Magufuli shortlisted for Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2016 award

Tanzanian President John Magufuli has been nominated for this year’s Forbes Africa Person of the Year Awards. Magufuli was nominated for spearheading “the economic turnaround made to Tanzania’s economy”. The award is presented to an individual “who, for better or worse, has had the most influence on business on the year gone by”.

Magufuli, whose campaign slogan was Hapa kazi tu (Work and nothing else), has implemented a series of  changes to grow the economy, fighting corruption and cutting wasteful spending.

Read: Tanzania’s newly-elected President John Magufuli implements radical changes

The “bulldozer” as he is affectionately known, Magufuli has taken some pretty bold steps since he was elected as president almost a year ago. The steps have included the sacking of senior public officials for negligence, mismanagement of public funds and incompetence.

While social media has applauded Magufuli’s nomination, his selection has riled some who criticise him for descending heavily on political dissent in the country. Observers have also noted that investors are becoming uneasy over Magufuli’s introduction of numerous VAT and import taxes, and bans on some imports and exports, to finance his ambitious growth projections.

Adv. Thus Madonsela. Photo: http://bit.ly/1gpOGSd

The other nominees for the prestigious award include Thuli Madonsela: South Africa’s Public Protector who faced death threats in her quest to bring inconsistencies to the fore, Ameenah Gurib, the Mauritian president who is spearheading the drive to protect her nation’s environment.
 Michiel le Roux, the founder of Capitec Bank is part of the nominees for his role in making banking more accessible for South Africans, and the People of Rwanda have been nominated in recognition of how the country has reformed and is focusing on gender equality.

In the past, the award has been won by entrepreneurs and politicians have previously found the tough going. In 2012, the former president of Malawi Joyce Banda was among the nominees but she lost out to James Mwangi.

Readers can vote for their candidate, and their votes will contribute 25 percent towards the final decision.

Previous winners:

2015 Mohammed Dewji Ceo of Metl Group The entrepreneur and philanthropist who has spent the year strengthening MeTL group, his family business.

214 Aliko Dangote Chairman & Ceo Of The Dangote Group, Nigeria

2013 Akinwumi Adesina Minister Of Agriculture And Rural Development For Nigeria

2012 James Mwangi Ceo Of Equity Bank, Kenya

2011 Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Governor Of The Central Bank Of Nigeria