel, a hospital, and a small passenger port creating a hub for both local and international events.

Its key feature is a unique technology that allows one stand to be converted into a fully enclosed indoor arena using a special ‘StadiDoor’ system enhancing the stadium’s usability for diverse events.

Noted Nick Oliver, Managing Director of Globespan Infrastructure, “It is a delight to be working with a world-class stadium architect such as the AFL bringing their expertise to a project that will have a lasting impact on Zanzibar’s sports and events landscape.”

Globespan Infrastructure is the infrastructure-focused investment area of Boston (US)-based Globespan Capital Partners, a venture capital firm passionate about partnering with the entrepreneurs as they prepare to take their companies to the market. They uniquely serve these companies helping them establish the infrastructure required to scale their offerings.

The Globespan Capital Partners invest in startups in the information technology (IT) infrastructure, software as a service (SaaS), mobile, and Internet industries. With their personal market-facing expertise, strategic approach and strong industry networks they help the companies realize their potential. The venture capital firm’s track record with the entrepreneurs has led them to become a leading venture capital firm across the globe.

With construction set to commence soon this landmark project will shape a dynamic and future-ready sports destination for Zanzibar.

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