News Infrastructures

Tanzania Completes $260M John Magufuli Bridge Over Lake Victoria

Tanzania Completes $260M John Magufuli Bridge Over Lake Victoria
Thursday, 22 May 2025 11:37
  • 3.2 km bridge connects Kigongo and Busisi, longest in East Africa
  • Replaces ferry system, cutting travel time and boosting safety
  • Enhances trade links between Tanzania and landlocked neighbors

Tanzania has completed the construction of the John Magufuli Bridge across Lake Victoria. According to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, the bridge will officially open to traffic on June 19. At 3.2 kilometers, it is the longest bridge in East Africa and ranks among the ten longest on the African continent.

The project, valued at approximately TZS 700 billion (about $260 million), links the towns of Kigongo and Busisi. It will form part of a broader 90-kilometer highway network connecting Usagara, Sengerema, and Geita in the northwest.

Before the bridge, vehicles relied on ferries to cross the lake—a process marked by long wait times and safety concerns. Crossing the lake could take up to three hours, including delays in boarding.

The bridge is expected to streamline transportation by significantly reducing travel time and improving safety for passengers and cargo. It will also serve as a key trade corridor, strengthening economic connectivity between Tanzania and landlocked countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

By improving logistics and regional integration, the John Magufuli Bridge is positioned to become a critical piece of infrastructure supporting East Africa’s broader economic development.

On the same topic
• Rwandan government to inject new funds into delayed Bugesera Airport project• Allocation included in 2025/2026 budget to help meet new 2027 launch...
• Tunisia to receive €160 million from the EBRD for rail upgrades• The total investment of €185 million includes €25 million from the...
Angola to add 1,200 km of new railway lines under its transport reform plan Intelligent systems will improve safety and operational...
• South Africa launches initiative to create SASCO, its first national shipping firm since 1999.• A steering committee will explore models including ship...
Most Read
01

BCEAO lowers main rate from 3.50% to 3.25% effective June 16, 2025 Inflation eased to 2.3% in...

BCEAO Cuts Key Rate to 3.25% to Stimulate Regional Growth
02

• Funding resumes after 2023 suspension tied to Uganda’s anti-LGBT legislation• Three new projects a...

World Bank Resumes Support to Uganda Despite LGBT Law Concerns
03

Wingu Africa raised $60 million from South Africa’s Rand Merchant Bank Funds will expand...

Wingu Africa Secures $60mln to Boost Digital Infrastructure
04

• Ghana aims to secure LBMA license to boost refinery access to global markets• Reforms include gold...

Ghana Launches Reforms to Pursue LBMA License for Gold Refineries
05

AfDB raised $3 billion in a two-part bond issuance in U.S. dollars. The deal included th...

AfDB Raises First-Ever 10-Year Global Dollar Bond
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com 
Téls: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.