MWE Correspondent
Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), will host a Special National Congress on Saturday, July 26, 2025, marking a significant moment in the party’s evolving structure and digital transformation.
For the first time, this major political meeting will be held entirely online.
According to Amos Makalla, the party’s Secretary for Ideology, Publicity, and Training, the congress aims to implement minor constitutional amendments—changes he described as “essential” to enhancing party operations in the modern era.
“I’ve received numerous phone calls and seen a lot of public speculation on social media,” Makalla told journalists during a press briefing in Dodoma, the nation’s capital. “I want to confirm that the Special National Congress will indeed take place tomorrow and it will be conducted virtually.”
The virtual format reflects a broader shift in how political parties and institutions in Africa are adapting to a more digitally connected world. This move follows CCM’s previous reforms in May 2025, when the party approved a package of constitutional amendments to formally allow virtual meetings across its leadership structures and committees.
CCM, which has governed Tanzania since the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964, is the oldest and largest political party in the country. It boasts more than 12 million members nationwide.
The upcoming congress is seen as both a practical and symbolic moment, particularly as the country heads toward the 2025 general election scheduled for October. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who also serves as the party’s national chairperson, has consistently emphasized governance reforms and increased transparency in public and political affairs.
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The focus of Saturday’s session is expected to revolve around technical adjustments, including the structure of the party’s Board of Trustees, digital voting protocols, and improved oversight mechanisms. These reforms are meant to align CCM’s internal governance with Tanzania’s broader digital transformation strategy and the evolving expectations of its electorate—especially younger members.
This congress also marks a significant test of the party’s ability to maintain unity and coordination across its sprawling membership base without the need for traditional, in-person rallies. In the past, CCM national congresses have drawn thousands of delegates from all regions, often featuring elaborate speeches and political fanfare.
Yet this year’s meeting—despite being streamed online—could prove no less consequential.
The outcome of the congress is expected to set the tone for the party’s campaign strategy in the upcoming elections and will likely shape the internal power dynamics leading into 2026 and beyond. Observers are watching closely to see how the proposed constitutional changes reflect CCM’s evolving political priorities, especially around issues like transparency, technology, and youth engagement.
