By Eva Ngowi and Chedaiwe Msuya, Tanga
Tanga City has taken centre stage in Tanzania’s drive to deepen financial inclusion as preparations gather pace for the Fifth National Financial Services Week, an annual initiative aimed at equipping citizens with practical financial knowledge and expanding access to formal financial services.
The Acting Commissioner for Financial Sector Development at the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Dionisia Mjema, together with a national coordination team, held high-level discussions with the Tanga District Commissioner, Mr. Dadi Kolimba, to fine-tune arrangements for the week-long event.
The celebrations, which began earlier this week, will be officially launched tomorrow, jan 21, 2026, at the Usagara Grounds in Tanga City.
The meeting, held at the Regional Commissioner’s Office in Tanga, focused on the effective implementation of the programme, which is organised by the Government through the Ministry of Finance under the theme: “Financial Education: The Foundation of Economic Development.”
The event brings together a wide range of stakeholders from the financial sector, including banks, microfinance institutions, pension funds, insurance providers, fintech companies and small business associations from Tanga and neighbouring regions.
Speaking on behalf of the Tanga Regional Commissioner, District Commissioner Dadi Kolimba reaffirmed the region’s full support for the initiative, noting that local authorities were committed to ensuring the event achieves its intended objectives.
He urged residents of Tanga to turn out in large numbers to take advantage of the opportunity to learn how to better manage their finances and unlock pathways to economic self-reliance.
“National Financial Services Week is a critical platform for citizens to gain financial knowledge, understand formal financial services and identify opportunities that can help them improve their livelihoods,” Mr Kolimba said. “This is particularly important for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, who are the backbone of local economic activity.”
He added that improved financial literacy plays a vital role in boosting household incomes, encouraging savings and investment, and supporting sustainable economic growth at both local and national levels.
For her part, Ms Mjema said the central objective of the celebrations is to empower Tanzanians to make informed financial decisions by strengthening their financial literacy. She explained that the event also serves as a meeting point between citizens and financial institutions, helping to bridge information gaps and build trust within the financial ecosystem.
“This week is about bringing services closer to the people,” she said. “We want citizens to understand how to use financial products responsibly, whether it is saving, borrowing, insuring their businesses or planning for retirement. At the same time, we are creating a space where banks, microfinance institutions, social security funds and entrepreneurs can interact, share ideas and build partnerships that promote financial inclusion.”
A broader national agenda
The National Financial Services Week forms part of wider agenda to strengthen financial inclusion as a driver of economic transformation.
Over the past decade, the country has made notable progress in expanding access to financial services, largely driven by the rapid growth of mobile money, agent banking and digital financial platforms.
According to official data, millions of Tanzanians who were previously excluded from the formal financial system now have access to basic financial services.
However, policymakers acknowledge that access alone is not enough. Financial education has emerged as a critical missing link, particularly for low-income households, youth, women and small-scale entrepreneurs, many of whom struggle with debt management, savings discipline and long-term financial planning.
By hosting the event in Tanga, a historic port city with a diverse economic base that includes trade, agriculture, fisheries and small-scale manufacturing, the Government aims to reach communities that play a key role in regional commerce while addressing persistent financial knowledge gaps.
Building resilient households and businesses
Throughout the week, participants will have access to exhibitions, interactive training sessions, one-on-one financial advisory services and live demonstrations of digital financial products. These activities are designed to translate policy goals into practical skills that can help individuals and businesses withstand economic shocks, grow sustainably and contribute to national development. As the celebrations continue, organisers hope the message of financial empowerment will resonate beyond Tanga, reinforcing the idea that informed financial decisions at the household level are fundamental to building a resilient, inclusive and prosperous Tanzanian economy.
