Several design studies and limited construction work were completed in the early 1980s, but the Unity Bridge was not finished due to lack of funds.

In 2002, the two national governments made a formal agreement to build a new bridge across the river.

In 2005, Norconsult was awarded the contract for preliminary design and construction supervision of the bridge.

[3] Environmentalists say it will destroy Niassa Reserve in Mozambique which is home to elephant, buffalo, sable and roan herds.

[4] The Unity Bridge over the Rovuma River was built by the China Geo-Engineering Corporation with COWI as consultants for the detailed design and finally inaugurated on 12 May 2010 by the presidents of Mozambique and Tanzania.