Benjamin Mkapa

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Benjamin Mkapa
3rd President of Tanzania
In office November 23, 1995 – December 21, 2005
Preceded by	Ali Hassan Mwinyi
Succeeded by	Jakaya Kikwete

Born	November 12, 1938 Mtwara, Tanzania
Political party	CCM
Spouse	Anna Mkapa

Benjamin William Mkapa (born November 12, 1938) is a former President of the United Republic of Tanzania (1995 - 2005) and former Chairman for the Revolutionary State Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi, CCM). He is a graduate of Makerere University. His second 5-year term of office ended in December 2005. Previous posts include being the administrative officer in Dodoma and the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education. He also led the Tanzania mission to the United States and was the Foreign affairs Minister from 1977 to 1980 and from 1984 to 1990.

During his term Mkapa continued the liberalization of the economy that began under his predecessor Ali Hassan Mwinyi. He privatized most of the state owned corporations and pursued free market policies designed to attract foreign investment.

His supporters argued that attracting foreign investment was the only way to achieve economic growth. His policies won the support of the World Bank and IMF and resulted in the cancellation of some of Tanzania's foreign debts.

He has also, however, drawn criticism for his lavish spending. He spent £15 million on a private presidential jet, as well as almost £30 million on military aviation equipment which experts deemed beyond the limited needs of the country's armed forces. It was over the latter purchase that then British International Development Secretary Clare Short expressed public outrage, resultingly becoming known as 'Mama radar' in the Tanzanian press.