This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
On September 3, 2019, Tanzania took a significant step towards improving regional connectivity by signing a deal to construct a 3.2km long bridge on Lake Victoria.
The ambitious project, which will cost approximately $265 million, aims to link Tanzania with neighboring countries, including Uganda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda, thereby accelerating trade and boosting the regional economy.
The bridge, which will be built over the Gulf of Mwanza, will have a full capacity of 180 tonnes and will be connected to a 34-kilometre road, allowing 1600 vehicles to pass at a time.
According to reports, the construction tender for the bridge was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Group (CCECG) and China Railway 15th Bureau Group Co Ltd, although the details of commencement and completion have not yet been revealed.
The bridge is expected to replace the Mwanza ferry and improve communications between the commercial hub of Mwanza, creating over 1000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs during the construction period.
