Tanzania is on the brink of a historic moment in its infrastructure journey. After years of construction and anticipation, the John Magufuli Bridge—a sprawling 3.2-kilometre stretch across Lake Victoria—is ready for launch. When it opens to traffic on June 19, 2025, it will not only claim the title of East Africa’s longest bridge but also stand as one of the ten longest bridges on the African continent.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to lead the formal inauguration, underscoring the national significance of a project deeply rooted in both legacy and ambition.
Named in honor of the late President John Pombe Magufuli, the bridge has transformed from a bold vision into a concrete symbol of Tanzania’s determination to chart its development path using homegrown resources.
“This bridge is more than just steel and concrete—it is a testament to what we can achieve when we believe in our own capacity,” said Abdallah Ulega, Tanzania’s Minister for Works. He described the project as a “flagship” of the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia, stressing its potential to unlock economic opportunities across the Lake Zone.
For decades, the communities of Kigongo and Busisi depended on ferries to cross Lake Victoria—a journey that could take up to three hours due to long queues and unpredictable conditions. The new bridge is set to cut that journey down to just minutes, transforming daily life for thousands of commuters, traders, and transporters.
The late President Magufuli first envisioned the project in 2019, contracting a Chinese consortium—China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway 15th Bureau (CR15B)—to take on the design and construction. Although slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, work continued steadily, fully funded with over TZS 700 billion (roughly $260 million) from Tanzania’s domestic coffers.
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Originally named the Kigongo-Busisi Bridge, it was later renamed to honor Magufuli after his death in 2021—a gesture widely regarded as fitting for a leader whose presidency championed massive investments in infrastructure.
“This bridge represents the kind of long-term thinking Magufuli stood for,” said Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa during a recent site visit. “We are not just building roads—we are building the foundation for generations.”
While the John Magufuli Bridge will undoubtedly ease travel within Tanzania—linking Kigongo and Busisi as part of a larger 90-kilometre highway system—it also carries regional significance. The improved transport corridor is expected to strengthen trade with landlocked neighbors including Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The bridge sits at the heart of a zone rich in mining and agricultural activity. Easier access means better mobility for goods and services and more competitive trade routes—a vital development for a region positioning itself as an economic hub.
With less than a month to go before the official opening, excitement is building not just across Tanzania, but throughout East Africa. For many, this bridge is a dream realized—a promise made years ago that is now being delivered.
As one local resident near Busisi put it, “We used to pray the ferry wouldn’t break down. Now, we’ll drive across the lake like we’re crossing a street. This changes everything.”
From an idea inked on paper to a landmark etched in steel, the John Magufuli Bridge is ready to connect people, power economies, and carry a nation forward—one crossing at a time.
