Tanzania Unveils East Africa’s Longest Bridge, Boosting Regional Connectivity
By The Public Lens
Tanzania has marked a major milestone with the completion of the Magufuli Bridge, East Africa’s longest bridge, spanning 3.2 kilometers across the gulf of Mwanza.
The bridge forms part of the Tanzanian Trunk Road T4, connecting Tarime at the Kenyan border to Bukoba at the Ugandan border, and will significantly cut travel time in the area from 2 hours to just 4 minutes.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is set to inaugurate the bridge before the end of the year, a project initially slated for completion in July 2023 but delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Chinese-built mega infrastructure was handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Group (CCECG) and China Railway, and was entirely financed by the Tanzanian government through its own revenues.
Originally known as the Kigongo-Busisi Bridge, it was renamed JP Magufuli Bridge in honor of Tanzania’s former president John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.
The bridge connects Misungwi and Sengerema districts, providing a crucial link between Tanzania and neighboring countries of Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda.
Its primary goal is to improve connectivity between Mwanza and Geita regions, reducing travel time and transportation costs, and promoting smoother movement of people and goods.
The bridge is part of a broader infrastructure initiative, including the MV ‘Hapa Kazi Tu’ ship and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), specifically the Mwanza-Isaka section.
This project has created over 1,500 jobs, contributing to capacity building and economic development in the region.
Once completed, the bridge will foster regional integration and economic prosperity, aligning with the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 (TDV 2025) and the ruling party CCM Election Manifesto 2020-2025.
The Magufuli Bridge stands as a testament to Tanzania’s commitment to accelerating development and improving accessibility across the country.
