Tanzania Toll Roads Complete Guide: Nyerere Bridge, Rates and Payment 2026
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Tanzania Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Single toll bridge with per-trip and bundle pass payment options
Coverage: Nyerere Bridge (Kigamboni Bridge), Dar es Salaam — Tanzania's only toll structure
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Technology: Manual cash toll collection with electronic bundle subscription system
Operator: National Social Security Fund (NSSF) — 60% owner; Government of Tanzania — 40%
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Tanzania? 2026 Update
Yes, but only if you cross the Nyerere Bridge (also called the Kigamboni Bridge) in Dar es Salaam. Tanzania currently operates just one toll structure in the entire country, making it one of the most limited toll systems in Africa. All other roads, highways, and bridges throughout mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar are free to use.
Key Reality: The Nyerere Bridge connects Dar es Salaam's Kurasini ward to Kigamboni District. If you are not crossing this specific bridge, you will encounter no tolls anywhere in Tanzania. For regular commuters, bundle passes (daily, weekly, monthly) offer substantial savings over per-trip rates.
2026 Update: The revised bundle-based toll structure introduced in 2022 — which cut rates by approximately 50% from original levels — remains in force with no further changes announced for 2025–2026. NSSF reported collecting TZS 102.18 billion in toll revenue over nine years of operation (2016–2024). The bridge is expected to be transferred to government ownership once the full TZS 344 billion investment cost is recovered over the 30-year concession period.
Tanzania Toll Costs: Current Rates
Tanzania operates a single toll plaza at the Nyerere Bridge. All rates below are in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) and reflect the current schedule in effect since the 2022 revision.
Current 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) | 500 | 3,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| Private cars and saloon vehicles | 1,500 | 2,500 | 12,000 | 35,000 |
| Buses and commercial vehicles | 5,000 (reference rate; reduced bundle rates apply — contact NSSF) | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Bundle passes allow unlimited crossings within the purchased period. Daily and weekly passes are registered per vehicle through the NSSF bridge portal. All rates are charged per crossing in one direction. Pedestrians and cyclists cross free of charge on dedicated lanes.
Nyerere Bridge — Key Facts
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Cable-stayed suspension bridge |
| Length | 680 metres (main span) + 2.5 km approach roads |
| Lanes | 6 vehicle lanes (3 each direction) + 2 pedestrian/cyclist lanes |
| Toll plaza lanes | 14 controlled lanes (7 each direction) |
| Construction cost | USD 135 million (TZS 313.5 billion) — financed domestically |
| Opened | April 2016 |
| Connects | Kurasini (Dar es Salaam city) to Kigamboni District |
| Concession period | 25–30 years; ownership transfers to government once TZS 344 billion repaid |
How to Pay Tanzania Tolls
All toll payments are made at the Nyerere Bridge plaza. There are no other toll plazas anywhere in Tanzania.
1. Cash — Per-Trip Payment (All Lanes):
- Tanzanian Shillings only — USD and foreign currency are not accepted at the toll booth
- Pay at the manned booth each time you cross; a receipt is issued
- Suitable for occasional or one-off crossings
2. Bundle Passes — Daily, Weekly and Monthly:
- Passes allow unlimited crossings within the purchased period
- Purchased and registered through the NSSF bridge portal system; vehicle registration is required
- Significantly cheaper than paying per-trip for anyone crossing more than once a day
- A private car owner crossing twice daily saves approximately TZS 88,000 per month with a monthly pass versus per-trip payments
3. Mobile Money (Available at Plaza):
- M-Pesa (Vodacom) and Tigopesa accepted for bundle pass purchases
- Confirm availability with plaza staff on the day; cash remains the most reliable fallback
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types for Tanzania's Nyerere Bridge, use the TollGuru Tanzania toll calculator:
Enforcement and Penalties
The Nyerere Bridge toll is enforced by NSSF-contracted toll operators at the 14-lane plaza. There is no way to bypass the toll point; all vehicle traffic crossing the bridge passes through a controlled lane.
- Non-payment: Vehicles unable or unwilling to pay are turned back at the barrier. There is no invoice-later system — payment is required before crossing.
- Invalid bundle pass: Expired or unregistered passes are rejected; the driver must pay the per-trip cash rate to proceed.
- Alternative route: The Kivukoni Ferry is the only toll-free vehicle-accessible alternative to Kigamboni; it is free but subject to timetable and weather conditions.
Recent Changes (2026)
Rates Stable Since 2022 Revision:
- Following strong public pressure from Kigamboni residents, the government slashed toll rates by approximately 50% in 2022 and introduced the bundle pass system. These revised rates remain in effect as of 2026 with no further changes announced.
- President Samia Suluhu Hassan confirmed the toll cannot be abolished entirely, as the bridge was financed by an NSSF loan that must be fully repaid before the asset transfers to the government.
Revenue Milestone:
- By July 2024, TZS 102.18 billion had been collected in nine years of operation (2016–2024). The feasibility study projects total repayment of TZS 344 billion over the full concession period, covering investment costs and the value of capital deployed.
No New Toll Roads Commissioned:
- Tanzania has not commissioned any additional toll roads as of 2026. Major infrastructure projects underway — including the J.P. Magufuli Bridge (Kigongo-Busisi) across Lake Victoria and the Dar es Salaam–Morogoro road upgrade — do not currently include a toll component.
Planning Your Journey
When You Will Encounter the Toll:
- Only when crossing the Nyerere Bridge between Kurasini and Kigamboni in Dar es Salaam
- No tolls on the TANZAM Highway, Dar es Salaam–Arusha road, Northern Corridor, or any other trunk or regional road
- No tolls on Zanzibar (Unguja or Pemba islands)
Cost Estimates:
- Occasional car trip: TZS 1,500 per crossing (~$0.58)
- Daily commuter (private car, 2 crossings/day): TZS 2,500 daily pass saves TZS 500 versus two per-trip payments
- Monthly commuter (private car): TZS 35,000/month versus ~TZS 90,000/month at per-trip rates — saving approximately TZS 55,000 per month
Toll-Free Alternative:
- The Kivukoni Ferry (Dar es Salaam Ferry Services) operates between the city centre and Kigamboni and is free of charge, but is slower and subject to timetable and weather constraints
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any other toll roads in Tanzania?
No. The Nyerere Bridge is Tanzania's only toll structure. All trunk roads, regional highways, and other bridges — including those in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Dodoma — are free to use.
Can I avoid paying the toll?
Yes — the Kivukoni Ferry is the only vehicle-accessible toll-free alternative route to Kigamboni. There is no road bypass of the bridge toll. Pedestrians and cyclists cross the bridge's dedicated lanes free of charge.
How do bundle passes work?
Bundle passes are registered per vehicle through the NSSF bridge portal system. Once active, the pass allows unlimited crossings in either direction during the valid period (day, week, or month). Present the pass confirmation to the toll operator or display a registered vehicle ID; the system records the crossing against your pass.
Do rental cars and tourist vehicles pay the toll?
Yes — the standard per-trip rate of TZS 1,500 applies. Most visitors will never encounter this toll at all unless they are specifically travelling to Kigamboni District. Safari circuits, the Northern Corridor (Arusha–Nairobi), and the TANZAM Highway south to Zambia are all toll-free.
When will the toll be removed?
The toll will remain in place until NSSF recovers its full TZS 344 billion investment. At current collection rates, this is projected to take the full 30-year concession period. There is ongoing political pressure to abolish the toll, but the government has consistently confirmed it cannot be removed before the loan is repaid.
Does Zanzibar have any toll roads?
No. Both Unguja and Pemba islands are entirely toll-free. Road infrastructure on Zanzibar is managed by the Zanzibar Roads Authority and is funded through the central government budget.
Tanzania vs. Neighbouring Countries
| Country | Toll System | Typical Car Rate | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | Single bridge toll — Nyerere Bridge, Dar es Salaam | TZS 1,500/trip (~$0.58) | One location only |
| Kenya | Multiple plazas on trunk roads; Nairobi Expressway electronic (RFID) | KES 100–300/plaza (~$0.77–$2.30) | Major trunk roads and Nairobi Expressway |
| Uganda | Kampala–Entebbe Expressway (electronic RFID); other roads manual cash | UGX 2,500–5,000/plaza (~$0.65–$1.30) | Expressway plus selected trunk roads |
| Rwanda | No toll roads — government-funded network | Toll-free | N/A |
| Zambia | Multiple cash plazas on trunk roads (Road Development Agency) | ZMW 5–20/plaza (~$0.20–$0.80) | Major trunk roads; cash only at most plazas |
| Mozambique | Manual cash plazas (ANE — National Roads Administration) | MZN 25–50/plaza (~$0.40–$0.80) | Selected national roads |
Official Resources
- National Social Security Fund (NSSF) — Nyerere Bridge operator; bundle pass registration, toll rates, and bridge project updates
- Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) — trunk and regional road network; road conditions and construction project updates
- Ministry of Works (Tanzania) — national transport policy and road legislation
