Construction of Uganda’s Akii Bua Olympic Stadium is gaining momentum following the release of a $36.4 million facility from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to Egypt’s SAMCO-National Construction Company.
The financing is part of the bank’s commitment to fast-track key infrastructure projects as East Africa readies to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Located in Lira, northern Uganda, the stadium will serve as one of the country’s flagship venues for the tournament, marking the first time the region has hosted AFCON in over four decades.
Groundwork and foundation works are already complete, with structural development now underway under SAMCO’s supervision.
The financing was first announced earlier this year under Afreximbank’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) programme, designed to empower African contractors to deliver major continental projects.
The funds are covering design, construction, and material procurement to ensure the stadium meets CAF’s international standards.
Afreximbank Executive Vice President Kanayo Awani said the project reflects the bank’s wider strategy to back African firms capable of executing transformative projects.
“We are pleased to see tangible progress on the ground in Uganda. This project showcases Africa’s capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure using African expertise,” she said.
SAMCO Chairman Engineer Sameh Soliman described the ongoing work as “a landmark achievement,” noting that local subcontractors and suppliers have been engaged to stimulate Uganda’s construction ecosystem.
Once completed, the Akii Bua Stadium will host up to 20,000 spectators and serve as a multipurpose sports and events complex.
Beyond AFCON, it is expected to anchor long-term investments in tourism and youth sports development across northern Uganda.
Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, the project’s supervisor, confirmed that the project remains on schedule, with completion targeted before CAF’s mid-2026 inspection window.
The Akii Bua Olympic Stadium is named after John Akii-Bua, Uganda’s 1972 Olympic gold medalist, and forms part of the government’s broader effort to upgrade sports infrastructure ahead of AFCON 2027, co-hosted with Kenya and Tanzania.
