On the morning of August 28, 2025, Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, was swept up in a spectacle that underscored the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party’s confidence ahead of the upcoming general election. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, seeking her first full term at the ballot box, and her running mate Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi launched CCM’s official campaign in the city’s Kawe suburb, transforming the area into a sea of yellow and green as supporters poured in from across the region. The event brought business to a halt, forced school closures, and even rerouted traffic—a testament to the party’s organizational might and the high stakes of this election season, according to The EastAfrican.
President Samia took the stage before a massive crowd, reflecting on her four years in office after stepping in following the untimely death of John Magufuli in 2021. "I can’t say we managed to fulfil all the promises we made in CCM’s 2020 election manifesto, but I can say with pride that we did a lot to make sure our country stays on a progressive development path and returns to the peaceful times of the past," she told the audience, as reported by The EastAfrican.
Setting the tone for her campaign, Samia pledged a bold agenda for her first 100 days if re-elected: the initiation of a long-awaited national constitution drafting process. She promised to establish a reconciliation commission to oversee the drafting of a new Katiba—a process that has stalled under several administrations, including her own and that of former president Jakaya Kikwete. Kikwete, now a member of CCM’s Central Committee, was present at the rally, lending historical weight to the moment.
But constitutional reform was only the beginning. Samia outlined her vision for consolidating Tanzania’s economy over the next five years, focusing on mining, infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. She cited plans to raise the annual number of tourists from the current 5.3 million and to target global export markets for Tanzanian agricultural products. Small-scale miners, who currently contribute $185 million of the country’s $423 million in mineral revenues, would be further empowered to boost their share.
Addressing social services, the president promised that her government would subsidize and, in some cases, provide free education and health services. She announced the rollout of a pilot Universal Health Insurance scheme covering the elderly, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities, with the National Health Insurance Fund reimbursing medical costs for these groups. Furthermore, she committed government support to cover all costs for expensive specialist treatments for non-communicable diseases—including cancer, kidney, and heart failure—at public referral hospitals. "The aim is to improve social welfare all-round but specifically for poor and downtrodden Tanzanians," Samia declared.
Samia also promised to formalize Tanzania’s vibrant informal sector, including Mama Lishe (women food vendors), boda boda (motorcycle taxi drivers), bajaji (three-wheeler drivers), and other small entrepreneurs. A Tsh200 billion ($80 million) fund would be set up as seed capital to help small and medium-sized businesses and startups thrive. Infrastructure wasn’t left out either: she pledged to complete the cross-border standard gauge railway (SGR) project, modernize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (Tazara) with a $1.4 billion public-private partnership, and expand both Tanga and Kigoma ports to increase their cargo-handling capacities.
On governance, Samia made an explicit commitment to greater transparency, promising to lift restrictions on media freedom and encourage more criticism of government policy. Cabinet ministers and senior officials, she said, would be required to answer questions from both media and citizens, including via digital platforms and SMS—a move she described as a new measure of ministerial performance.
Meanwhile, her running mate, Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, was rallying support in Mwanza region, specifically in Magu District’s Kisesa and Nyanguge Wards. According to Daily News, Nchimbi emphasized that clean water access is a central pillar of CCM’s election manifesto. He highlighted the planned National Water Grid project, which aims to address persistent water shortages across Tanzania. "In the first 100 days of Samia’s leadership, the issue of water will be one of the key priorities," Nchimbi stated, underscoring the government’s intent to alleviate the burden on women, who often shoulder the responsibility of fetching water for their families.
Across the Zanzibar Channel, CCM’s presidential candidate for the Isles, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, was also setting the tone for the campaign. Speaking at Mousetoung Grounds in Unguja after collecting his nomination forms from the Zanzibar Electoral Commission, Mwinyi called for peaceful, issue-based campaigns. "There is nothing more important than preaching and preserving peace in our country," he told supporters, as reported by The Citizen. He stressed the need to avoid hate, divisive, and abusive politics, urging party cadres to focus on policies and achievements rather than personal attacks. "Let us explain what we are going to deliver to the people. I am confident that with this approach, Zanzibaris will place their trust in us," Mwinyi said.
Dr. Mwinyi, seeking re-election for a second term, pledged to run a campaign marked by discipline and dignity. He called for unity within CCM, asking members to put aside any lingering differences from internal nomination processes and focus on winning all elective positions, including the Union presidency, parliamentary, councillor, and House of Representatives seats. "The most important thing now is to turn out in large numbers on October 29, 2025, and vote for CCM. That’s the only way to guarantee a resounding victory," he remarked. He also expressed gratitude to supporters who braved a heavy downpour to accompany him to the ZEC headquarters and then to the rally, singling out groups like teachers, the CCM Women’s Wing, and motorcycle and tricycle riders from both Unguja and Pemba for their support.
While CCM’s campaign machinery is in full swing, the country’s opposition parties face significant hurdles. The main opposition party, Chadema, has been barred from the contest, and its leader Tundu Lissu is facing treason charges after calling for electoral reforms. Meanwhile, ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate, Luhaga Mpina, was disqualified on eligibility grounds by the electoral commission, a move upheld by the Registrar of Political Parties. Both parties are now mired in legal battles, with court hearings scheduled in the coming weeks. According to The EastAfrican, this unprecedented situation has left democracy advocates deeply concerned about the prospects for a free and fair election.
The official campaign period is set to begin on September 11, 2025, with nomination forms due by September 10. The general election will take place on October 29, 2025. As the campaign season heats up, all eyes are on CCM’s promises—especially on constitutional reform, economic growth, and social welfare—and on whether the opposition can overcome the formidable barriers in their way.
With the ruling party touting its achievements and outlining ambitious plans for the future, and opposition voices fighting to be heard, Tanzania stands at a pivotal moment—one that will shape its democratic trajectory for years to come.
