Tanzania intends to build a bridge that will connect the mainland with the islands of Zanzibar, the deputy minister of Works and Transport Godfrey Kasekenya said in Tanzania's parliament.
According to him, talks about the construction began on March 11, 2023 and are in advanced stages at this point.
Kasekenya pointed out that experts from the Ministry of Works and Transport from Mainland Tanzania and the Ministry of Works, Communications and Transport from Zanzibar had met with the prospective investors of M/S China Overseas Engineering Group Company (COVEC), who have already expressed an interest in building the bridge.
He mentioned that both parties are still working on the outcomes of the meeting, noting that the plan to build the bridge will include a partnership with the private sector.
The idea of the bridge first came up in 2020, when some members of the Tanzanian diaspora introduced a plan to construct a sea bridge to link Unguja Island, Zanzibar, and Dar es Salaam, according to the local media, but it reportedly sparked a lot of debate among Tanzanians, with some arguing it is a day dream. However, science and technology has proved that the project to construct the bridge is possible, funds permitting.