Tanzania Secures Bridge Deal For Central Corridor

Tanzania has signed a deal for the construction of a 3.2km bridge to connect the Kigongo and Busisi areas of Lake Victoria.

The bridge will be built by China Civil Engineering Construction and China Railway 15th Bureau. It is expected to reduce transport times on the Central Corridor and boost trade in the region.  

At the moment vehicles often face a two-hour wait to catch a ferry, followed by a one-hour journey to cross the lake.

Countries in the region are looking to reduce non-tariff barriers to trade in thee region in order to boost local economies. The Government of Tanzania has also set up a one-stop centre to facilitate the haulage of cargo and passengers through the Marine Service Company Ltd and Uganda Railway Corporation.

Last month as Tanzanian President John Magufuli met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni the pair spoke of plans to improve transportation in Lake Victoria. President Magufuli stated that his government was assembling a vessel and repairing five others to improve transportation and stimulate economic activity.