List of Presidents of Kiribati: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Kiribati from 1979 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Kiribati, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Kiribati: Taneti Maamau (in office since 2016). Kiribati became independent from Britain on 12 July 1979. The president is both head of state and head of government and is elected by popular vote from candidates nominated by Parliament; the constitution limits a president to three terms, so Maamau's term that began in 2024 is his last.

Presidents of Kiribati in order, with years in office

Ieremia Tabai

Served: 1979–1991

First president at independence on 12 July 1979 after serving as chief minister; he left office in 1991 after reaching the constitutional term limit.

Teatao Teannaki

Served: 1991–1994

Elected in 1991 and removed in 1994 after losing a parliamentary vote of no confidence.

Teburoro Tito

Served: 1994–2003

Elected in 1994 and re-elected twice; he left office in 2003 after losing a vote of no confidence.

Anote Tong

Served: 2003–2016

Elected in 2003 and re-elected twice; he became a leading international voice on climate change and sea-level rise and left office in March 2016 at the term limit.

Taneti Maamau

Served: 2016–present

Elected in March 2016 and re-elected in 2020 and in October 2024; he also serves as foreign minister, and Kiribati switched its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Kiribati

Who is the current president of Kiribati?

The current president of Kiribati is Taneti Maamau, in office since 2016. Kiribati became independent from Britain on 12 July 1979. The president is both head of state and head of government and is elected by popular vote from candidates nominated by Parliament; the constitution limits a president to three terms, so Maamau's term that began in 2024 is his last.

Who were the previous presidents of Kiribati?

The presidents and heads of state of Kiribati listed on this page, in order, are: Ieremia Tabai, Teatao Teannaki, Teburoro Tito, Anote Tong, Taneti Maamau.

Who was the first president of Kiribati?

Ieremia Tabai was the first president of Kiribati, in office 1979–1991.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of Kiribati and Taneti Maamau; Office of the President of Kiribati, PINA and Xinhua reports confirming Taneti Maamau in office through September 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of presidents since independence.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Oceania countries

Presidents of Fiji · Presidents of Marshall Islands · Presidents of Micronesia · Presidents of Nauru · Presidents of Palau · Presidents of Samoa · Presidents of Vanuatu · All Oceania presidents · All countries A–Z