Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete served as President of Tanzania from 2005 to 2015, following key positions as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Energy & Minerals (1994–2005). A former Lieutenant Colonel in the Tanzania People’s Defense Force, he played a key role in national governance as Chair of the ruling party Chama cha Mapinduzi and Member of Parliament.

At the regional and continental level, Dr. Kikwete held various regional leadership positions as Chair of South African Development Community (SADC), Chair of the East African Community (EAC) and Chair of the African Union. He has also contributed to many peace initiatives including the Burundi Peace Process and Ivory Coast Political Crisis. Internationally, he has held leadership roles in global health, education, and development, serving as Co-Chair of the African Commission on Youth, the UN Commission on Women’s and Children’s Health, and Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance.

Since retirement, he has continued to shape global policy as Chair of the Global Partnership for Education, Co-Chair of the Chatham House Commission on Universal Health, Member of the World Malaria Council, Co-Chair of the International Refugee Council and African Union High-Level Representative on Libya, among others. He also leads the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation, focusing on development and public health.