Tanzania has recently completed the construction of the Magufuli Bridge, the longest bridge in East Africa. Spanning 3.2 kilometers across Lake Victoria, this $300 million project was funded mainly by the Tanzanian government and built with the support of China as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The bridge, named after the late President John Magufuli, who championed major infrastructure projects, is a low-tower cable-stayed structure. It’s the longest of its kind in Africa, the sixth-longest bridge on the continent, and the longest extradosed bridge in Africa. The main section of the bridge measures 520 meters in length.
Before the bridge, it took travelers about two hours to cross Lake Victoria by ferry. With the opening of the Magufuli Bridge, the travel time has now been reduced to just four minutes. This significant improvement in transportation efficiency is expected to boost trade and economic growth, benefiting Tanzania and its neighboring countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
By connecting regions faster and more efficiently, the Magufuli Bridge is set to enhance Tanzania’s position as a hub for trade and transport in East Africa. This bridge is not just a remarkable feat of engineering but a symbol of the collaboration between China and Tanzania, demonstrating the impact of the BRI in transforming infrastructure and connectivity in Africa.
With its completion, Tanzania is moving closer to realizing its vision of modernizing its infrastructure and improving regional integration. The Magufuli Bridge stands as a landmark achievement in the nation’s development journey.
