Dr Ashatu Kijaji

Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade | Tanzania Government

Dr. Ashatu K. Kijaji holds a PhD in International Management Majoring in Economics acquired from University of Agder in Norway between 2008-2013. She also holds a Master Degree of Science in Business Administration specialized in International Management from the same University.

Dr. Kijaji is a political-academic figure served in different positions within the government including the current position she holds as the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade since January 10th, 2022. She also served as the Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Communication Technology between September 12th, 2021 to January 8th, 2022. In the Fifth government under the leadership of the late President John P. Magufuli, Dr. Kijaji served as the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning between December 12th, 2015 to November 5th, 2020. She also serves as the Member of Parliament for Kondoa Constituency since November, 2015.

Before joining political arena, Dr. Kijaji held various posts while serving in academic institution namely Mzumbe University since 2002 to 2015 as Tutorial Assistant, Assistant Lecturer, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Head of Development Policy Department, and Director of Institute of Development Studies.

Dr. Kijaji has a notable achievement while serving as the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning in collaboration with the then Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Phillip Isdor Mpango who is the current Vice President of Tanzania managed to make a country strong in terms of economic performance to qualify for the status of middle-income country as declared by the World Bank.