The JP Magufuli Bridge, a monumental infrastructure development in Tanzania has been inaugurated. The country’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan performed the inauguration ceremony of the project which now stands as the longest extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge in Africa.
Stretching 4.66 kilometers across the Mwanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, the bridge connects the towns of Kigongo and Busisi in northwestern Tanzania. Constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in collaboration with the China Railway 15th Bureau Group Corporation, the project was launched in December 2019 and reached completion in May 2025 at a cost of approximately $260 million to $300 million.
JP Magufuli Bridge Project
During the inauguration, President Hassan described the bridge as a transformative achievement that drastically shortens the crossing time across the lake from two hours by ferry to just five minutes by road. She emphasized its role in boosting trade and connectivity within Tanzania and across the East African region, especially with neighboring countries. The bridge is expected to enhance regional integration, reduce transportation bottlenecks, and promote economic development along the corridor.
Beyond its logistical and economic impact, the Magufuli Bridge also represents a milestone in international cooperation and local capacity building. According to the project’s vice manager, Qin Rong, about 95 percent of the workforce involved in the construction were Tanzanian nationals. This high level of local participation contributed significantly to skill transfer and workforce development, equipping Tanzanian engineers, technicians, and laborers with valuable experience for future national infrastructure initiatives.
The bridge is a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative and is seen as a model for China-Tanzania collaboration. Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, praised the project as a symbol of strong bilateral ties and a shining example of mutual development between China and Africa. The completion of the Magufuli Bridge not only enhances Tanzania’s infrastructure network but also illustrates how strategic international partnerships can deliver long-term socio-economic benefits while fostering technological advancement and workforce empowerment at the local level.