President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, led mourners from within and outside the country in the burial of former First Vice President and Prime Minister, Cleopa David Msuya, held at his home in Usangi, Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region.

Speaking during the funeral mass, President Samia shared her memories of Cleopa Msuya, especially his role in leading economic reforms in the 1980s as the Minister responsible for finance and economic affairs during a difficult period for Tanzania’s economy.

President Samia explained that the period was marked by challenges including internal opposition and pressure from international donors, local and foreign businesspeople, and various interest groups—some of whom supported the reforms while others opposed them for different reasons.

“When there was a push to devalue our currency, we in CCM were mobilized to demonstrate. We marched from our offices in Zanzibar—my office was in Vuga—all the way to CCM Headquarters in Kisiwandui. That was the first time I chanted Msuya’s name,” said Samia. “We were chanting, ‘Msuya, don’t let our currency be devalued,’ as we marched to the CCM headquarters in Kisiwandui.”

Despite all these challenges, President Samia said Msuya made a significant contribution to the government’s efforts, ultimately enabling the implementation of reforms that transitioned Tanzania to a market-based economy—a transformation acknowledged by the late second President of Tanzania, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, in his biography.

“This is confirmed by the late Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi, who in his book acknowledged Msuya’s contribution to the economic reforms towards a market economy and thanked him greatly for his service as Minister of Finance, Economy, and Planning.”

The late Msuya passed away on May 7, 2025, at the age of 94 while receiving treatment at Mzena Hospital in Dar es Salaam. He had served in government since the 1950s as a social worker after completing his studies at Makerere University in Uganda.

He held various government positions, including Permanent Secretary in several ministries, before being appointed Minister of Finance in the 1970s by the late Julius Nyerere. He also served as Minister of Industry and Trade, and later again as Minister of Finance during the second phase of government under the late Ali Hassan Mwinyi.

He served as Prime Minister during two separate terms; from 1980 to 1983, and again under President Mwinyi from 1994 to 1995. It was during this second term as Prime Minister that he also held the position of First Vice President.

Speaking at the funeral service, Tanzania’s third-phase retired President, Jakaya Kikwete, who once worked with Msuya in the Cabinet under President Mwinyi, described him as a person with a sharp intellect who was able to explain complex issues in simple, understandable language for the public.

“He was not formally trained in economics or finance, he studied social work, but he had a deep understanding of economic and financial matters. That’s why he was appointed Minister of Finance twice by Mwalimu Nyerere and once by Mzee Mwinyi,” Kikwete said.