Samia Suluhu Hassan has demonstrated a strong commitment to both family and personal growth throughout her life. She balanced her roles as a wife and mother while pursuing further education, laying the foundation for her future success in public service. Her determination to learn and develop shaped her career, where she took on significant responsibilities. Suluhu’s journey reflects a deep dedication to advancing her knowledge and serving her community. By balancing family life with professional achievements, she has shown resilience and determination, ultimately rising to a position of leadership and influence. Her blend of personal dedication and public service has defined her remarkable path.
Who Is Samia Suluhu Hassan?
Samia Suluhu Hassan, born January 27, 1960, has been Tanzania’s president since March 19, 2021.
She holds the distinction of being the first woman to lead Tanzania. Before assuming the presidency, she served as vice president from 2015 to 2021, succeeding John Magufuli after his passing.
Hailing from Zanzibar, Suluhu’s political journey began as a minister in the partially self-governing region between 2000 and 2010.
later represented the Makunduchi constituency in Parliament from 2010 to 2015 while holding the position of Minister of State for Union Affairs in the Vice-President’s Office.
In 2014, she was elected vice-chairperson of the Constituent Assembly responsible for drafting a new national constitution.
Following the 2015 elections, she became Tanzania’s first female vice president, running alongside Magufuli on the Chama Cha Mapinduzi ticket. The pair secured re-election for a second term in 2020.
As head of state, Suluhu has introduced democratic reforms, overturning some of the restrictive policies established by her predecessor.
She has also prioritized addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, a stark departure from Magufuli’s stance on the issue. Her tenure focuses on infrastructure development, economic growth, and boosting tourism.
Background And Education
Suluhu was born on January 27, 1960, in the Sultanate of Zanzibar to a teacher and his wife. Four years later, Zanzibar merged with Tanganyika to form Tanzania.
She completed secondary school in 1977 and started her career as an office clerk. In 1978, she married Hafidh Ameir, an agriculturalist, and together they raised three sons and a daughter.
Their second child, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, born in 1982, later became a member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives.
Suluhu earned an advanced diploma in public administration from the Institute of Development Management (now Mzumbe University) in 1986 through part-time studies. Between 1992 and 1994, she studied at the University of Manchester and obtained a postgraduate diploma in economics.
In 2015, she completed an MSc in Community Economic Development through a joint program with the Open University of Tanzania and Southern New Hampshire University.
In 1988, Suluhu began her career as a development officer for Zanzibar’s regional government. She then managed projects for the World Food Programme and later led a regulatory body overseeing non-governmental organizations in Zanzibar during the 1990s.
Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Political Career
In 2000, Suluhu joined the Zanzibar House of Representatives and took on the role of Minister for Youth Employment, Women, and Children, where she lifted the ban preventing new mothers from returning to school.
As the only female minister in the cabinet, she faced gender-based challenges. After being re-elected in 2005, she became Minister for Tourism and Trade Investment.
Suluhu secured a seat in the National Assembly for Makunduchi in 2010, winning over 80% of the vote, and was appointed Minister of State for Union Affairs.
In 2014, she was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly tasked with drafting the new constitution.
In 2015, Suluhu was chosen as the unexpected vice-presidential candidate for CCM alongside John Magufuli. They won the election, making Suluhu Tanzania’s first female vice president.
Despite a 2016 dispute over loyalty, Suluhu publicly backed Magufuli. The pair secured re-election in 2020, though their victory was marred by allegations of electoral fraud.
Samia Suluhu Hassan Rise As The President
On 17 March 2021, Suluhu announced the death of Magufuli after a prolonged illness, noting his absence from public appearances since late February. She was sworn in as president on 19 March 2021 to complete his second term.
Opposition leaders raised concerns about a potential leadership vacuum when Suluhu had not been sworn in by 18 March.
Behind the scenes, party factions attempted to block her ascension, and she was the last senior government official to be informed of Magufuli’s death.
After taking the oath, Suluhu attended a military parade in her honor. In her first address, she declared three weeks of mourning for the late president.
Suluhu appointed Finance Minister Philip Mpango as her vice-president and worked to solidify her position by removing Magufuli’s closest allies, such as Bashiru Ally and Palamagamba Kabudi.
She reinstated figures like January Makamba, Nape Nnauye, and Abdulrahman Kinana, who had been ousted by Magufuli.
She further strengthened her influence within the party by aligning with former president Jakaya Kikwete.
Suluhu made history as Tanzania’s first female president and the second Zanzibari to hold the office, after Ali Hassan Mwinyi.
At the time of her swearing-in, she was one of only two active female heads of state in Africa, alongside Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde, who held a ceremonial role. She became the sole female head of government in Africa following her inauguration.
Suluhus’ Presidential Administration
Suluhu reversed Magufuli’s COVID-19 denial and joined the COVAX program in July 2021 to distribute vaccines.
Suluhu imposed a 14-day quarantine for travelers from countries with new virus variants and allowed vaccine imports for foreign nationals.
She pledged to complete Magufuli’s projects on time and approved new ones, such as a railway, hydropower plant, and improved access to electricity and clean water in rural Tanzania.
In early 2021, Suluhu filmed The Royal Tour with Peter Greenberg to promote tourism and attract investors. She also became the fifth African woman to address the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021.
In January 2022, she reorganized her cabinet to favor loyalists and remove Magufuli’s allies.
Suluhu adopted a more internationalist approach. She signed a business deal with Dubai at Expo 2020 and remained neutral on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling for peace talks.
She was named one of Time’s top 100 most influential people in 2022. Suluhu also appointed Magufuli’s loyalists to government roles and plans to run for re-election in 2025.
Awards And Honours
| Year | Country | Order |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | South Africa | Awarded the Order of South Africa[37] |
| 2024 | Tanzania (Zanzibar) | Received the Order of the Revolution for Leaders with Unique Characteristics[38] |
Awards:
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Received Africa Road Builders – Babacar Ndiaye Trophy[39] |
| 2022 | Won CARE International – CARE Impact Award for Women’s Inspirational Leadership[40] |
| 2023 | Granted the Key to the City of Lilongwe[41] |
| 2023 | Ranked in Forbes’ list of “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women”[42] |
Honorary Academic Awards:
| Year | University | Country | Honour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | University of Dar es Salaam | Tanzania | Awarded Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) (Honoris Causa)[43] |
| 2023 | Jawaharlal Nehru University | India | Granted Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa)[44] |
| 2023 | State University of Zanzibar | Tanzania | Awarded Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism Management and Marketing (Honoris Causa)[45] |
| 2024 | Ankara University | Turkey | Received Honorary Doctorate in Economics (Honoris Causa)[46] |
| 2024 | Korea Aerospace University | South Korea | Granted Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation Management (Honoris Causa)[47] |
| 2024 | Mzumbe University | Tanzania | Awarded Honoris Causa[48] |
Relationship
In 1978, Suluhu married Hafidh Ameir, an agriculturalist. They had three sons and a daughter, Wanu, who later became a member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives.
While raising her family, Suluhu pursued various short courses on a part-time basis to further her education.
Her commitment to learning alongside her family responsibilities highlighted her dedication to personal growth and development during those early years of her life.