They finally built that bridge over Lake Victoria. The JP Magufuli Bridge, linking Kigongo in Mwanza Region and Busisi in Geita Region, was officially opened by President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Named for the late President John Magufuli, the structure spans three kilometers across the water, with approach roads making it even longer. At 28.45 meters wide, it is now the longest bridge in East and Central Africa. The project was fully paid for by the Tanzanian government at a cost of about 718 billion shillings. Chinese firms, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Railway 15 Bureau Group Corporation, handled the construction.
President Samia noted the bridge moves the nation past unreliable ferry travel. She shared that Magufuli's own ferry safety worries sparked the idea for a permanent crossing. When she took office, the project was only a quarter finished. A TANROADS regional manager, Engineer Paschal Ambrose, credited the completion to consistent government funding. He said the bridge will improve connections between Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC. Over 1,050 jobs were created during the building, with 966 going to Tanzanian workers.
Experts think the bridge will majorly boost the area. Business analyst Dr. Sylvester Jotta said it could turn Mwanza City into an international trade center. He advised locals to think bigger to grab new chances in tourism and hotels. The improved route is already cutting travel time for transport, like truck driver Mashimba Petro, who delivers goods around the Lake Zone. The government is being urged to upgrade other local infrastructure, like roads and power, to keep up with expected growth.
President Samia noted the bridge moves the nation past unreliable ferry travel. She shared that Magufuli's own ferry safety worries sparked the idea for a permanent crossing. When she took office, the project was only a quarter finished. A TANROADS regional manager, Engineer Paschal Ambrose, credited the completion to consistent government funding. He said the bridge will improve connections between Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC. Over 1,050 jobs were created during the building, with 966 going to Tanzanian workers.
Experts think the bridge will majorly boost the area. Business analyst Dr. Sylvester Jotta said it could turn Mwanza City into an international trade center. He advised locals to think bigger to grab new chances in tourism and hotels. The improved route is already cutting travel time for transport, like truck driver Mashimba Petro, who delivers goods around the Lake Zone. The government is being urged to upgrade other local infrastructure, like roads and power, to keep up with expected growth.
