Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially opened the Chinese-built Magufuli Bridge, hailed as Africa’s longest extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge. Spanning Lake Victoria, the structure slashes the crossing time from two hours by ferry to just five minutes by road, unlocking a new era of fast and reliable travel.
Named in honor of the late President John Magufuli, the bridge marks a milestone in Tanzania’s infrastructure push. By linking the shores of Lake Victoria, it creates a seamless corridor for commuters, businesses, and tourists.
Trade is poised for a leap forward as Tanzania taps into markets in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Logistics experts say that turning a two-hour ferry ride into a five-minute drive could significantly cut transport costs, benefiting exporters of agricultural produce and local manufacturers.
For travelers and digital nomads, the new route transforms a slow ferry journey into a quick drive along the lake’s edge. It opens fresh opportunities to explore Tanzania’s lakeside towns, natural reserves, and cultural hotspots with unprecedented ease.
The project highlights the growing footprint of Chinese-built infrastructure across Africa, a trend that’s reshaping the continent’s development landscape. As Tanzania cements its role as a strategic gateway in East Africa, the Magufuli Bridge stands as a testament to how smart infrastructure can connect people, economies, and cultures.
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Tanzania opens Chinese-built Magufuli Bridge, boosting connectivity
cgtn.com
