Tanzania unveils plans to construct Africa’s longest bridge

Plans to build the longest bridge in Africa have progressed to the advanced stages in Tanzania’s Parliament.

Dar es Salam in Tanzania (Photo: AdobeStock)

The 50km bridge will connect Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s major city, with Zanzibar Island.

Geofrey Kasekenya, Tanzania’s deputy minister of Works and Transport, announced that the China Overseas Engineering Group Company (COVEC) has expressed interest in collaborating on the project and has been in advanced talks with stakeholders on mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

The project is expected to involve a partnership with the private sector to facilitate the construction of the bridge. Although negotiations for the project began in March 2023, a start date for construction has not been set.

Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has prioritised boosting trade with the rest of the continent and taking advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

The Tanzanian government is also discussing plans to build a rail link with Kenya and an electrified railway to connect with Burundi passing through the Democratic Republic of Congo to reduce trade barriers.