H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, participated in the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program in 2013 while serving as Minister of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Dr. Mwinyi has had a distinguished career in medicine, government, and public service. After serving as Minister of Health, he went on to serve as Tanzania’s Minister of Defense and National Service. He was first elected President of Zanzibar in 2020 and was re-elected in October 2025 to serve a second five-year term.

Reflecting on his participation in the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program, President Mwinyi says the experience strengthened his approach to governance, leadership and delivering results for citizens.

“As Minister of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania, I had the privilege of attending the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program. The experience was engaging and insightful. It shaped my approach to governance and public service. Today, as President of Zanzibar, I see its impact clearly. The Program equipped me with the perspectives and tools to drive transformational development and deliver results for our people.”

The Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program supports government leaders in defining clear priorities, strengthening their leadership capabilities to drive transformational initiatives that can create lasting impact. The Program also provides opportunities for ministers to reflect on their leadership, exchange experiences with peers and build networks with current and former government leaders from around the world.

For President Mwinyi, the value of the Program has extended beyond his own leadership journey. He also encouraged members of his Cabinet to participate in the Program and observed positive changes in their leadership capabilities. He says:

 “Drawing from my experience, I encouraged members of my Cabinet to attend the Program. I can discern real and positive growth in their leadership skills. I highly recommend the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program to leaders across the globe who are committed to sustainable growth and improving people’s livelihoods.”

As President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, President Mwinyi continues to focus on transformational development and the delivery of meaningful results for the people of Zanzibar.