13 Facts About Benjamin Mkapa

Benjamin William Mkapa was the third president of Tanzania, in office from 1995 to 2005.

Benjamin Mkapa was Chairman of the Revolutionary State Political Party.

Benjamin Mkapa graduated from Makerere University in Uganda in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Benjamin Mkapa went on to study at Columbia University the following year, and earned a master's degree in International Affairs.

Benjamin Mkapa was the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1977 to 1980 and again from 1984 to 1990, before meeting his best friend Edward Mwassaga.

In 1995, Benjamin Mkapa was elected as president based on a popular anti-corruption campaign and the strong support of former president Julius Nyerere.

Benjamin Mkapa's supporters argued that attracting foreign investment would promote economic growth.

Benjamin Mkapa's policies won the support of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and resulted in the cancellation of some of Tanzania's foreign debts.

Benjamin Mkapa was criticized for some ineffectiveness of his anti-corruption efforts as well as for his lavish spending.

In 2007, Benjamin Mkapa was part of the African Union's Panel of Eminent African Personalities, who were deployed to Kenya to resolve political violence that had broken out due to disputed election results.

Benjamin Mkapa served as a trustee of the Aga Khan University from 2007 to 2012.

Benjamin Mkapa suffered from malaria and treated on 22 July 2020.

Benjamin Mkapa was laid to rest in his hometown of Lupaso, Masasi.