MWANZA, Tanzania, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday inaugurated the Chinese-built Magufuli Bridge, which spans Lake Victoria and stands as the longest extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge in Africa.

Hassan hailed the bridge as a transformative infrastructure project, saying it reduces the travel time across the lake from two hours to five minutes.

She added that the bridge will also help boost trade with neighboring countries.

The 4.66-kilometer bridge was constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and the China Railway 15th Bureau. The project's vice manager Qin Rong said that about 95 percent of the workforce was Tanzanian. The involvement resulted in skills development and valuable experience to support future national infrastructure development, Qin said.

Chinese ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said the Magufuli Bridge is a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative and a model of China-Tanzania cooperation, highlighting its broader significance for China-Africa development. ■