Tanzania’s Magufuli Bridge to open June 19, marking historic leap in regional connectivity

May 28, 2025 in Communications, Infrastructure, Trade & Industry, Transport by Editor

Tanzania is set to inaugurate the landmark Magufuli Bridge on June 19, 2025, marking a major milestone in East  Africa’s transport infrastructure. Spanning three kilometres across Lake Victoria and connecting Kigongo to Busisi, the bridge is now the longest of its kind in the region and a transformative addition to East and Central Africa’s  logistics network.

Named in honour of the late President John Pombe Magufuli, the bridge forms a critical part of Tanzania’s Trunk Road T4 corridor, which links the country to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. By replacing the long-standing ferry transport system, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve the efficiency of movement across the Lake Zone.

“The Magufuli Bridge is proof of our nation’s ability to mobilize domestic resources towards transformative development,” said Works Minister Abdallah Ulega. “It will facilitate movement from Kigongo to Busisi, reduce reliance on ferry transportation, and open up economic opportunity throughout the Lake Zone.”

Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who toured the bridge site recently, confirmed the opening date and called on citizens to take pride in the achievement. “This is a time to be proud of our country,” he said. “I urge citizens to turn out in large numbers to welcome the head of state for the official opening.”

Built entirely with domestic funding at a cost of TZS 700 billion (approximately USD 270 million), the bridge stands as a symbol of Tanzania’s capacity to independently finance and execute large-scale infrastructure projects. It was constructed under the direction of the Ministry of Works and has been lauded for its use of in-house engineering and oversight without reliance on foreign funding.

Beyond its headline-grabbing length, the Magufuli Bridge is bolstered by 1.66 kilometres of access roads and is supported by two major feeder routes—the 54.5 km Sengerema–Nyehunge and the 32 km Kamanga–Sengerema roads. Together, they form a strategic logistics hub, strengthening rural access, service delivery, and regional mobility.

The bridge is more than a physical crossing. It is viewed as a catalyst for economic transformation, promoting trade, facilitating regional integration, and enhancing livelihoods across Tanzania’s Lake Zone. Officials say the project will deepen cross-border commerce and integrate communities that were previously divided by the lake.

With the June 19 opening on the horizon, anticipation is building across the country as Tanzania prepares to celebrate an engineering achievement that is not just a national triumph but a beacon for infrastructure-led development across Africa.