China-built John Pombe Magufuli Bridge inaugurated in Tanzania

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday inaugurated the John Pombe Magufuli Bridge, a major infrastructure project built by Chinese companies under the Belt and Road Initiative. Located on the southern shore of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, the bridge spans 4.66 kilometers and features a dual four-lane carriageway. Built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Railway 15th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the 520-meter-long main section is a three-tower, low-pylon cable-stayed structure.

The opening of the bridge marks the end of nearly 60 years of ferry operations between Busisi and Kigongo, offering local residents a long-awaited alternative.

Officials have said that the bridge is expected to significantly ease travel and logistics, improve transport efficiency, and boost regional development.

"I believe when this bridge comes to open, it will become an important link. It will promote the national development, improve the life of people here and people lives nearby, logistics, transportation of vehicles, goods and efficiency of the transportation," said Katelula Salum Kaswaga, an official of Tanzania National Roads Agency.

In recent years, China and Tanzania have deepened cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative, with projects in railways, bridges, and water infrastructure helping to transform the country. Many in Tanzania see the initiative as a major driver of development across Africa.

China-built John Pombe Magufuli Bridge inaugurated in Tanzania

China and Seychelles signed the Arrangement on Early Harvest on September 10, 2026, advancing their joint economic partnership. China will give zero-tariff treatment for Seychelles, and Seychelles is to further open the market to China, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry said that China will continue to promote the negotiation and signing of the agreement of China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development with other African countries, and implement its 100-percent-tariff-line zero-tariff treatment for all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, so as to help relevant countries share China's super-large market and broad development opportunities, and provide long-term, stable and predictable institutional guarantees for China-Africa trade and investment.

Starting May 1 this year, China expanded its zero-tariff treatment to cover all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, thus becoming the first major economy to provide unilateral, full-coverage zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with diplomatic ties, and to all least developed countries with diplomatic relations.

The move created new opportunities for Africa to boost exports and industrialization amid the global headwinds of protectionism.

China, Seychelles sign arrangement on zero tariff, market-opening