Tanzania Completes East Africa’s Longest Bridge Dubbed ‘Magufuli Bridge’

Tanzania has completed East Africa’s longest bridge, a landmark 3.2-kilometre structure spanning Lake Victoria in the country’s northwestern Mwanza region.

Named the Magufuli Bridge after the late President John Magufuli, the £240 million ($300 million) project represents a significant infrastructure achievement for the nation.

The bridge, which connects the Misungwi and Sengerema districts, was constructed by Chinese firms China Civil Engineering Construction Group and China Railway.

Notably, the Tanzanian government fully funded the project, which commenced in December 2019 but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the only extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge in the Lake Victoria region, it stands as one of Africa’s top 10 longest bridges. The structure serves as a vital transport link between Tanzania and its neighbours Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda.

The new bridge forms part of the Tanzanian Trunk Road T4, which runs along Lake Victoria, connecting Tarime at the Kenyan border to Bukoba at the Ugandan border.

The magnificent 3.2-kilometre bridge will cut travel time in the area from 2 hours to just 4 minutes, and is scheduled to be inaugurated before the end of the year by Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Construction was completed on 6th October 2023, marked by the pouring of the final cement tank.

Originally named the Kigongo-Busisi Bridge, it was later renamed to honour former President Magufuli, who initiated the project before his death in 2021.

This infrastructure development significantly enhances regional connectivity in East Africa.

The Magufuli Bridge is the only extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge in the Lake Victoria region and the longest of its kind in Africa.

Sources: The Guardian/People’s Daily