Meet the first female President in Tanzania, Samia Suhulu Hassan. She became the country’s next leader following the death of the former President, John Magufuli.

She becomes Africa’s only current female political head of state, (the Ethiopian presidency is a largely ceremonial role), and joins a short list of women on the continent who have lead their countries.

Samia Hassan Suluhu was born 27 January 1960. She is a Tanzanian CCM politician and the designated President of Tanzania due to be sworn into office following the death of President John Magufuli on 17 March 2021.

She became Tanzania’s first female Vice-President following the 2015 General election, after being elected on the CCM ticket along with President John Magufuli.

Suluhu and Magufuli were reelected to a second term in 2020. Before her tenure as Vice-President she served as the Member of Parliament for Makunduchi constituency from 2010 to 2015, and was also the Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office for Union Affairs from 2010 to 2015.

This year is looking extremely positive for women in leadership. Here’s to more great role models.