Tanzania Cabinet Reshuffle: President Samia Announces Key Appointments and Changes

Tanzania Samia Cabinet Reshuffle August 2023

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced a series of changes to her Cabinet in a move aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the government’s operations.

In these changes, the President established the position of Deputy Prime Minister and dissolved the Ministry of Works and Transport, instead creating two new ministries: the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Transport.

Additionally, she has strengthened the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation by increasing the positions of Deputy Minister and Permanent Secretary to oversee East African affairs.

In these changes, the President has appointed a Deputy Prime Minister, four (4) Ministers, five (5) Deputy Ministers, three (3) Permanent Secretaries, and three (3) Deputy Permanent Secretaries.

Furthermore, she has reassigned some Ministers and Permanent Secretaries. The changes are as follows:

New Deputy Prime Minister:

  • Hon. Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko is appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, responsible for coordinating government activities.

Ministerial Appointments and Transfers:

  • Hon. Jerry William Silaa becomes the Minister of Land, Housing, and Urban Development.
  • Hon. Anthony Peter Mavunde is appointed as Minister of Minerals.
  • Hon. Prof. Makame Mnyaa Mbarawa takes on the role of Minister of Transport.
  • Hon. Innocent Lugha Bashungwa becomes the Minister of Works.
  • Hon. Godfrey Msongwe Kasekenya is appointed as Deputy Minister of Works.
  • Hon. Alexander Pastory Mnyeti assumes the position of Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
  • Hon. David Mwakiposa Kihenzile is appointed as Deputy Minister of Transport.
  • Hon. Judith Salvio Kapinga takes on the role of Deputy Minister of Energy.
  • Hon. Dunstan Luka Kitandula becomes Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Ministerial Transfers:

  • Hon. January Yusuf Makamba moves to become the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.
  • Hon. Stergomena Lawrence Tax takes on the role of Minister of Defence and National Service.
  • Hon. Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa becomes the Minister of State in the Office of the President – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI).
  • Hon. Angellah Jasmine Kairuki becomes the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism.
  • Hon. Dr. Damas Daniel Ndumbaro assumes the position of Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports.
  • Hon. Ambassador Dr. Pindi Hazara Chana becomes the Minister of Constitution and Legal Affairs.
  • Hon. Stephen Lujwahuka Byabato becomes Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, focusing on East African affairs.

Appointment of Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries:

  • Prof. Godius Walter Kahyarara is appointed as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Transport.
  • Engineer Cyprian John Luhemeja becomes the Permanent Secretary for the Prime Minister’s Office (Labor, Youth, Employment, and Persons with Disabilities).
  • Ambassador Prof. Kennedy Gastorn takes on the role of Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, responsible for East African affairs.
  • Dr. Ally Possi is appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Transport.
  • Ludovick Nduhiye becomes the Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Works.
  • Engineer Mwajuma Juma Waziri is appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Water.

Transfers of Permanent Secretaries:

  • Prof. Jamal Adam Katundu moves to become the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Water.
  • Dr. Seif Abdallah Shekalaghe becomes the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Children.
  • Dr. John Anthony Jingu takes on the role of Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health.

These changes are effective as of August 30, 2023, with the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed leaders scheduled for September 1, 2023, at the State House in Zanzibar.

Want to know more about the Economy in Tanzania? Our free Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers the Economy, plus regulations, key sectors, and investment opportunities—all in one place.

Download Free Guide
Related Posts
AfDB AFRICAN ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2026
Read More

Tanzania GDP Growth Hits 6.0% in 2025, AfDB Projects 5.4% in 2026 and 6.1% in 2027, Inflation to Rise Slightly to 3.8%

The AfDB African Economic Outlook 2026 estimates that Tanzania's GDP grew 6.0% in 2025, driven by agriculture, mining, and construction, with inflation contained at 3.3% and private-sector credit expanding by 20.3%. Growth is projected at 5.4% in 2026 and 6.1% in 2027, with inflation rising to 3.8% but remaining within the central bank’s target, and Tanzania ranking third in Africa for private infrastructure investment closures, with FDI in natural resources rising from 38% to 58.9%.
Tanzania Impact Investment Forum 2026
Read More

Tanzania Impact Investment Forum (TIIF) 2026: 1st–3rd June 2026, Dar es Salaam

The Tanzania Impact Investment Forum (TIIF) 2026 takes place on 1–3 June at Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam, organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania. The three-day invitation-only event features 18 startup pitches across seed, Series A, and growth stages, plus panels and roundtables on blended finance, climate investment, fintech, and AI, with partners including KPMG, Vodacom, UNDP, and UNCDF.
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Read More

U.S. Bipartisan Bill Triggers Review of Tanzania Bilateral Relationship, Targets Economic and Development Assistance

A bipartisan U.S. Senate bill introduced on 19th May 2026 requires a comprehensive review of the U.S.-Tanzania bilateral relationship, covering trade, development assistance, and security cooperation. The legislation would suspend Millennium Challenge Corporation support and authorise visa bans and asset-blocking sanctions until the Secretary of State certifies meaningful democratic reforms in Tanzania.