An ode to Benjamin William Mkapa

What you need to know:

I worked with Mkapa and his government to enable Tanzania to become the first African country to qualify for debt relief under HIPC. It was during the Mkapa years that Tanzania became the first African country to sign an Open Skies pact

There are a number of things that come to mind as I reflect on the man and his meaning for his times. One: the country of Tanzania and the continent of Africa had no more faithful son that Ben Mkapa. Secondly: while President Magufuli, rightly, gets to lay the cornerstone for Tanzania’s recent designation as a middle-income country because of his stewardship of the country and the economy, Mkapa gets to take some credit too. Critical pieces of the foundation built on by Kikwete and Magufuli were laid during his time in office. Expanded exploration of Tanzania’s mineral resources started under Mkapa. I worked with him and his government to enable Tanzania to become the first African country to qualify for debt relief under HIPCs (Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries). It was during the Mkapa years that Tanzania became the first African country to sign an Open Skies Treaty with the United States.

An ode to Benjamin William Mkapa

What you need to know:

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