Chinese Firms Complete $300M Magufuli Bridge Across Lake Victoria

On 6 October 2024, the two sides of Magufuli Bridge across Lake Victoria was finally connected with the final cement pour. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) are the main contractors for the project.

The project kicked off in 2019 but took five years rather than the initially forecasted three years. The cost of the project is about USD 300 million and employed some 1,500 people, mostly Tanzanians. Its construction was entirely financed by the Government of Tanzania.

The bridge connects Kigongo in the Mwanza Region to Busisi in the Geita Region in northwest Tanzania. The bridge was originally named the Kigongo-Busisi bridge and was later renamed in honor of late President John Magufuli, who initiated the project before his untimely demise in 2021.

The bridge is 3.2-km long and has dual-carriageway with a maximum speed of 120 kph. The bridge is anchored on three low pylons and supported by cables. It will cut down travel time between Kigongo and Busisi from 2 hours to 4 minutes. Previously, the ferry crossing took 30 minutes but with the formalities and wait time, it could actually take two hours.

The Magufuli Bridge is marquee project under the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 (#TDV2025) which emphasizes improving infrastructure and #connectivity. Looking at the big picture, the bridge is a key piece of the transport network comprising of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), specifically the Mwanza-Isaka section.

The project also aligns with the Electoral Manifesto 2020-2025 of ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM or Party of the Revolution). On tis party, China hailed the project as yet another success under the Belt and Road Initiative (#BRI). The official date for the inauguration has not been fixed yet, but Tanzanian President Samia Hassan is expected to cut the ribbon by the end of the year.