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Tanzania has successfully completed the construction of the John Pombe Magufuli Bridge, now officially the longest bridge in East and Central Africa. Spanning 3.2 kilometers across the Gulf of Mwanza on Lake Victoria, the bridge links the Misungwi and Sengerema districts in the Mwanza region. This milestone marks a transformative step in Tanzania’s infrastructure development, significantly improving transportation, regional trade, and economic integration in the Lake Zone and beyond.
Construction of the bridge began in December 2019 during the tenure of the late President John Pombe Magufuli, after whom the bridge is named. It was constructed by Chinese firms China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Railway 15th Bureau Group Corporation. The Tanzanian government financed the project entirely, with a total investment of approximately $300 million (TZS 716.3 billion). Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the bridge was completed in October 2024 and officially inaugurated in 2025.
The bridge, formerly known as the Kigongo–Busisi Bridge, is a state-of-the-art extradosed cable-stayed structure. It is 28.45 meters wide, allowing for two vehicle lanes and pedestrian walkways. Prior to its completion, transportation across the Gulf of Mwanza relied on ferries, which often took up to two hours and were prone to delays. The new bridge reduces travel time to less than four minutes by car, ensuring faster and more reliable connectivity.
The John Pombe Magufuli Bridge is expected to have a profound economic impact on the region. By improving transport efficiency, it will facilitate trade between Tanzania and neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. The bridge will support key sectors including agriculture, fishing, mining, and tourism. Experts project a 10–15% reduction in transportation costs for mining operations, while fish exports are expected to increase by 12% over the next five years due to better access to regional and international markets.
During its construction, the bridge created over 1,500 jobs and contributed to local capacity-building efforts by training Tanzanian engineers and transferring advanced construction technologies. The project is also part of a broader infrastructure vision that includes the expansion of Mwanza Port, the MV ‘Hapa Kazi Tu’ passenger ship, and the Mwanza-Isaka Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), reinforcing the Lake Zone’s position as a strategic economic hub.
This landmark bridge plays a central role in Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025, which emphasizes inclusive economic growth, industrialization, and regional integration. It demonstrates the country’s commitment to delivering high-impact infrastructure that drives socio-economic transformation across borders.
The completion of the John Pombe Magufuli Bridge not only honors the legacy of the late president’s infrastructure-focused leadership but also sets a benchmark for future projects across the continent. With its promise of improved mobility, enhanced trade, and stronger regional ties, the bridge stands as a symbol of progress and possibility for Tanzania and East Africa at large.
