Emmanuel Nchimbi

Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, the Secretary General of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) since January 2024, is President Samia Suluhu’s running mate in the upcoming general election.

Born and raised in Tanzania, Nchimbi’s academic journey began at Oysterbay Primary School in Dar es Salaam from 1980 to 1986. He then proceeded to Uru Secondary School (1987-1989) before completing his Form IV studies at Sangu Secondary School in 1990. He attended Forest Hill Secondary School in Mbeya for his A-level education from 1991 to 1993. He later enrolled at the Institute of Development Management (IDM) Mzumbe in Morogoro, earning an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration between 1994 and 1997.

His political career took off shortly after his studies when he was elected to CCM’s National Executive Committee (NEC). In 1998, he became Chairman of CCM’s Youth League (UVCCM), a role that amplified his influence within the party. Simultaneously, he worked for the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) from 1998 to 2003. During this period, he also pursued a Master’s degree in Business Administration at Mzumbe University, specialising in banking and finance (2001-2003).

In 2003, Nchimbi entered public service as the District Commissioner of Bunda, a position he held until 2005. That same year, he transitioned into national politics, contesting for the Songea Urban parliamentary seat against Chadema’s Edson Mbogoro. With strong backing from CCM, he won with 67.6% of the vote. Shortly after assuming office in 2006, then-President Jakaya Kikwete appointed him Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Sports. Later that year, he was reassigned as Deputy Minister of Labour, Employment, and Youth, a role he held until 2008. He then moved to the Ministry of Defence and National Service, where he continued as Deputy Minister until 2010.

After securing re-election in the 2010 general election, albeit by a smaller margin, Nchimbi was elevated to a ministerial role. He initially served as Minister of Information, Culture, and Sports before being transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2012. However, he resigned from the position in December 2013.

Beyond his parliamentary career, Nchimbi was actively involved in the internal politics of CCM. In 2015, he, along with Sophia Simba and Adam Kimbisa, organised a protest within the party over the exclusion of Edward Lowassa from the CCM presidential primaries. This act earned them a firm warning from party leadership.

His diplomatic career began in 2017 when the late President John Magufuli appointed him as Tanzania’s ambassador to Brazil. Five years later, in 2022, President Suluhu reassigned him to serve as Tanzania’s ambassador to Egypt. His tenure in Egypt ended in August 2023 when a successor was appointed.