Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (born 7 October 1950) is a Tanzanian politician who was the fourth president of Tanzania, in office from 2005 to 2015.

Prior to his election as president, he was the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 2005 under his predecessor, Benjamin Mkapa. He also served as the chairperson of the African Union in 2008–2009 and the chairman of the Southern African Development Community Troika on Peace, Defence and Security in 2012–2013.

Early life and education Kikwete was born and raised in Msoga in the Chalinze District of Tanzania, in 1950. He is of Kwere heritage.

Between 1959 and 1963, Kikwete attended Karatu Primary School and Tengeru School from 1963 to 1965, both in Arusha Region. After Tengeru, Kikwete moved back to home to Pwani Region and attended Kibaha Secondary School for his O-levels, which took place between 1966 and 1969.

He then moved to Tanga Region, where he studied at the Tanga Technical Secondary School for his advanced level education.

On 31 January 2016, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Zuma, appointed Jakaya Kikwete the African Union High Representative in Libya. Following the crisis in Libya, Kikwete's role is to lead the AU's efforts on achieving peace and stability in Libya. Later that year, he was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to serve as member of the Lead Group of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement. Since 2022, he has been a co-chairing the Commission for Universal Health convened by Chatham House, alongside Helen Clark.

Personal life Kikwete is an avid sports enthusiast and played basketball competitively in school. He has been a patron of the Tanzania Basketball Federation for the past 10 years.

As of 4 April 2013, Kikwete was the sixth most followed African leader on Twitter with 57,626 followers.

Honours and awards

Kikwete was the first African Head of State to meet U.S. President Barack Obama (2009)

Honours

Awards Sullivan Honor 2007: The AAI African National Achievement Award (on behalf of Tanzania). 2009: US Doctors for Africa Award. 2011: Social Good Award from the United Nations Foundation 2011: South-South Award for Global Health, Technology and Development 2012: FANRPAN Policy Leadership Award from the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network. 2013: Africa's Most Impactful Leader of the Year by the Africa Leadership Magazine 2013: ICCF Mengha Award by the International Conservation Caucus Foundation 2014: Icon of Democracy Award, from The Voice Magazine (Netherlands) 2015: Leadership Excellence Award by the Pan-African Youth Union. 2015: African Achievers Award by the Institute for Good Governance in Africa. 2015: African Statesman of the Year by The African Sun Times.

Honorary academic awards Year University Country Honour 2006 University of St. Thomas, Minnesota Doctor of Law 2008 Kenyatta University Doctor of Humane Letters 2010 Fatih University Doctorate in International Relations 2010 Muhimbili University Doctor of Public Health 2010 University of Dodoma Honoris Causa 2011 University of Dar es Salaam Doctor of Law 2013 University of Guelph Doctor of Law 2014 China Agricultural University Honorary Professor 2014 Nelson Mandela–AIST Honoris causa 2015 University of Newcastle, New South Wales Doctor of Laws 2016 Open University of Tanzania Honorary doctorate in leadership.

Legacy Eponyms Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre, Dodoma Jakaya M Kikwete Youth Park, a multi-sport facility in Dar es Salaam. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF), a registered trust and nonprofit organization Kikwete Bridge, across the Malagarasi River in western Tanzania (275 metres) Kikwete Hall, a reception hall at the Dar es Salaam State House that can accommodate 1,000 delegates. Roads: Jakaya Kikwete Road in Dodoma Jakaya Kikwete Road (0.49 km) in Nairobi, Kenya Schools: Jakaya Kikwete Primary School in Muleba District, Kagera Region Jakaya Kikwete Secondary School in Mbulu, Manyara Region J. M. Kikwete Secondary School in Mbozi District, Mbeya Region