The Africa-America Institute (AAI), expresses its sincere condolences to the family and people of the United Republic of Tanzania on the recent passing of His Excellency Benjamin William Mkapa, the former President of the United Republic of Tanzania and an AAI alumnus.  We have been proud to count the late President Mkpapa as a distinguished member of our AAI alumni family.

Below is a statement that has been issued from the Tanzania Chapter of the AAI Alumni Association:

“We, the Africa-America Institute’s Tanzania Alumni Association (AAI-TAA) was very sorry to learn of the passing on July 23rd, 2020, of former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Benjamin William Mkapa. His death is a tragic loss of the country’s most daring economic reformer and a highly respected professional diplomat and astute political paradigm shifter.  Africa recognizes that the late H.E. Mkapa brought about sweeping changes to Tanzania’s social, economic and political landscape, thereby helping transform the country’s economic system into one that strives on the foundations of a free market. Our Association also expresses its profound shock and deep sorrow to His Excellency John Pombe Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, the late President’s family and all Tanzanians and members of the African fraternity.  We will all miss H.E. Mkapa’s inspiration, tireless devotion to effect change and hard-working spirit for not only here in Tanzania, but across Africa and the world.

The AAI-TAA membership comprises beneficiaries of various training opportunities funded by the United Sates of America. Therefore, H. E. late President Mkapa was one of the most achieving alumni.  President Mkapa undertook his masters degree at Columbia University in 1963 and Participated in the African Travel Program (ATP) in 1981.  Thus, the AAI-TAA has lost the most successful member. We will always cherish indeed his unselfish actions of ensuring the marginalized people are empowered to live a better life worldwide.