Othman Masoud Sharif

Othman Masoud Othman (born 7 February 1963) is a Tanzanian lawyer and politician serving as the First Vice President of Zanzibar. He is also the national party chairman^[1] of ACT Wazalendo .^[2][3][4][5]

A trained lawyer, a diligent public servant, and an astute politician,^[6] Othman Masoud has indicated that he will be vying for president in the 2025 general election in Zanzibar.^[7][8]

Othman Masoud has worked in the Tanzanian public service since 1989, when he was a State Attorney (1989-1993).^[9] Between 1993 and 2002, he served in the joint role of principal secretary in the ministries responsible for justice, legal and constitutional affairs, and deputy Attorney General.

In 2002, he was appointed the first Director of Public Prosecutions in Zanzibar and was charged with setting up the Directorate and developing the capacity to make it operational and efficient. He served as Director of Public Prosecutions for a decade (2002-2011).

In 2011, he was appointed the Attorney General of Zanzibar and served in the Zanzibar Cabinet and House of Representatives as an ex-officio member. During that period Othman also served as a commissioner in the Zanzibar Planning Commission.

Since 2015, Othman Masoud has been active in politics in Zanzibar as a key revolutionary partner of Seif Sharif Hamad,^[10] while running his law firm, Othman Sharif and Associates, where he serves as the managing partner.

He is married to Zainab Shaib Kombo and has eight children.

Othman Masoud was born on Thursday, 7 February 1963 in Pandani village in Wete in Zanzibar’s Pemba Island.

He started his schooling in Pandani and later joined Pandani Secondary School and Ben Bella Secondary School for his O-Level (1978-1981). For his A-Level, he studied at the Institute of Kiswahili and Foreign Languages, where he got a certificate and diploma in language studies (1982-1986).

He then went to the University of Dar es Salaam (1986-1989) for an undergraduate degree in law, and thereafter, traveled to the United Kingdom for a graduate degree, a Master of Laws (LLM) in Commercial and Corporate Law (1991-1993). He returned to Tanzania and got into public service.

In 2006, Othman Masoud travelled to Italy where he spent two years studying for a Masters of Laws in Intellectual Property at the University of Turin, where he focused on patents, IP dispute resolution, copyright, trademarks, design and domain name administration.

Othman Masoud has been a member of Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT) Wazalendo Party since he left the public service in 2014.

Throughout that period, he has actively participated in party activities. He served as the party’s vice chairperson in Zanzibar. In 2021, when the party leader Maalim Seif Hamad died, Othman Masoud was appointed to succeed him and fill the seat of First Vice President of Zanzibar.^[11]

In March 2024, he was elected the national chairperson of ACT Wazalendo Party in the United Republic of Tanzania.^[12] He was also given the nod to vie for the presidency in Zanzibar in the October 2025 general elections.^[13]

Othman Masoud has worked in the Tanzanian public service since 1989, when he was a State Attorney (1989-1993). Between 1993 and 2002, he served in the joint role of principal secretary in the ministries responsible for justice, legal and constitutional affairs, and deputy Attorney General.

In 2002, he was appointed the first Director of Public Prosecutions in Zanzibar and was charged with setting up the Directorate and developing the capacity to make it operational and efficient.

As the pioneering and inaugural Director of Public Prosecutions, Othman Masoud spearheaded the establishment of the office from the ground up. Through a rigorous merit-based recruitment process followed by specialized training, he transformed the office into the most successful prosecution entity in the region. Innovatively, Othman Masoud introduced the civilianization of prosecution in Tanzania, where trained prosecution attorneys took over responsibilities from the police. He also instituted standard operating procedures for the application of forensic evidence in prosecutions, ensuring meticulous and scientific case handling.

Under his  leadership, the office published the first Prosecution Manual and launched a quarterly newsletter, Shahidi, to educate the public on the administration of criminal justice. Furthermore, Othman Masoud established a resource center for economic crimes, which now serves as a training ground for lawyers in various specializations, solidifying the office's role as a beacon of excellence in the legal community.

He served as Director of Public Prosecutions for a decade (2002-2011).

When Othman Masoud became Attorney General of Zanzibar in April 2011, the Attorney General’s Chambers, despite its 105-year history, faced significant challenges: no infrastructure, no governing statute, only nine State Attorneys, no law library, and no institutional support. In less than four years, Othman Masoud’s transformative leadership convinced the government to invest in the Chambers' improvement. He oversaw the construction of a new building, developed and enacted legislation to guide its operations, and reformed the institutional framework. By recruiting ten additional lawyers, establishing a robust law library, and introducing in-house professional training, Othman Masoud revitalized the Chambers, laying a strong foundation for its future success

As Attorney General, Othman  Masoud also served in the Zanzibar Cabinet and House of Representatives as an ex-officio member. He also served as a commissioner in the Zanzibar Planning Commission.

Othman Masoud has had a distinguished career marked by significant contributions across various sectors.

From 1990 to 1996, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of Bizanje Corporation, where his leadership skills began to shine. In 1997, Masoud became the founding Chairman of the Zanzibar Revenue Board, overseeing its establishment and development over six transformative years until 2003. His vision and dedication laid the groundwork for what today is Zanzibar Revenue Authority, which collects revenue for the development of the Island nation.

During this period, from 1999 to 2010, Masoud was a member of the Examiners Board at the University of Zanzibar, playing a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape. Concurrently, from 2001 to July 2006, he served on the Zanzibar Education Board, further demonstrating his commitment to education.

Othman Masoud's expertise in legal and regulatory matters was evident when he chaired the Zanzibar Labour Law Reform Committee from November 2002 to January 2004. His role as Chairman of the Drafting Experts for Tanzania's anti-money laundering legislation from August 2004 to March 2005 showcased his dedication to strengthening legal frameworks.

In December 2006, he was appointed a member of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Review Panel, serving until 2010. His contributions to public administration were further recognized when he was appointed as the Designated Traveller and Goodwill Ambassador of the State of Arkansas, USA, in August 2007.

From 2008 to 2011, Othman Masoud chaired the Governing Board of the Zanzibar Institute of Public Administration, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing public service delivery. His expertise was also sought as the Lead Policy and Legislative Review Consultant and Draftsman for the Zanzibar Public Service Reform and Zanzibar Planning Commission Reform from 2010 to 2011.

Also, in December 2008, Othman Masoud was appointed Commissioner of the Joint Finance Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania, a role he held until May 2019. His strategic insights and leadership significantly contributed to the commission's effectiveness.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Masoud was selected by the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a UN organization, to serve as a member of the 7-member Independent Advisory Oversight Committee, representing African Member States. This prestigious role, involving quarterly meetings in Geneva, was initially for a three-year term and was renewed at the request of African Member States from January 2020 to December 2022.

Othman Masoud's career is a testament to his unwavering dedication to public service, legal reform, and institutional development. His leadership has left an indelible mark on the various organizations he has served, contributing significantly to the advancement of his nation and beyond.

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