The #Kigongo-Busisi #Bridge, also known as the #MagufuliBridge, is a significant infrastructure project in Tanzania, spanning 3.2 kilometers across the Gulf of #Mwanza. Expected to be completed in February 2024, it will drastically reduce travel time between Kigongo and #Busisi from over 30 minutes by ferry to less than four minutes by car. This bridge, reported to be the longest in East Africa, forms part of the Tanzanian Trunk Road #T4, which runs along Lake Victoria, connecting #Tarime at the Kenyan border to #Bukoba at the Ugandan border.
Before the bridge's construction, the only link between Kigongo and Busisi was via ferry, resulting in lengthy travel times and delays. The project, contracted to a consortium of Chinese state-owned companies, aims to enhance connectivity and facilitate economic growth by increasing vehicle traffic between the two areas. The Tanzanian government fully funds the project, which is estimated to cost TSh 716 billion upon completion.
The bridge project has created over 1,500 jobs, with a significant portion filled by Tanzanians, contributing to capacity building and economic development in the region. Once completed, the bridge will not only improve local transportation but also serve as a crucial link between Tanzania and neighboring countries like #Rwanda, #Burundi, and #Uganda, fostering regional integration and economic prosperity.