President Samia Suluhu Hassan today presided over the grand opening of the J.P. Magufuli (Kigongo–Busisi) Bridge, a 3-kilometer engineering triumph spanning Lake Victoria.
Connecting Mwanza and Geita regions, the bridge—named in honor of the late President John Pombe Magufuli—is the longest in East and Central Africa and the seventh longest on the continent.
President Samia’s leadership in completing this landmark project underscores her commitment to Tanzania’s infrastructure transformation.
The bridge, featuring four lanes, pedestrian walkways, and emergency shoulders, slashes the Lake Victoria crossing time from three hours by ferry to three minutes by car.
Designed to handle 12,000 vehicles daily and support loads up to 160 tonnes, it strengthens trade links with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Economic projections highlight a 12% increase in fish exports over five years, reduced transport costs, and better access to mining, agriculture, and tourism opportunities in the Lake Zone.
When President Samia assumed office in 2021, the project, initiated in 2020, was only 25% complete and grappling with financial setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic. Demonstrating remarkable resolve, she mobilized over TZS 611 billion to ensure its completion.
The toll-free bridge, built to international safety and environmental standards, boasts a 520-meter cable-stayed span, 7-meter dual carriageways, and safeguards to protect Lake Victoria’s ecosystem. “This bridge is a promise kept to our people,” President Samia declared at the ceremony.
The project employed 34,800 Tanzanians, including 20,000 skilled workers, nine local subcontractors, and 16 manufacturers.
Specialized training in cable-stay installation, concrete engineering, and safety assurance empowered workers, while the Structured Engineers Apprenticeship Programme (SEAP) nurtured young engineers and students, building long-term expertise. The bridge’s construction showcased Tanzania’s capacity to leverage local talent and resources.
As part of Tanzania’s ambitious infrastructure agenda—including the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project, Standard Gauge Railway, and Bagamoyo Port—the bridge enhances regional connectivity and economic productivity.
“This is a bridge of opportunities for women, youth, and entrepreneurs,” President Samia emphasized. Minister of Works Abdallah Ulega added, “It integrates with our modern railway and regional roads, driving investment and growth.”
Quoting Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, President Samia reflected, “We build bridges to unite and uplift our people.”
The J.P. Magufuli Bridge stands as a testament to her vision, transforming the Lake Zone into a hub of opportunity and cementing Tanzania’s leadership in African infrastructure development. For communities on both sides of Lake Victoria, this bridge is a lifeline to a brighter future.
