Name? Samia Suluhu Hassan
Westphalian identity? Tanzanian
Age? 66
Why is she in the news? Tanzania’s first female president announced a TSh62.3 trillion budget ($23.77 billion) for the upcoming financial year. A 10% increase from the previous year, this is Hassan’s first budget to achieve her aim of bringing the country’s GDP to $1 trillion as per the Dira 2050 programme.
Why do we care? The budget passed despite an ongoing inquiry into the violent 2025 election cycle and a delayed commitment to constitutional reform, a testament to Hassan’s control of the government. The plan is also designed to offset the impact of a 39% drop in foreign development grants received by Tanzania. Furthermore, the nation is a crucial choke point for seven landlocked African countries that use the Dar es Salaam port for maritime access. The stability of the region hinges on President Hassan and the maintenance of a status quo by Tanzania.
Why should you care? President Hassan’s government is illustrative of a steady rise in female representation amongst African leadership. As one of two female heads of state on the continent, her tenure has implications for the direction taken by similar leaders in the region. However, a commission of inquiry investigating post-election bloodshed linked 518 deaths to excessive use of force by authorities under Hassan.
Who else cares? The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa is implementing a similar programme to Dira 205o with her $93 billion plan to rejuvenate the Congolese economy, which began in June 2024.Concurrently, PM Suminawa has a vested interest in Tanzania given that her country is the top user of the Dar es Salaam port.
Any further comments? Hassan and Suminawa, given their similarities, are likely looking at each other to see how their counterpart implements their respective development agendas.
