Mama Samia
Mama Samia is the first woman to hold the presidency of Tanzania, having previously served as the country's first female vice-president from 2015 until her ascension to the highest office.
Her leadership has shaped Tanzania's economic reopening, its engagement with international partners, and the country's investment posture across mainland and Zanzibar.
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Who is Mama Samia
Samia Suluhu Hassan is a Tanzanian politician serving as the sixth president of Tanzania since 19 March 2021.
She is affectionately known across Tanzania as Mama Samia, a reference to her stature as the first woman to lead the United Republic.
Born on 27 January 1960 in Zanzibar, she brings a Zanzibari identity to the leadership of the Union, reinforcing the historical partnership between the isles and the mainland.
Political Career in Zanzibar and the Union
Mama Samia served as a minister in the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar from 2000 to 2010.
She was subsequently elected as the Member of Parliament for the Makunduchi constituency from 2010 to 2015.
During the same period she served as the Minister of State in the Vice-President's Office for Union Affairs, deepening her engagement with the machinery of the Tanzanian Union.
In 2014, she was elected as the vice-chairperson of the Constituent Assembly tasked with the drafting of Tanzania's new constitution.
Vice Presidency and Ascension to the Presidency
Mama Samia became Tanzania's first female vice-president following the 2015 general election, elected on the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket alongside John Magufuli.
Suluhu and Magufuli were re-elected to a second term in 2020.
Following the death of President Magufuli, she was sworn in as the sixth president of the United Republic of Tanzania on 19 March 2021.
Presidency and Policy Direction
As president, Mama Samia implemented policies intended to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania, marking a shift from the position of her predecessor.
Her administration has been associated with a reopening of Tanzania to international engagement and a renewed emphasis on dialogue with the private sector and development partners.
Her background in trade, tourism, and investment portfolios in Zanzibar informs a policy tone oriented toward openness and economic cooperation across the Union.
2025 Elections and Governance Context
Mama Samia was declared the winner of the general election held on 29 October 2025 with 98% of the vote.[1]
The post-election period was marked by protests and a volatile security situation, with the United Nations human rights office reporting that over 150 people had been arrested since polling day.[1]
The governance environment during and after the vote remains an important context for investors monitoring Tanzania's political stability and institutional trajectory.
Last Update: July 2026
