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Tanzania Toll Roads Complete Guide 2026

System: Single toll plaza with per-trip and bundle subscription payments
Operator: National Social Security Fund (NSSF) — 60% stake; Government of Tanzania — 40%
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS / Sh)
Coverage: Nyerere Bridge (Kigamboni Bridge), Dar es Salaam — Tanzania's only toll facility
Technology: Manual toll collection at booths; online bundle subscription portal (bridge-portal.nssf.go.tz)

Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Tanzania? 2026 Update

Yes — but only if you cross the Nyerere Bridge (also known as Kigamboni Bridge or Daraja la Nyerere) in Dar es Salaam. Tanzania operates just one toll facility in the entire country. All other roads, bridges and highways — including the newly opened John Pombe Magufuli Bridge on Lake Victoria — are completely free to use.

Key Reality: The Nyerere Bridge is Tanzania's first and only toll infrastructure, operated as a PPP by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to recover its $135 million construction cost over a 25–30 year concession. Tolls were cut by approximately 50% in May 2022 following public outcry, and bundle daily/weekly/monthly passes were introduced at the same time. These rates remain current in 2026 — no further changes have been announced.

June 2025 Update: Tanzania inaugurated the John Pombe Magufuli Bridge (Kigongo–Busisi) spanning 3.2 km across Lake Victoria — now the longest bridge in East Africa and the sixth longest in Africa. Critically, this bridge was fully funded by domestic government revenue and carries no toll. It serves trunk road T4 linking Mwanza and Geita regions, dramatically cutting cross-lake transit from a 35-minute ferry to a 5-minute drive.

Tanzania Toll Calculator

Tanzania Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)

All toll rates below apply exclusively to the Nyerere Bridge toll plaza in Dar es Salaam. These rates were set in May 2022 following a government-ordered 50% reduction and remain unchanged as of April 2026. Bundle passes offer substantial savings for regular commuters and residents of Kigamboni district.

Nyerere Bridge Toll Rates by Vehicle Class (2026)

Vehicle Type	Per Trip (TZS)	Daily Pass (TZS)	Weekly Pass (TZS)	Monthly Pass (TZS)
Motorcycles (Bodaboda)	300	500	2,000	5,000
Three-wheelers (Bajaj / Rickshaw / Carts)	500	3,000	10,000	20,000
Saloon Cars / Private Light Vehicles	1,500	2,500	12,000	35,000
Buses / Commercial Vehicles	Reduced (see note)	Varies	Varies	Varies
Pedestrians / Cyclists	FREE	—	—	—

Note: All rates effective since May 2022 following a ~50% government-ordered reduction. Commercial bus rates were significantly cut from the previous Sh5,000 per trip; contact NSSF for current commercial vehicle schedules. Bundle daily pass allows unlimited crossings in one direction or both for the calendar day. No rate increase has been announced for 2026.

Bundle Pass Savings Example — Saloon Car

Payment Method	Cost	Crossings Covered	Effective Rate per Crossing
Per trip (cash)	1,500 TZS	1	1,500 TZS
Daily pass	2,500 TZS	Unlimited (1 day)	~625 TZS (2 crossings/day)
Weekly pass	12,000 TZS	Unlimited (7 days)	~857 TZS/day
Monthly pass	35,000 TZS	Unlimited (30 days)	~1,167 TZS/day

How to Pay Tanzania Tolls

Toll payments at the Nyerere Bridge are made in one of two ways:

1. Cash at Manned Toll Booths:

• Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) accepted at all 14 controlled lanes (7 per direction)
• Carry correct change where possible — booths are busy during peak hours
• Available 24/7 at the toll plaza on both the Kurasini and Kigamboni approach sides
• Suitable for visitors and occasional users crossing once or twice

2. Bundle Subscription via NSSF Portal:

• Daily, weekly, or monthly unlimited-crossing passes for registered vehicle owners
• Register online at bridge-portal.nssf.go.tz — vehicle registration required
• Best option for Kigamboni residents and regular daily commuters; monthly pass pays for itself in fewer than 24 trips
• Mobile payment integration is being developed to make top-ups easier via mobile money platforms

To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types crossing the Nyerere Bridge, use the TollGuru Tanzania toll calculator:

Tanzania Toll Calculator

Tanzania's Bridges: Tolled and Toll-Free (2026)

Tanzania's rapid bridge construction programme has produced several major crossings in recent years. Only the Nyerere Bridge charges a toll — all others are government-funded and free.

Major Bridges by Toll Status (2026)

Bridge	Location	Length	Toll Status	Opened
Nyerere Bridge (Kigamboni)	Dar es Salaam — Kurasini to Kigamboni	680 m + 2.5 km approach	TOLL — 300–1,500 TZS/trip	April 2016
JP Magufuli Bridge (Kigongo–Busisi)	Mwanza–Geita, Lake Victoria (Trunk Road T4)	3.2 km (+ 35 km access road)	FREE — government funded	June 2025
Tanzanite Bridge (Selander)	Dar es Salaam — city bypass	680 m	FREE	2016
Pangani Bridge	Tanga Region	—	FREE (under construction 2026)	Ongoing
Jangwani, Mbambe, Simiyu, Mirumba, Sukuma, Mitomoni Bridges	Various regions	—	FREE (government-funded, under construction)	Ongoing 2026

Recent Changes & Key Developments (2026)

June 2025 — John Pombe Magufuli Bridge Opened (Toll-Free):

• President Samia Suluhu Hassan inaugurated the 3.2 km John Pombe Magufuli Bridge (Kigongo–Busisi) on 19 June 2025, now the longest bridge in East Africa and sixth longest in Africa
• Spans the Gulf of Mwanza on Lake Victoria, linking Mwanza and Geita regions on Trunk Road T4
• Reduces cross-lake crossing from a 35-minute ferry to approximately 5 minutes by road
• Constructed by CCECC and China Railway 15th Bureau; cost TZS 682–700 billion (~USD 280–295m), fully financed by the Government of Tanzania
• Expected to reduce cross-lake logistics costs by 10–15%; connects to regional markets in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC
• Supports 3,500 vehicles daily; a 35 km tarmacked access road to Mwanza city accompanies the bridge — no toll charged

March 2026 — TZS 1.319 Trillion Infrastructure Investment:

• Works Minister Ulega reported to Parliament (23 March 2026) that Tanzania released TZS 1.319 trillion to infrastructure projects in the 2025/26 financial year
• TANROADS completed 206.33 km of new tarmac roads and four major bridges in the period
• 76 of 81 emergency bridge reconstruction projects (damaged by El Niño rains) now complete as of March 2026
• Multiple strategic bridges under active construction: Pangani, Jangwani, Mbambe, Sukuma, Simiyu, Mirumba and Mitomoni

TANROADS Weighbridge Expansion:

• Fixed weighbridges expanded from 67 to 79; mobile weighbridges from 17 to 22
• 20 new Weigh-in-Motion systems installed to measure vehicle loads without stopping
• Overloading enforcement strengthened to protect Tanzania's expanding road and bridge network

Nyerere Bridge — Tolls Remain, No Change in 2026:

• The 2022 reduced rate schedule and bundle pass system remain current — no new increases or decreases announced for 2026
• Cumulative toll revenue: Sh66.8 billion collected in the bridge's first six years (2016–2022); generating approximately US$7–8 million annually at current rates
• Pressure from Kigamboni residents for complete toll abolition continues; government maintains tolls are necessary to service the construction loan and protect NSSF pension fund investments
• 25–30 year concession period runs to approximately 2041–2046

Nyerere Bridge — Key Facts

The Nyerere Bridge is Tanzania's landmark infrastructure project and the country's only toll facility. Understanding the bridge helps explain why tolls are charged and how the system works.

Location and Purpose:

• Connects Kurasini ward (Temeke District, Dar es Salaam mainland) to Kigamboni District across the Kurasini estuary
• Ends over 100 years of dependence on the Kivukoni Ferry as the only vehicular crossing; ferry still operates as a free alternative
• Joins the Mandela Expressway via an elevated free interchange on the Kurasini side
• Opened 19 April 2016 by President John Magufuli (who renamed it from Kigamboni Bridge to Nyerere Bridge in honour of Tanzania's founding father)

Technical Specifications:

• Length: 680 metres (main cable-stayed bridge span) + 2.5 km approach roads (1 km Kurasini side, 1.5 km Kigamboni side)
• Width: 32 metres; six vehicle lanes (three per direction) + two pedestrian/cyclist lanes (2.5 m wide each side)
• Toll plaza: 14 controlled lanes (7 per direction); pedestrian and cyclist lanes are toll-free
• Construction cost: $135 million (TZS 313.5 billion); first cable-stayed cross-sea bridge in sub-Saharan Africa at time of opening
• Built by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) and China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group (CRMBEG)
• Speed limit: 25 km/h on the bridge deck, strictly enforced

Ownership and Concession:

• NSSF (National Social Security Fund): 60% institutional financier and concessionaire; responsible for design, construction financing, operations, maintenance and toll collection
• Government of Tanzania: 40% stake
• Project financed 100% from domestic resources — no foreign debt involved
• NSSF will transfer the bridge back to the Government at the end of the 25–30 year concession period (circa 2041–2046)
• Toll revenue is used to service NSSF's investment and fund bridge maintenance

Planning Your Journey

Crossing to Kigamboni — What to Expect:

• Peak congestion: 7–9 AM (inbound to Dar es Salaam) and 5–7 PM (outbound to Kigamboni) — allow extra time
• Weekend and off-peak traffic is lighter with the same toll rates
• Carry small Tanzanian Shilling notes for smooth cash payment — exact change speeds up lanes during peak hours
• Occasional visitors: Pay per trip (1,500 TZS for a car). Residents crossing twice daily: monthly pass (35,000 TZS) is far cheaper than per-trip cash
• The bridge offers striking harbour views of Dar es Salaam and the Indian Ocean

Free Alternative — Kivukoni Ferry:

• The traditional Kivukoni ferry remains operational and free of charge — no toll applies
• Slower and subject to weather conditions; useful for pedestrians, cyclists and those wishing to avoid the toll
• No other bridge connection to Kigamboni exists; the bridge and ferry are the only two options

For Travellers Visiting the Lake Zone:

• The JP Magufuli Bridge (Kigongo–Busisi) provides a free, fast crossing over Lake Victoria on Trunk Road T4 — no toll charged
• Crossing time: 5 minutes by road (down from 35 minutes by ferry); dramatically improves access to Mwanza city and onwards to Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi
• Tourism routes to Serengeti National Park are now more accessible from northern Tanzania via this corridor

Tanzania vs. Regional Countries (2026)

Country	System Type	Current Status	Typical Car Cost
Tanzania	Single toll plaza; cash + bundle passes	One bridge only (Dar es Salaam)	300–1,500 TZS per trip
Kenya	ETC (M-PESA / Expressway card)	Active — Nairobi Expressway	KES 100–350 per trip
Uganda	Electronic expressway tolling	Active — Kampala-Entebbe Expressway	UGX 5,000–15,000 per section
South Africa	Cash + e-tag + contactless; national network	Active; 3.12% increase March 2026	ZAR 15–126 per plaza
Nigeria	Cash; PPP concession expanding	Keffi-Makurdi corridor live	₦ 500–1,600 per gate
Egypt	Smart ETC + cash; intercity highways	Active on major Cairo corridors	EGP 10–30 per journey

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any other toll roads in Tanzania besides the Nyerere Bridge?

No. The Nyerere Bridge is Tanzania's sole toll facility as of 2026. All other roads, highways and bridges — including the massive new John Pombe Magufuli Bridge on Lake Victoria (opened June 2025) — are government-funded and entirely free to use. Tanzania's approach is to fund most infrastructure through domestic revenue rather than PPP tolling.

Can I avoid paying the Nyerere Bridge toll?

Yes — the traditional Kivukoni Ferry remains operational as a free alternative. It is slower, subject to weather conditions, and does not carry freight vehicles easily, but it is free of charge. Pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Nyerere Bridge itself are also free; only motorised vehicles pay the toll.

How do bundle passes work?

Bundle passes allow unlimited crossings within the purchased period — daily, weekly or monthly. Register your vehicle at bridge-portal.nssf.go.tz with your vehicle registration number. Once registered, a daily pass (2,500 TZS for a saloon car) allows unlimited crossings in both directions for that calendar day, making it significantly cheaper than paying 1,500 TZS per trip if you cross twice or more.

Why does Tanzania have only one toll road?

The Nyerere Bridge was uniquely financed as a PPP between NSSF (60%) and the Government (40%), requiring toll collection to recover the $135 million construction investment over 25–30 years. This was Tanzania's first tolling experiment. All subsequent major bridges — including the much larger and more expensive JP Magufuli Bridge (TZS 682+ billion) — have been funded entirely from government domestic revenue without tolls, reflecting the government's stated preference for toll-free infrastructure where budget permits.

Will the Nyerere Bridge toll ever be abolished?

The government has consistently rejected complete abolition, most recently confirming that tolls must continue to service the NSSF construction loan and protect pension fund members' investments. President Samia's administration chose to reduce rates by 50% and introduce bundle passes rather than remove the toll entirely. Unless NSSF's construction costs are fully recovered early or the government buys out the concession, tolls are expected to continue until approximately 2041–2046.

Is electronic payment available at the bridge?

Currently, on-the-spot payments are cash only. Bundle subscriptions are managed through the online NSSF portal (bridge-portal.nssf.go.tz), and mobile payment integration for top-ups is in development. Full electronic toll collection at the plaza (e-tag or tap-to-pay) has not yet been implemented.

Useful Links & Resources

East African Toll Networks:

• Kenya Toll Roads — Nairobi Expressway; M-PESA electronic payment
• Uganda Toll Roads — Kampala-Entebbe Expressway; electronic tolling
• South Africa Toll Roads — Extensive national network; 3.12% increase March 2026
• Nigeria Toll Roads — Federal HDMI concessions; Keffi-Makurdi corridor active since Feb 2025
• Ghana Toll Roads — MLFF e-tolling launching Q4 2026
• Egypt Toll Roads — Smart ETC + cash on Cairo-area highways
• Côte d'Ivoire Toll Roads — Active tolls on Abidjan corridor
• Morocco Toll Roads — National autoroute network with Télépéage

Official Authorities:

• NSSF Nyerere Bridge page: nssf.go.tz/pages/daraja-la-nyerere
• NSSF Bridge Bundle Portal: bridge-portal.nssf.go.tz — register vehicle, buy passes, track trip history
• TANROADS (Tanzania National Roads Agency) — national road and bridge authority
• Ministry of Works and Transport — policy oversight for infrastructure
• Emergency on Tanzania roads: 112 (Police / Emergency), 115 (Tanzania Police)

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