Tanzania has officially inaugurated the John Pombe Magufuli Bridge, East Africa's longest bridge spanning three kilometres across Lake Victoria and replacing aging ferry services between Kigongo, a town situated in the Chato District, within the Mwanza Region and Busisi, small centre in the Geita region, a new modern infrastructure developed to enhance connectivity and boosting regional tourism access.
Named after the late President John Pombe Magufuli in recognition of his vision and contributions, the bridge was his brainchild and symbolises his emphasis on investing in infrastructure to stimulate economic activities in the country.
The bridge, which is the longest in East Africa and the sixth longest in the African continent has a capacity to accommodate up to 12.000 vehicles per day and is set to unlock a multitude of economic opportunities in Tanzania and the great lake region.
Inaugurated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on 19th June 2025, the bridge fully funded by domestic resources, is set to dramatically improve travel and transport in the Lake Zone, enhancing access to key regions reducing journey times and once they took a long ferry ride across Lake Victoria now takes just four minutes by car.
According to TANROADS Mwaza Regional Manager, Engineer Paschal Ambrose, the bridge was designed using "extradosed" long- span bridge technology that features three main pylons, each 40 metres high, spaced 150 metres apart.
John Pombe Magufuli Bridge is supported by 67 pillars, with 64 installed along the span, where two pillars are spaced 100 metres apart, while the others are 40 metres apart, Each pillar is anchored by foundation piles drilled between 15.5 and 66 metres deep into Lake Victoria's bed.
With the opening of this new bridge, Tanzania achieves several advantages, the infrastructure provides a direct and reliable link to regional markets including Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, and the development holds significant value for tourism connectivity.
Visitors now have more efficient routes to access several attractions across northern Tanzania, including Lake Victoria and Serengeti National Park, two leading destinations in the African and International tourism landscape.
John Pombe Magufuli Bridge is also expected to support community - based tourism by improving local access and boosting movement of goods and crafts, enhancing overall domestic visitors experience in the area.
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