The Latest

CRDB Bank Signs Over TZS 300 Billion Strategic Partnerships With International Financial Institutions to Expand Lending to SMEs

CRDB Bank has signed over TZS 300 billion in partnerships with FinDev Canada, DEG, and Shelter Afrique Development Bank to expand lending to small and medium enterprises, particularly those led by women and focused on climate-resilient projects. The partnerships also include financing through CRDB’s subsidiary in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support affordable housing, advancing financial inclusion and sustainable development across Africa.
October 22, 2025
2 minute read
Tanzania CRDB Bank FinDev Canada KFW DEG

CRDB, Tanzania’s largest bank, has signed strategic partnership agreements worth over TZS 300 billion with three international financial institutions to promote financial inclusion and sustainable development across Africa.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, during the “Investors and Partners Forum” held in Washington D.C., on the sidelines of the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings.

The agreements were signed between CRDB Bank and FinDev Canada, DEG (KfW Group, Germany), and Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB).

The event, organized by CRDB Bank, brought together international investors and senior government officials from Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The forum was attended by high-level delegates, including the Ministers of Finance of Burundi, the Minister of Information of the DRC, the Governors of the Central Banks of Tanzania and Burundi, the Ambassadors of Tanzania and Burundi to the United States, and Dr. Mwamba, who led the Tanzanian delegation to the World Bank and IMF meetings and officiated the forum.

The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed by CRDB Bank Group CEO Abdulmajid Nsekela, Shelter Afrique Development Bank CEO Thierno-Habib Hann, DEG CEO Roland Siller, and FinDev Canada CEO Lori Kerr.

Through the partnership with FinDev Canada, CRDB Bank secured USD 60 million aimed at expanding lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on women-led businesses and climate-resilient projects.

The partnership with DEG will provide USD 50 million in financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania to promote business growth, innovation, and job creation.

Meanwhile, the collaboration with Shelter Afrique Development Bank will address housing shortages in the region, with an initial USD 10 million allocated to CRDB’s subsidiary in the DRC.

Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Mwamba encouraged the international community to invest capital and technology in Tanzania, citing the country’s stable business environment, sound policies, and attractive investment incentives.

Want to know more about Banking in Tanzania? Our free Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers Banking, plus regulations, key sectors, and investment opportunities—all in one place.

Download Free Guide
Tweet
Share
Share
Share
Related Posts
Bank of Tanzania Financial Stability Index 2014-2025
Read More

Tanzania Banking Assets Up 23.8%, Capital Markets Up 35.1%, Social Security Up 21.4%, Insurance Up 6.8% in 2025

The Bank of Tanzania Financial Stability Report for 2025 shows banking sector total assets grew 23.8% to TZS 76,975 billion, private sector credit expanded 23.5% with mining up 30.1% and trade up 29.4%, and the non-performing loans ratio fell to 2.8%, the lowest in the East African Community. Total capital market investment rose 35.1% to TZS 63,096.4 billion, social security assets grew 21.4% to TZS 25,921 billion, insurance assets rose 6.8% to TZS 2,633.6 billion, and foreign reserves stood at USD 6,312 million covering 5.2 months of imports.
Central Bank of Tanzania BOT CBR Interest Rate Q2 2026
Read More

BOT Keeps Tanzania Central Bank Rate at 5.75% for Q2 2026; GDP Growth Reached 6.2% in Q1 2026, Driven by Construction, Agriculture, Financial Services, and Tourism

The Bank of Tanzania (BOT) recently released its Monetary Policy Report of April 2026, in which it indicates that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep the Central Bank Rate (CBR) at 5.75% in Q2 2026. The decision reflects a cautious policy stance aimed at balancing the risks to inflation and economic growth outlook, in the face of the current unprecedented geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Tanzania banking sector performance Q1 2026
Read More

Tanzania Banking Sector Q1 2026 Performance: Net Profit Up 16% to TZS 671 Billion, Top Five Banks Hold 60–65% of Assets

Tanzania's banking sector recorded net profit after tax of TZS 671 billion in Q1 2026, up 16% from TZS 580 billion in Q1 2025, on total assets of TZS 84.6 trillion, according to AML Finance Limited. CRDB profit rose 19% to TZS 206 billion and NMB reached TZS 193 billion, while the top 5 banks now hold 60–65% of total sector assets, with average ROE at 10.6% and NPL at 6.5%.

Want to know more about investing in Tanzania? Our free Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers key sectors, regulations, and investment opportunities—all in one place.

Download Free Guide