The long-awaited construction of Uganda’s Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira has entered a new phase of progress after a $36.4 million financial injection from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to Egyptian contractor SAMCO-National Construction Company.
The funding, part of Afreximbank’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) initiative, is aimed at accelerating strategic infrastructure projects across Africa, particularly as East Africa gears up to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Situated in northern Uganda, the Akii Bua Stadium is envisioned as one of the country’s premier sporting arenas for the continental showpiece. The development marks a significant milestone for the region, which last witnessed Africa’s biggest football event more than forty years ago.
According to project officials, groundwork and foundation stages have been finalized, paving the way for rapid structural construction under SAMCO’s direction. The Afreximbank facility is financing the full design, building, and procurement process to ensure the stadium aligns with the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) the highest standards.
Akii Bua Stadium: Beacon of renewal and prosperity for Northern Uganda
Afreximbank Executive Vice President Kanayo Awani emphasized that the initiative underscores the bank’s mission to strengthen Africa’s capacity to execute its own large-scale 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 hailed the development as a defining moment for regional construction collaboration.
“A landmark achievement,” he called it, adding that the firm had brought local subcontractors and suppliers on board to “stimulate Uganda’s construction ecosystem.”
Once completed, the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium will accommodate approximately 20,000 spectators, designed as a modern, multipurpose sports and events complex. Beyond its AFCON role, it is expected to drive tourism growth and support youth sports initiatives across northern Uganda.
Officials from Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, which oversees the project, confirmed that progress remains on track, with the completion deadline set before CAF’s mid-2026 inspection period.
Named after John Akii-Bua, Uganda’s 1972 Olympic gold medallist and national athletics icon, the stadium forms a key part of the government’s broader infrastructure overhaul as the nation, alongside Kenya and Tanzania, prepares to jointly host AFCON 2027.
