# Benjamin Mkapa

_Tanzanian politician and former president (1938-2020)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/benjamin-mkapa
Last updated: 2026-11-01

> Benjamin William Mkapa was the third president of Tanzania, in office from 1995 to 2005. He was Chairman of the Revolutionary State Political Party.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 12 November 1938 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Ndanda ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P19))
- **Died:** 24 July 2020 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P570))
- **Place of death:** Dar es Salaam ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Tanzania ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; lawyer; diplomat; minister ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P106))
- **Political party:** Party of the Revolution ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P102))
- **Education:** Makerere University; Columbia University ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P69))
- **Spouse:** Anna Mkapa ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P26))
- **Positions held:** trustee (2007–2012); President of Tanzania (23 November 1995 – 21 December 2005); Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training (1992–1995); Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports (1990–1992); Minister of Foreign Affairs (1984–1990); Minister of Foreign Affairs (1977–1980) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P39))
- **Awards:** Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya; Order of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156#P166))

## Questions

**When was Benjamin Mkapa born?**  
Benjamin Mkapa was born on 12 November 1938 in Ndanda.

**What positions has Benjamin Mkapa held?**  
Positions held by Benjamin Mkapa include: trustee (2007–2012); President of Tanzania (1995–2005); Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training (1992–1995); Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports (1990–1992); Minister of Foreign Affairs (1984–1990).

**Where did Benjamin Mkapa study?**  
Benjamin Mkapa was educated at Makerere University, Columbia University.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Benjamin Mkapa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Mkapa) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q320156](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320156) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Benjamin Mkapa 2010-05-07.jpg by Copyright World Economic Forum (www.weforum.org)/Photo by Zahur Ramji / Mediapix (CC BY-SA 2.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Benjamin_Mkapa_2010-05-07.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Benjamin Mkapa, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Benjamin Mkapa 2010-05-07.jpg — Copyright World Economic Forum (www.weforum.org)/Photo by Zahur Ramji / Mediapix, CC BY-SA 2.0.

## Cite this page

"Benjamin Mkapa". DigiNepal. Last updated 1 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/benjamin-mkapa. Retrieved 5 November 2026.