President Samia Suluhu Hassan became the sixth President of the United Republic of Tanzania in March 2021, following the death of President John Magufuli. She served as vice president of Tanzania from 2015. Previous roles in government include serving as Minister of State in the Vice-President's Office, responsible for Union Affairs (2010-2015), and Minister in the semi-autonomous government of her home region of Zanzibar (2000-2010).
Under her leadership as president, the government appointed an expert committee to advise on Tanzania’s COVID-19 response. Following the Committee’s recommendations, authorities have resumed reporting COVID-19 data to the World Health Organization while deploying vaccines across the country. President Samia launched the vaccination program in August 2021 and continues to champion safe public health protocols. Her government is proactively engaging with multilateral and bilateral partners in the region and around the world. The government has also been actively pushing the climate agenda, its commitment reflected in President Samia’s own participation at the COP 26 meetings in Glasgow in 2021. The role of the private sector as an engine of growth has been given renewed emphasis with increased attention to addressing major constraints on private investment. The government recently announced the removal of barriers to access to education, including those that had prevented pregnant girls and young mothers from attending formal school, a reflection of the government’s commitment to supporting girls and young women.