In a bold move set to transform the economic landscape of northern Tanzania, the government is embarking on a major infrastructure overhaul in Mwanza with the planned construction of a four-lane highway integrated with a future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.
The ambitious project, led by the Ministry of Works through the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), will connect Mwanza City to Usagara and is expected to ease traffic congestion, open new investment opportunities, and boost regional trade.
Speaking on the development, TANROADS Mwanza Regional Manager, Engineer Ambrose Pascal, said preparations for the construction have been completed and implementation will begin immediately after the successful bidder is identified through the ongoing tender process.
"This road will be a four-lane highway with a dedicated space in the middle for a future BRT system," he said. "It’s part of a broader government plan to decongest the Mwanza–Usagara corridor and modernize urban transport."
But the transformative vision for Mwanza doesn’t stop there.
Alongside the highway, the government is investing in key bridge infrastructure to unlock regional connectivity. Among them is the Simiyu Bridge, located 65 kilometers from Mwanza and 3 kilometers from Magu. The 175-meter-long bridge, being built by the Chinese firm CCECC at a cost of Sh48 billion, is already 60 percent complete and expected to be finished by November 30, 2025.
The bridge will feature dual lanes, enabling two-way traffic—a significant improvement over the current one-lane system that requires vehicles to take turns. This upgrade is expected to drastically cut travel time and reduce logistical bottlenecks for traders and commuters traveling between Mwanza, Mara, and Simiyu regions.
TANROADS is also progressing with the construction of the 70-meter Sukuma Bridge and its 2.3-kilometer approach road, implemented by local contractor Mumangi Construction at a cost of Sh9.78 billion. The project is also 60 percent complete and is scheduled for completion in November 2025.
“These projects are not just about infrastructure,” said Engineer Pascal. “They are catalysts for economic growth. By improving transport efficiency, we reduce travel time and transport costs, which in turn stimulates business activity, investment, and job creation across Mwanza and neighboring regions.”
With Mwanza increasingly positioning itself as a commercial and transport hub in the Lake Zone, the new road and bridge investments are seen as strategic tools for accelerating regional integration and prosperity.
As the region gears up for this infrastructure revolution, residents and businesses alike are anticipating new economic possibilities that will reshape the future of Mwanza.