By Peter Nyanje, Dodoma
Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has been sworn in as Tanzania’s new Prime Minister, marking the beginning of what is expected to be one of the most demanding chapters of his political career.
His appointment, endorsed overwhelmingly by Parliament, was formalised at a ceremony at Chamwino State House, presided over by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and attended by top leaders from both sides of the Union, including retired statesmen.
President Samia used the occasion to deliver a candid and pointed message to her new Prime Minister: the work ahead is immense, the expectations are high and the room for error is narrow.
“Our leaders – current and retired – are all here to witness your rise to Prime Minister,” she said. “You went through stiff competition and emerged the strongest because of your qualifications and above all, your zeal to serve the people of Tanzania.”
A mandate rooted in delivery
In her remarks, President Samia reminded Dr. Nchemba that his responsibilities are clearly stated in the Constitution. She handed him a detailed reference book outlining those constitutional obligations, underscoring the seriousness of the role he is stepping into.
“You are taking over from Kassim Majaliwa, who worked tirelessly for this nation,” she said. “My expectation is that you will emulate his work ethic and commitment.”
The President reiterated that the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) election manifesto -filled with ambitious pledges on infrastructure, health, education, economic transformation and governance -demands faster implementation during the new term.
“In our manifesto we have promised a lot. This means we must increase the speed of implementation of what we planned. You are the one who must ensure the cabinet works effectively to fulfil these commitments,” she said.
A financial mind at the centre of government
President Samia also emphasised that the scale of the country’s development agenda requires significant financial discipline and strategic resource mobilisation.
“Implementation of our promises requires a lot of money – and you come from the Finance Ministry. So you have a lot of work ahead of you,” she insisted.
Dr. Nchemba has served as Finance Minister since 2021, overseeing a major fiscal overhaul, expansion of the development budget and the government’s borrowing and revenue strategies. His economic grounding now becomes central to his new role, where he must coordinate ministries, monitor performance and ensure targets are met within available resources.
A warning on integrity and leadership discipline
In one of her most striking remarks, President Samia cautioned Dr. Nchemba about the moral weight of the office he now holds.
“This is not a small responsibility for someone of your age,” she said. “At your age, there are many temptations – from friends, relatives and acquaintances. But this office has no friends, no relatives, no associates. It is an office for serving the nation.”
Her words signalled the broader expectations of integrity, discipline and loyalty that the new Prime Minister must demonstrate as the government enters a period of intensified project delivery.
The road ahead
As Prime Minister, Dr Nchemba faces a daunting in-tray:
- Accelerating implementation of the election blueprint, particularly in strategic sectors such as energy, roads, water, agriculture and industrialisation.
- Ensuring coordination across ministries, especially as President Samia tightens performance monitoring.
- Managing public expectations, which have risen sharply due to the government’s high-profile infrastructure and social service commitments.
- Navigating internal political dynamics, including maintaining unity within the ruling party and handling demands from Parliament.
- Strengthening fiscal discipline, as the government balances development financing with debt sustainability.
A new era of executive efficiency?
Dr Nchemba’s rise to the premiership marks a strategic shift by President Samia – bringing in a younger, energetic leader with deep financial expertise to drive the next phase of her administration’s transformation agenda.
The message delivered at Chamwino State House was unmistakable: the honeymoon is short, the workload is heavy, and results are now the measure of leadership. For Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, the task ahead is clear – and the nation will be watching.
