Jakaya Kikwete facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jakaya Kikwete
Kikwete in January 2011
4th President of Tanzania
In office 21 December 2005 – 5 November 2015
Vice President	Ali Mohamed Shein Mohamed Gharib Bilal
Prime Minister	Frederick Sumaye Edward Lowassa Mizengo Pinda
Preceded by	Benjamin Mkapa
Succeeded by	John Magufuli
6th Chairperson of the African Union
In office 31 January 2008 – 2 February 2009
Preceded by	John Kufuor
Succeeded by	Muammar Gaddafi
11th Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 27 November 1995 – 21 December 2005
Preceded by	Joseph Rwegasira
Succeeded by	Asha-Rose Migiro
7th Minister of Finance
In office 7 August 1994 – 2 November 1995
Preceded by	Kighoma Malima
Succeeded by	Simon Mbilinyi
Member of Parliament for Chalinze
In office 26 November 1995 – 20 January 2005
Succeeded by	Ramadhani Maneno
Personal details
Born	Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (1950-10-07) 7 October 1950 (age 74) Msoga, Tanganyika Territory
Nationality	Tanzania
Political party	CCM (1977–present) TANU (before 1977)
Spouse	Salma Kikwete ​ (m. 1989)​
Children	10
Residences	Msoga, Chalinze District, Tanzania
Alma mater	University of Dar es Salaam (BS)
Profession	Economist
Twitter handle	jmkikwete
Military service
Allegiance	United Rep. of Tanzania
Branch/service	Tanzanian Army
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel

Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was the fourth president of Tanzania. He served as president from 2005 to 2015. Before becoming president, he was the Minister for Foreign Affairs for ten years. He also led the African Union from 2008 to 2009.

Growing Up and School

Jakaya Kikwete was born on October 7, 1950, in Msoga, Tanzania. He grew up in the Chalinze District. He is from the Kwere people.

He went to primary school in the Arusha Region from 1959 to 1965. Then, he moved back to the Pwani Region for secondary school. He finished his advanced studies in the Tanga Region. In 1975, he graduated from the University of Dar es Salaam. He earned a degree in political science and public relations.

Early Career in Government

Kikwete started his career working for the ruling party in Tanzania. In 1977, two parties merged to form Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Kikwete helped set up the new party's organization in Zanzibar.

He held various important roles within the party. He worked in different regions across Tanzania. In 1988, he joined the central government.

Becoming a Minister

In 1994, when he was 44, Kikwete became the Minister of Finance. This made him one of the youngest finance ministers in Tanzania's history.

A year later, in December 1995, he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He held this job for ten years. This made him the longest-serving foreign minister in Tanzania.

During his time as Foreign Minister, Tanzania helped bring peace to the Great Lakes region. This included countries like Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kikwete also worked to rebuild cooperation among countries in East Africa. He helped establish a customs union for the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania).

Becoming President

In 2005, Kikwete was chosen by his party, CCM, to run for president. He won the election on December 14, 2005. He was sworn in as the fourth president of Tanzania on December 21, 2005.

Kikwete speaking at the WEF in 2010.

As president, he continued to work for peace and stability in Africa. In 2013, he suggested that leaders in the DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda should talk to rebel groups to find solutions.

After his presidency ended in 2015, Kikwete continued to serve in important international roles. In 2016, the African Union appointed him as their High Representative in Libya. His job was to help bring peace to Libya during its crisis. He also joined the Lead Group of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement. Since 2022, he has been helping to lead a group focused on universal health.

Personal Life

Kikwete loves sports. He played basketball when he was in school. He has supported the Tanzania Basketball Federation for many years.

He is married to Salma Kikwete. They have five children together.

Honours and Awards

Jakaya Kikwete has received many honours and awards for his work. These include special orders from different countries and awards for his leadership.

Honours

Year	Country	Order
2007	Uganda		Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa (Grand Commander)
2009	Comoros		Order of the Green Crescent of the Comoros
2009	Saudi Arabia		Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud
2009	Jamaica		Order of Excellence
2012	Oman		Order of Oman (First Class)
2024	Tanzania		Order of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere

Awards

• 2007: The AAI African National Achievement Award (for 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.
• 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.
• 2015: Leadership Excellence Award by the Pan-African Youth Union.
• 2015: African Achievers Award.
• 2015: African Statesman of the Year by The African Sun Times.

Honorary Academic Awards

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

Legacy

Several places and institutions are named after Jakaya Kikwete to honour his contributions.

• Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam
• Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre, Dodoma
• Jakaya M Kikwete Youth Park, a sports facility in Dar es Salaam.
• Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF), a non-profit organization.
• Kikwete Bridge, a bridge across the Malagarasi River.
• Kikwete Hall, a large reception hall at the Dar es Salaam State House.
• Roads:
  • Jakaya Kikwete Road in Dodoma
  • Jakaya Kikwete Road in Nairobi, Kenya
• Schools:
  • Jakaya Kikwete Primary School in Muleba District.
  • Jakaya Kikwete Secondary School in Mbulu.
  • J. M. Kikwete Secondary School in Mbozi District.

Images for kids

• 

  President Kikwete shares a moment with Prime Minister Pinda.

• 

  Kikwete was the first African Head of State to meet President Obama in 2009.

See also

In Spanish: Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete para niños