The Fourth President, H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (2005 - 2015)

Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was born on 7th October 1950 at Msoga, Bagamoyo District, Coast Region, sixth born in the family of nine children. He is married to Mama Salma Kikwete and blessed with eight children.

Career Background

In 1976 he joined the Tanzania Military Academy, Monduli and was commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and later became a chief instructor at the Monduli political College.

Hon. Dr. Kikwete has held different positions with the ruling party CCM in Singida and Tabora regions as well as in Nachingwea and Masasi districts.   In 1988 he was appointed Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Energy and Minerals. In 1990 he was elected Member of Parliament for Bagamoyo constituency from 1990 to 1995 and was appointed Minister for Water, Energy, and Minerals. Also, Dr. Kikwete was a Minister for Finance in 1994 and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from 1995 to 2005 when he was elected the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Other posts held by President Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete are the Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) for 2010-2011, the Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) in 2008, and Co-Chair of the Helsinki Process on Globalisation and Democracy in 2004. Other positions held include also the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the Southern African Development Community  (SADC) in 2004, and the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1997. Also, he held the position of the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the East African Community (EAC) in 1997, the chairperson of the Group of 77 in 1997, and the Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the East African Development Bank (EADB ) in 1995.

Educational Background

He attended primary and Middle School at Msoga and St. John Bosco Lugoba between 1958 and 1965. He also got his Secondary School education at Kibaha (1966 – 1969) and Tanga (1970 – 1971).He graduated from the University of Dar es Salaam in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree

Other Distinguished Posts Held

Chairman of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) for 2010-2011

Chairman of the East African Community (EAC) Jan 2010

Chairman of the African Union (AU) 2008

Co-Chair of the Helsinki Process on Globalisation and Democracy 2004

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 2004

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) 1997

Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the East African Community (EAC) 1997

Chairman of the Board of Governors of the East African Development Bank (EADB ) 1995