MPs Approve Philip Mpango as Tanzania's New Vice President

Dr. Philip Mpango is set to be sworn-in as the new Vice President of Tanzania after MPs unanimously approved his nomination on Tuesday.

Mpango’s name was forwarded to parliament for approval on Tuesday after President Samia Suluhu Hassan nominated him for the position.

Under the country’s Constitution, his nomination required the approval of at least 50 percent of the Members of Parliament.

The Vice President post fell vacant after Suluhu was sworn-in as President following the death of Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, who succumbed to a heart condition on March 17th.

Before his nomination, Mpango was serving as the Minister for Finance and Planning since November 2015.

He previously served as Acting Commissioner-General of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Executive Secretary in the Office of the President, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, and Personal Assistant to the President (Economic Affairs).

Mpango, 63, also worked as the Head of the President’s Economic Advisory Unit, and Senior Economist for the World Bank.