Brussels / Dodoma, 26 June 2025 — Women Political Leaders (WPL) is delighted to announce the appointment of Honourable Neema Lugangira (MP) of Tanzania as the organisation’s Secretary General, effective 1 June 2025.
A globally respected advocate for digital transformation and women’s leadership, Hon. Lugangira brings a wealth of experience and a bold vision to this pivotal role. She becomes the first-ever Secretary General of WPL, marking a strategic milestone in the organisation’s evolution and reinforcing its commitment to globally representative leadership.
“Neema Lugangira is an outstanding leader with a powerful track record of action, impact, and innovation. Her appointment as Secretary General reflects WPL’s ambition to deepen our global influence and strengthen the presence of women in the highest spheres of political decision-making,” said Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President and Founder of WPL.
A Global Voice for Women in Politics
Hon. Lugangira has served in multiple global leadership roles, including:
• WPL Special Envoy for Africa (transitioning from this role)
• Founding Chair, African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (APNIG)
• Chair, Global Parliamentary Caucus on Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Co-Chair, Executive Committee of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement
• Board Member, Parliamentary Network of the World Bank and IMF
As a Member of Parliament for Tanzania, she has long championed causes at the intersection of health equity, digital transformation and internet governance, nutrition and food systems, and gender inclusion.
She has also been instrumental in shaping and advancing WPL’s initiatives — most notably leading the inaugural WPL FemAI Lab in Tanzania, a pioneering effort to explore how artificial intelligence intersects with women’s political leadership.
Leading with Impact
In her new role, Hon. Lugangira will be responsible for:
• Driving WPL’s strategic direction and global programming
• Strengthening institutional partnerships and stakeholder engagement
• Leading the organisation’s operational coordination and governance support
• Representing WPL in high-level political and international forums
• Advancing fundraising efforts and developing WPL’s 2026–2028 strategic positioning
“I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Secretary General of WPL that compliments my being a Member of Parliament, at such a critical moment. Women’s leadership is essential for building trust, resolving global challenges, and shaping a more inclusive future. I look forward to working closely with WPL’s network and partners worldwide to lead with purpose and deliver meaningful progress whilst ensuring we strengthen the voices and influence of women in parliament,” said Hon. Lugangira.
Media Contact:
Georgina Unsworth 📧 [email protected] 🌐 www.womenpoliticalleaders.org
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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.
