New Tanzanian president hopes to redefine leadership in Africa

Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli takes his campaign motto—“Work and nothing else”—to heart.

A few days after his election on Oct. 30, the corruption-fighting politician made a surprise visit to the National Hospital in Dar es Salaam. He fired the hospital’s managing director and dissolved the governing board after finding patients lying in the hallways. The country’s prime minister, Kasim Majaliwa, made a similar visit to Dar es Salaam’s port, where he discovered an estimated $40 million tax disparity.

Magufuli earned the nickname “Bulldozer” for his insistent battle against corruption and financial inefficiency when he served as a works minister. Today, that title still applies.

Supporters hope Magufuli will become the model of an ideal president in a continent crippled by corrupt governance. He’s so far focused on ridding the country’s government of corruption and reducing lavish spending. If successful, his efforts will go a long way to help rebalance the country’s economy, ensure internal stability, and possibly bridge the gap between the rich and poor—reforms many other African countries sorely need.

Shortly after taking office, the new president downsized his cabinet by 11 ministers. On Dec. 9, he replaced the country’s annual Independence Day celebration with a clean-up day, on which he was pictured shoveling a heap of dirt from the streets. He insisted it was shameful that the country planned on “spending huge amounts of money to celebrate 54 years of independence when our people are dying of cholera.” Instead, he channeled the money for the celebrations toward fighting the deadly disease.

While cautiously optimistic, analysts note this is only the beginning of Magufuli’s five-year term.

“What would be interesting to see would be whether he’ll continue this as part of his presidency, whether these early wins can be carried forward into the public service particularly,” said Adjoa Anyimadu, a research associate at the Chatham House Africa Program.

During his speech at the inauguration of the 11th parliament, Magufuli drew attention to the country’s major problems—embezzlement of funds within the local government, corruption, poor management of public resources, and a culture that perpetuates laziness. He is not the first president to make a pledge to end this crippling endemic. Magufuli’s predecessor, Jakaya Kikwete also promised an end to corruption. After two terms, his administration was marred by scandals ranging from the embezzlement of public funds to the abuse of human rights.

But Magufuli’s immediate efforts toward igniting change are a source of hope for many.

“He kind of hit the ground running with marking how he’s going to be for the next five years, making it clear he doesn’t intend to stand for poor performances of public service, or for corruption,” Anyimadu said.

The religious tension between Muslim and Christian communities in the country also presents Magufuli with the chance to succeed where others have failed. Since 2013, arson attacks in northwest Kagera region resulted in 13 church burnings amid threats from Muslim extremists. Arsonists attacked the Living Water International Church on three separate occasions. In the past few years, religious leaders have been beaten and murdered.

But Magufuli’s administration has made no mention of addressing either past or present arson cases—a step Anyimadu attributes to Tanzania’s political system.

“Tanzania is a place where religious affiliation has not really been a marker of political affiliation as it is in other countries in East Africa,” she said.

In terms of economic progress, Tanzania experienced a slight GDP drop—from 7 percent in 2014 to 6.8 percent in 2015—but is still faring well. Recent gas discovery in the country is making Tanzania a hotspot for oil companies. But the country’s lack of structural infrastructure poses a roadblock to progress.

Tanzanian officials announced a $14.2 billion plan to start construction on a standard gauge rail network in March. The project will continue over the next five years, as the country hopes to become the new regional transport hub. But it could bring an even greater resource to the rest of the country—electricity.

“A lot of Tanzanians see that as a way of electrifying the country and ensuring that rural areas are connected to electricity,” Anyimadu said.