Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has addressed calls from Bongo Flava star Diamond Platnumz regarding the need for a modern concert venue in the country. The demand intensified after the Trace Music Summit and Awards in Zanzibar faced major setbacks when the concert stage repeatedly collapsed, causing embarrassment in front of international music executives and industry leaders.
Following the incident, Diamond criticized the poor infrastructure, stating, “Trace struggled to set up a proper stage in Zanzibar, and its constant failure was humiliating. With such flaws, potential investors may think twice before returning. The government must step up and build a proper arena to prevent future mishaps.”
Responding to his concerns, Tanzanian government spokesperson George Msigwa, who also serves as the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Arts, and Culture, confirmed that funding for the project has been secured. “During the president’s visit to South Korea, she secured a $2.5 billion soft loan, from which Tsh450 billion ($172 million) will be allocated for the arena and later for a film village. I understand Diamond’s frustrations; he has personally raised these issues with me, pointing out that while the government invests heavily in football stadiums, musicians are left without proper performance venues,” Msigwa stated.
Meanwhile, a similar discussion is unfolding in Kenya, where actor and filmmaker Abel Mutua is pushing for the construction of a world-class concert arena, inspired by Rwanda’s BK Arena, which has hosted international artists such as John Legend.
