The President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has adopted a baby girl who was abandoned earlier this year in Nzega, in a move she said was meant to give the child a chance to grow up in a safe and loving environment.
The infant was officially received by the president on March 11, 2026, during a brief handover ceremony held at Ikulu Chamwino, the presidential residence in Dodoma.
The baby, who has been named Grace Samia Suluhu, was discovered abandoned in Nzega earlier this year and had been under the care of local authorities as efforts were made to trace her biological family.
According to the Nzega District Commissioner, Naitapwaki Tukai, the child was found on January 17, 2026, near the Kasulu Guest House area in Nzega town after residents reported hearing a baby crying.
Tukai said local authorities immediately intervened after receiving the report and worked with police officers to rescue the infant and ensure she received proper medical attention.
“After we received the information, we coordinated with the police to pick up the child and take her to hospital for medical examination and care,” Tukai said during the handover ceremony.
He added that authorities launched efforts to trace the child’s mother and relatives, but those attempts did not yield any results.
“Despite continuous efforts to locate the mother or any family member, we were unable to identify anyone related to the child,” he said.
The president welcomed the baby into her family and pledged to raise her with care, protection and dignity.
Speaking during the event, President Samia condemned the practice of abandoning children and urged parents facing difficulties to seek help from authorities or social services instead.
“Those who abandon children do not understand what they are doing,” she said. “Instead of abandoning a child, it is better to hand the baby over to legal authorities or a children’s care centre.”
She added that every child deserves the opportunity to grow in a nurturing environment.
“Every child who is born is a treasure, and we do not know what their future holds,” the president said.
Officials said the adoption underscores the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children and raising awareness about responsible parenting and child welfare.
The infant will now grow up under the care of the president and her family at the State House residence in Dodoma.