Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – 30 June 2025 – The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) Tanzania is honoured to welcome Her Excellency Ambassador Cessouma Minata Samate as the new Chair of the ALMA Board. Ambassador Samate brings to this position a wealth of experience in diplomacy, governance, and public health, marked by decades of leadership across national and continental platforms.

Ambassador Samate is a seasoned diplomat and policy leader, most recently serving as the African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development until February 2025. She has held several senior positions in government and diplomacy, including Diplomatic Advisor to the President of Burkina Faso and Deputy Minister in charge of Regional Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also made significant contributions at the international level as Director of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur. Throughout her career, she has been a committed advocate for health equity, peace, and development, playing a key role in advancing responses to malaria, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19 across the continent.

Ambassador Samate assumes the Chair from Dr. Adolphine Kateka, who has served the ALMA Tanzania Board with distinction since March 2019.

Dr. Kateka’s leadership has been exemplary. Her dedication, attention to detail, and strategic vision have guided ALMA Tanzania through critical years of growth and strategic repositioning. We are deeply grateful for her service and legacy.

Joy Phumaphi, ALMA’s Executive Secretary, expressing deep gratitude for Dr. Kateka’s service

In accepting her appointment, Ambassador Samate stated:

It is a great honour to serve as Chair of the ALMA Board. I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by my predecessor, and to working collaboratively to accelerate our fight against malaria and improve health outcomes for Africa.

H.E. Ambassador Cessouma Minata Samate

ALMA remains committed to advancing the African Union’s vision for a malaria-free continent and is confident that under Ambassador Samate’s leadership, we will continue to deliver lasting impact, changing the story for millions across the continent, especially women and children who remain most affected by malaria.