Aiden Kiprop 
JP Magafuli Bridge
President Samia Suluhu Hassan officially inaugurated the J.P. Magufuli (Kigongo–Busisi) Bridge, a 3-kilometer engineering marvel spanning Lake Victoria.
Connecting the Mwanza and Geita regions, the bridge, named after the late President John Pombe Magufuli, stands as the longest in East and Central Africa and the seventh longest on the continent. Its opening marks a transformative step in Tanzania’s infrastructure development and regional connectivity.
The bridge, designed with four lanes, pedestrian walkways, and emergency shoulders, revolutionizes travel across Lake Victoria, reducing crossing times from a three-hour ferry journey to a mere three-minute drive.
Built to accommodate 12,000 vehicles daily and support loads up to 160 tonnes, it is poised to enhance trade corridors linking Tanzania’s Lake Zone to neighboring Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Economists forecast significant benefits, including a 12% increase in fish exports over five years, reduced transportation costs, and improved access to remote areas rich in mining, agriculture, and tourism potential.
Construction began in 2020 under President Magufuli’s leadership but faced significant challenges after his passing in 2021.
When President Samia assumed office, the project was only 25% complete, hampered by financial constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic. Demonstrating resolute leadership, she mobilized over TZS 611 billion to ensure its timely completion.
The toll-free bridge, built to international safety and environmental standards, features a 520-meter cable-stayed central span, 7-meter dual carriageways, and 2.5-meter pedestrian paths. Environmental safeguards were rigorously implemented to protect Lake Victoria’s delicate ecosystem.
The project was a boon for local employment, engaging 34,800 Tanzanians, including 20,000 skilled workers, nine local subcontractors, and 16 manufacturers and suppliers. Specialized training in cable-stay installation, concrete engineering, welding, and safety assurance equipped workers with valuable skills. The Structured Engineers Apprenticeship Programme (SEAP) provided hands-on training for university students and young engineers, fostering a new generation of infrastructure experts.
“This bridge is a gateway to opportunities for women, youth, and entrepreneurs,” President Samia declared during the ceremony. Hon. Abdallah Ulega, Minister of Works, emphasized its role within Tanzania’s broader infrastructure vision, which includes the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project, Standard Gauge Railway, and Bagamoyo Port.
“The Kigongo–Busisi Bridge connects strategic infrastructure, facilitating goods transport via modern railways and regional roads, boosting investment and economic growth,” he said.
As a symbol of national ambition, the J.P. Magufuli Bridge embodies Tanzania’s resilience and unity.
Quoting the nation’s first President, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Minister Ulega noted, “We don’t just build bridges—we build unity and opportunities for our people.” For the Lake Zone’s communities, this bridge is a lifeline to prosperity, cementing Tanzania’s place as a leader in African infrastructure development.
