20 March 2025, Brussels – Women Political Leaders (WPL) is honoured to announce the appointment of Neema Lugangira, Member of the Parliament of Tanzania and previous WPL Country Ambassador, as WPL Special Envoy for Africa.
Hon. Neema Lugangira is a Member of Parliament in Tanzania who brings extensive experience and a successful track record in championing policy advocacy and legislative reforms across different sectors. She has led efforts to advance digital inclusion, gender equality and; nutrition and food systems, both in Tanzania and internationally, while also playing a key role in strengthening governance and multi-sector collaboration. As the Chair of the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (APNIG), Co-Chair of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Executive Committee and Board Member of Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF, she brings deep expertise in governance, digital democracy and economic policy. Additionally, she has demonstrated a commitment to driving impactful, sustainable change through her leadership in global health and climate action initiatives.
“Neema is a powerful advocate for change across Africa. Her leadership in championing digital and health policies across the continent make her an exceptional choice for WPL Special Envoy for Africa. I’m confident that her vision, passion, and ability will further advance WPL’s mission to increase both the number and the influence of women in political leadership positions,” says Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President and Founder of WPL.
In this new role, Hon. Lugangira will work to advance WPL’s mission across the African continent, fostering greater representation and influence of women in political leadership. With her extensive experience in policy advocacy, legislative reforms and multi-sector collaboration, she is well-positioned to support WPL’s efforts to amplify the voices of women political leaders and strengthen partnerships across the continent.
“I am truly honoured to take on the role of WPL Special Envoy for Africa, joining forces with WPL to advance its mission across the continent; increase the number of women political leaders and strengthen the influence of women in political leadership.
Across Africa, women leaders have shaped policies, driving transformative changes and progress that have positively impacted millions. This journey has to be sustained and further augmented.
As WPL Special Envoy for Africa, I look forward to amplifying these voices, strengthening collaboration, and advancing innovations and initiatives in the envisioned impactful journey of firmly anchoring women in political leadership and decision-making processes.
By working closely with fellow WPL Special Envoys and the broader WPL network, we will be in a position to implement WPL goals on a broader scale, building a future where women’s leadership is fully recognised as essential to governance and sustainable development”, says Hon. Lugangira.
For more information or interview requests, please contact the WPL Press Office at [email protected]
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Notes to editors
About WPL
Women Political Leaders (WPL) is a global network of women politicians. Its mission is to increase the number and influence of women in political leadership positions. WPL communities include women in political office – Presidents, Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, and Members of Parliament.
About Neema Lugangira
Hon. Neema Lugangira (MP) is a Member of Parliament in Tanzania who brings extensive experience and a successful track record in championing policy advocacy and legislative reforms across different sectors. As a Parliamentarian, her personal prioritised agendas include food systems, nutrition and climate action, digital inclusion and development, global and community health, gender equality in politics and digital democracy (incl. election observation) in Tanzania and across Africa.
She also serves as the Chair of the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (APNIG) and the Chair of the Tanzania Chapter of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. At national level, Hon. Lugangira is the Founder of two NGOs; Agri Thamani, which is committed to ending malnutrition through nutrition advocacy, improve community nutrition in schools, elderly & hospitals; strengthen food systems and climate action; and Omuka Hub, which is focused on accelerating digital Tanzania through digital inclusion & development, digital rights & democracy; and digital advocacy with special focus on peripherals.
Whilst internationally, Hon. Lugangira is a Member of the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group of the United National Internet Governance Forum; the International Parliamentary Network on Education (IPNEd) Regional Representative for Africa; the UNITE – Global Parliamentarians Network for Global Health; Global Co-Chair of the Global Parliamentary Group to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vital Voices Fellow; WSIS Gender Trendsetter for Advancing Digital Gender Inclusion; and Host to the soon-to-be launched Neema Lugangira Podcast discussing all things development related to her above mentioned personal priority agendas.
