At a Glance
- Tanzania completes the $260 million Magufuli Bridge to ease cross-border trade and cut ferry reliance.
- East Africa’s longest bridge boosts regional logistics, connecting Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC.
- Inauguration set for June 2025 as feeder roads enhance rural access and freight efficiency.
Tanzania has completed construction of the Magufuli Bridge, now the longest bridge in East and Central Africa, stretching three kilometers across Lake Victoria.
Named after the late President John Magufuli, the bridge includes 1.66 kilometres of access roads and connects Kigongo and Busisi in the Mwanza region and is poised to become a key link on the Trunk Road T4, connecting Tanzania to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The $260 million (TZS 700 billion) project was fully funded by the Tanzanian government, underscoring a growing trend of domestically financed infrastructure in Africa.
Built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway 15th Bureau (CR15B), progress on the project was temporarily delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faster cross-border transport and economic integration
Set for official inauguration on June 19, 2025, the Magufuli Bridge is expected to slash travel time across Lake Victoria by eliminating the region’s dependence on ferries.
Government officials say the bridge will significantly improve logistics, unlock trade corridors, and expand access to markets across the Lake Zone and neighboring nations.
“This is a testament to Tanzania’s ability to drive large-scale development with local resources,” said Works Minister Abdallah Ulega. “The bridge will catalyze economic opportunity and improve service delivery in underserved regions.”
Complementary feeder roads expand regional reach
Enhancing the bridge’s impact are two major feeder roads: the 54.5-kilometer Sengerema–Nyehunge Road and the 32-kilometer Kamanga–Sengerema Road.
Together, this infrastructure ecosystem forms a resilient transport network aimed at boosting rural connectivity, logistics efficiency, and cross-border commerce.
Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa called the bridge a symbol of national pride. “I urge citizens to come out in large numbers to welcome the Head of State for the official opening,” he said during a recent site visit.
Transforming infrastructure, driving regional growth
The Magufuli Bridge represents a shift in Tanzania’s infrastructure strategy, signaling a push toward self-reliance, regional trade integration, and sustainable mobility.
As East Africa ramps up transport infrastructure, the project positions Tanzania as a critical hub for intra-African trade and logistics.
With completion of the Magufuli Bridge, Tanzania takes a bold step toward reducing transport costs, accelerating freight movement, and opening up new commercial corridors across East and Central Africa.
