As the longest bridge in East and Central Africa, the Magufuli Bridge is Tanzania’s newest but iconic infrastructural win. The bridge, an important project of Tanzania’s Belt and Bridge Initiative, was started in December 2019, completed in December 2024 and officially launched on June 19, 2025 drawing many dignitaries, ministers, ambassadors and enthusiastic Tanzanians to the unveiling.
Built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway 15th Bureau Group Co., the Magufuli Bridge is the brainchild of the late President John Pombe Magufuli, who sadly passed away while the bridge was only about 21% completed. Built entirely with domestic funds totalling about $263 million, the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has described the bridge as “a symbol of Tanzania’s self-reliance, and a catalyst for regional development.”
The bridge, passing through Kigongo in the Mwanza region to Busisi in the Sengerema District is a dual carriage Broadway, spanning a total of 4.66km with dedicated pedestrian walkways. The bridge has not only been described as beautiful but also as a prospect for tourist attraction.
Beyond construction itself, the workforce employed for the project was about 85% Tanzanian, promoting a culture of skills training, knowledge transfer and experience sharing to be applied for future infrastructural development.
The inauguration of the Magufuli bridge has brought an end to an old system of ferry transport, taking away the stress of traders who used to wait long queues for the ferries and also had to battle with them breaking down often. By road, traders only need about five minutes to get to either shores of Southern Lake Victoria, whilst the old ferry system used to take over forty minutes.
The bridge has not only brought a boost in productivity, it serves as an important link to neighbouring countries like Burundi and Rwanda.
Featured image: Photo by yaser alakeel on Unsplash
