President Samia names new Cabinet, retains 17 ministers

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced a new Cabinet that sets the framework for her administration’s next governing phase.

In the announcement during a press conference on November 17 in Dodoma President Hassan said she has appointed Amb Khamis Mussa Omar pictured below) as Tanzania’s new Minister for Finance.

Amb Omar, who was recently appointed a Member of Parliament, returns to the centre of national economic management with a long record in financial and fiscal institutions across both the Union and Zanzibar governments.

His public service career includes fifteen years as Principal Secretary in Zanzibar’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, and earlier responsibilities at the Tanzania Revenue Authority, where he rose from a tax collector to Deputy Commissioner for Zanzibar operations.

He has also served with the Bank of Tanzania, the Zanzibar Revenue Board, and chaired the Board of Tanga Cement in 2005.

His appointment follows the elevation of his predecessor, Mwigulu Nchemba, who is now the country’s Prime Minister.

The new Cabinet, comprising 27 ministers and 29 deputy ministers, marks a comprehensive reorganisation of ministerial leadership across government.

The President structured the line-up to combine seasoned administrators with new entrants, retaining 17 members from the previous executive, of whom 11 have been entrusted with the same portfolios.

In the President’s Office, Ridhiwani Jakaya Kikwete now takes charge of Public Service Management and Good Governance, while Prof Kitila Alexander Mkumbo continues to lead Planning and Investment.

A new ministry, the President’s Office [Youth Development], has been established and entrusted to Joel Arthur Nanauka (pictured below), signalling a strengthened focus on youth affairs.

In the Vice President’s Office, Eng Hamad Yusuf Masauni continues to oversee the Union and Environment docket.

Two major portfolios now fall under the Prime Minister’s Office: William Vangimembe Lukuvi continues as Minister responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, while the Regional Administration and Local Government docket is now headed by Prof Riziki Silas Shemdoe, a new face at Cabinet level.

Other senior appointments include Deogratius John Ndejembi at Ministry of Energy; Anthony Peter Mavunde, who retains the Minerals portfolio; Judith Salvio Kapinga at the Ministry of Industry and Trade; and Abdallah Hamis Ulega who remains Minister for Works.

Other appointments include Prof Makame Mnyaa Mbarawa who retains the Ministry of Transport; and Jumaa Hamidu Aweso, who continues at the Ministry of Water.

George Boniface Simbachawene now leads Home Affairs, while Rhimo Nyansaho, a new entrant, assumes the Defence and National Service docket.

The Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs is now under Juma Zuberi Homera, also a new entrant, and the nation’s foreign policy continues under Amb Mahmoud Thabit Kombo at Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.

In the social services cluster, Prof Adolf Faustine Mkenda remains at Education, Science and Technology; Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa is the new Minister for Health; and Dr Dorothy Onesphoro Gwajima continues to take charge of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups.

Further appointments include a new entrant Daniel Godfrey Chongolo at Agriculture; Dr Bashiru Ally Kakurwa, a fresh appointment, at Livestock and Fisheries; Dr Ashatu Kachwamba Kijaji at Natural Resources and Tourism; and Dr Leonard Douglas Akwilapo, a new entrant, at Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development.

Ms Angellah Kairuki (pictured above) leads Communication and Information Technology, while Prof Palamagamba John Kabudi continues to head Information, Culture, Arts and Sports.

All ministers and their deputies were expected to take the oath of office tomorrow, November 18, 2025, at the State House in Chamwino, Dodoma, marking the formal commencement of the new Cabinet’s mandate.