Dodoma. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, the Member of Parliament for Iramba West (CCM), as the new Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The announcement was formally delivered to Parliament by Speaker Mussa Azzan Zungu, who presented the President’s nomination for legislative approval. Dr. Nchemba, 50, is set to become the country’s 12th Prime Minister, succeeding Kassim Majaliwa, who has held the post since 2015.
In accordance with the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania (1977), the President appoints a constituent Member of Parliament from the party holding a majority in the National Assembly. In this case, CCM holds the majority.
Dr. Nchemba has served as Minister of Finance since 2021, appointed shortly after President Samia assumed office following the death of President John Pombe Magufuli. He is widely regarded as one of CCM’s consistent and loyal political figures, maintaining his ministerial role through several cabinet reshuffles between 2021 and 2025.
During the fifth-phase administration under Magufuli, Dr. Nchemba held several key portfolios, including Home Affairs, Agriculture, and Constitution and Legal Affairs. In the fourth-phase government led by President Jakaya Kikwete, he served as Deputy Minister of Finance. In 2015, he sought CCM’s nomination for the presidency but did not advance to the final shortlist of five candidates.
A professional economist, Dr. Nchemba earned all his academic qualifications, from undergraduate to postgraduate, at the University of Dar es Salaam. Before entering politics, he worked at the Bank of Tanzania. He later rose through CCM’s internal ranks, serving as Deputy Secretary-General (Mainland) from 2012 to 2015.
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Ahead of the confirmation vote, several MPs expressed their views on the nomination. Opposition legislator Ado Shaibu (ACT–Wazalendo), representing Tunduru North, offered rare cross-party support.
“It is true that Hon. Mwigulu Nchemba is a hardworking individual. As the minority, we openly declare our support as a gesture of trust, confident that he will deliver,” Shaibu said.
CCM MP Anne Malecela (Same East) commended Nchemba’s accessibility and openness as a leader.
“One of the greatest qualities of Hon. Mwigulu Nchemba, now set to be our Prime Minister, is that he is approachable. Some ministers become difficult to reach, but his home is a home for everyone,” she noted.
Parliament confirmed Dr. Nchemba’s appointment with an overwhelming 369 votes out of 371. Following the vote, he delivered a message of gratitude and commitment.
“I sincerely thank Her Excellency the President for this immense trust. I recognize that this trust carries a profound responsibility to all Tanzanians. I will work diligently, faithfully, and with great effort to meet those expectations,” Dr. Nchemba said.
Dr. Nchemba is scheduled to be sworn in by President Samia tomorrow, November 14, 2025, at State House grounds in Chamwino, Dodoma. On the same day, the President is expected to officially open the 13th Parliament with a keynote address outlining her government’s direction, particularly in the wake of unrest following recent elections.
In a related development, Parliament also elected a new Deputy Speaker. Daniel Baran Sillo, the CCM MP for Babati Rural, won the position. Sillo previously served as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs in the recently dissolved Parliament and was the National Assembly Chairperson from 2022.
