In this Aug 29, 2020 photo, Tanzania's incumbent President and presidential candidate of ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) John Magufuli (center) speaks during the official launch of the party's campaign for the October general election at the Jamhuri stadium in Dodoma, Tanzania. (ERICKY BONIPHACE / AFP)

DAR ES SALAAM - Tanzania’s re-elected President John Magufuli on Friday re-appointed Philip Mpango as finance minister, and promised continued reforms to the mining sector to help deliver the goal of 8 percent annual economic growth in his second term.

Gerson Msigwa, the director of presidential communications, said in a statement that the president had also re-appointed another ally, Palamagamba Kabudi, as minister of foreign affairs

Nicknamed the “Bulldozer”, Magufuli was declared the winner of polls last month after securing 84 percent of the vote, although the opposition have rejected the results, alleging widespread irregularities.

Magufuli’s choice to retain Mpango signals confidence in a minister who helped execute policies which, according to official figures, contributed to average growth of 6.9 percent during his first term, propelling Tanzania to low middle income status.

As finance minister since 2015, Mpango helped the president push through an industrialisation drive and implementation of big infrastructure projects, including a new rail line, hydropower dam and a revival of the national carrier.

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Magufuli told lawmakers on Friday his government aims to expand the economy by at least 8 percent and one of his key priority for his second term is continued reforms of the mining sector.

“There are some people who have been issued with exploration and mining licences but they have not worked on them, we will revoke the licences and distribute the areas to small and artisanal miners,” he told lawmakers.

“The steps that we will take in the next five years will help the mining sector to contribute at least 10 percent of the GDP by 2025.”

Gerson Msigwa, the director of presidential communications, said in a statement that the president had also re-appointed another ally, Palamagamba Kabudi, as minister of foreign affairs.