Tanzania completes the 3.2km Kigongo–Busisi Bridge, set to open June 19, 2025—boosting regional trade, logistics, and connectivity across East Africa.
In a historic feat of engineering and regional ambition, Tanzania has completed construction of the Kigongo–Busisi Bridge, officially named the John Pombe Magufuli Bridge, setting the stage for its grand opening on June 19, 2025. Stretching 3.2 kilometres across Lake Victoria’s Gulf of Mwanza, it is now the longest bridge in East Africa, and a cornerstone of Tanzania’s infrastructure modernisation push.
“This bridge is more than concrete and steel—it’s a lifeline for commerce, connectivity, and the communities along the Mwanza corridor,” said Works and Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa during a site visit on May 30. “It reflects Tanzania’s resolve to drive economic transformation through strategic public investment.”
Built over five years with support from Chinese infrastructure firms and local contractors, the Kigongo–Busisi Bridge reduces the travel time between Kigongo and Busisi from 35 minutes by ferry to just 4 minutes by road. It’s expected to drastically improve the flow of goods between the resource-rich western regions and the port city of Dar es Salaam.
Unlocking a Trade Gateway
The bridge forms part of the larger Central Corridor, a critical trade route connecting Tanzania with Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also a key plank in the country’s Vision 2025, a national development blueprint aiming to industrialise the economy through infrastructure-led growth.
According to the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), the project costs over TZS 700 billion ($270 million) and is already attracting logistics and industrial investors eyeing Mwanza as a future regional hub.
“This project enhances Tanzania’s position as a gateway to inland Africa,” said Dr. Zitto Kabwe, a prominent economist and former lawmaker. “It will catalyse trade, reduce transport costs, and stimulate regional integration.”
International Attention and Economic Impact
The bridge’s completion has drawn praise from international lenders and regional trade blocs, including the East African Community (EAC), which cited the project as a model for cross-border infrastructure development.
With Tanzania’s economy projected to grow by 6% in 2025, according to the IMF, analysts see infrastructure upgrades like this as critical enablers of private-sector expansion, especially in agriculture, logistics, and manufacturing.
As the countdown begins for its official unveiling in June, the John Magufuli Bridge stands as a powerful symbol of what East Africa can achieve with long-term planning, political will, and international collaboration.
Tags:Kigongo Busisi Bridge: East Africa Infrastructure: Tanzania Economic Growth: Lake Victoria Connectivity