The bridge is the longest of its kind in Africa
Africa’s longest suspension bridge that cost an incredible £600m and connects two cities
An African country benefits from the continent’s longest suspension bridge which cost £600million to build.
The Maputo–Katembe bridge connects Maputo with Katembe, an urban centre outside of the capital.
The structure, which measures nearly 10,000ft in length, is the longest suspension bridge on the Afircan continent, replacing the Matadi Bridge, for this distinction.
The bridge was built as part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative as Beijing invests heavily in infrastructure projects across the developing world.
Before it was built, the quickest way to travel between Maputo and Kstembe was via ferry. Meanwhile, driving between the two urban centres required a 100 mile journey on unpaved roads that often flood.
Construction started in 2014, and was completed by 2018.
Some have argued that the bridge was overpriced and that the interest on the loan from China was excessive.
Construction started in 2014, and was completed by 2018.
Some have argued that the bridge was overpriced and that the interest on the loan from China was excessive.
Plans for a bridge in Maputo date back as far as 1989, when the World Bank financed an urbanisation project with the inclusion of a new bridge.
When the Mozambician civil war ended in 1992, there was an investment boom in the country in a number of industries, including natural resources.
In 2008, Mozambique expressed interest in building the bridge, but an economic crisis two years later meant it was stalled.
Construction was eventually able to start in 2014.
– Daily Express