Twaweza’s Aidan Eyakuze elected as Civil Society Co-Chair of the Open Government Partnership

Twaweza’s Executive Director, Aidan Eyakuze, has been elected as Civil Society Co-Chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). His term as Lead Co-Chair alongside the Government of Italy will begin in late 2021. Until then, and in collaboration with the Government of Italy, he will support the new Lead Co-Chairs, Maria Baron, Executive Director of Directorio Legislativo, and the Government of South Korea, to advance the work of the Partnership.

This is the second time that Tanzania, and Twaweza in particular, has produced the Civil Society Co-Chair, who serve in their personal capacity, for the OGP. It comes at a time when Africa’s presence on the Steering Committee includes civil society leaders such as Lysa John, Secretary-General of Civicus, Stephanie Muchai of Hivos and Oluseun Onigbinde, founder of BudgIT. The governments of Nigeria and Kenya also serve on the Steering Committee.

Founded in 2011 by eight governments (Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States) and civil society leaders, the Open Government Partnership inspires and supports governments to work in partnership with civil society and the private sector to co-create and implement ambitious open government reforms. Since its inception in 2011, OGP has grown to 78 participating countries and a growing number of local governments.

Aidan Eyakuze proposes to focus on defending civic space across the partnership so that citizens can make government more accountable, deepening open government principles and practices at local government levels where most citizens have their most direct and frequent encounters with government, and demonstrating how open government can directly improve quality of life for citizens.

Aidan Eyakuze said: “I have learnt a great deal from my four years of close engagement with the Open Government Partnership. I look forward to co-leading, with the Government of Italy, the courageous global community of activists and reformers who breathes daily life into the promise of government working for the people.”

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TANESCO YABORESHA UPATIKANAJI WA UMEME MKOA WA GEITA

Waziri wa Madini Mhe. Dotto Biteko (wa pili kushoto mwenye fulana nyeusi) akisikiliza maelezo kutoka kwa Mhandisi wa (TANESCO) Kituo cha Mpomvu Mkoani Geita Ramadhani Kidunda kuhusu shughuli mbalimbali zinazofanywa na Shirika hilo wakati waziri huyo alipotembelea kwenye Banda la TANESCO kwenye maonesho ya Madini yanayoendelea Geita.

Mhandisi wa (TANESCO) Kituo cha Mpomvu Mkoani Geita Ramadhani Kidunda akitoa maelezo kuhusu shughuli mbalimbali zinazofanywa na Shirika hilo katika Mkoa wa Geita kwa Waziri wa Madini Dotto Biteko alipotembelea kwenye Banda la Shirika hilo kwenye Maonyesho ya Madini yanayoendelea katika viwanja vya Bombambili Mjini Geita.

 

Muonekano wa Banda la TANESCO katika maonesho ya Madini yanayoendelea kwenye viwanja vya Bombambili Geita.

 

Waziri wa Madini Mhe. Dotto Biteko akitia saini kwenye kitabu cha wageni mara baada ya kuwasili kwenye Banda la TANESCO kwenye maonesho ya Sekta ya Madini yanayoendelea kwenye viwanja vya Bombambili Geita.

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Wafanyakazi wa Benki ya DCB walivyoshiriki mbio za Masaki Corporate Marathon 2020

Wafanyakazi wa Benki ya Biashara ya DCB wakinyoosha viungo mara baada ya kushiriki mbio za Masaki Corporate Marathon 2020 katika Uwanja wa The Green, Masaki jijini Dar es Salaam hivi karibuni.

Baadhi ya wafanyakazi hao wakijinyoosha ili kujiweka sawa mara baada ya kushiriki mbio hizo za mwaka huu katika Uwanja wa The Green, Masaki jijini Dar es Salaam juzi.

Baadhi ya wafanyakazi wa Benki ya DCB, wakishiriki mbio hizo zilizoanzia katika Uwanja wa The Green, Masaki, Dar es Salaam hivi karibuni.

Wafanyakazi wa Benki ya Biashara ya DCB walioshiriki mbio za mwaka huu za Masaki Corporate Marathon wakipiga picha ya kumbukumbu mara baada ya kumaliza mbio hizo katika Uwanja wa The Green Masaki, jijini Dar es Salaam hivi karibuni.

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Strategic Digital Transformation in Africa

By Vimal Kumar - Chief Executive: Retail and Business Banking, Digital and Customer Experience, Absa Regional Operations

The social re-order brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have generated many learnings, but also still hold a great number of unknowns.

What is clear, is that in terms of digital innovation and progress, we have had to compress several years of evolution into a very short space of time as everyone has been forced to adapt to managing businesses remotely and the deployment of new low contact transactional capabilities. 

Austrian economist, Joseph Schumpeter, coined the phrase creative destruction, which speaks to the need to constantly destroy what you have created to build a new order– exactly what we are experiencing now. 

Business models will begin to alter significantly and become smarter and leaner in order to survive and emerge stronger post-lockdown. For most institutions, this will entail the rethink of distribution structures with a focus on reskilling colleagues to support sales and advisory, while automating backend processes. There will be a fundamental shift to digitally delivered, remote and contactless banking.

What will a post-COVID landscape look like?

The banking and financial services ecosystem, of which Absa forms a major part, is demonstrably part of the solution during and post this pandemic.

During the last global crisis when international financial markets crashed, global financial institutions had been at the heart of the problem, but now banks are seen by regulators and governments as key to providing financial relief and driving economic recovery programmes.

On the transactional front, customers now expect a fully immersive experience and COVID-19 is driving everyone towards a low contact, low touch economy.

Banks that remain within the traditional domain will be pushed to the margins by other competitors, intermediaries and Fintechs who previously may not have had a strong appeal with customers , but who now offer convenient solutions, seamless efficiency and a service experience that is channel agnostic. 

The African banking arena will see more non-traditional competitors in financial services such as global e-commerce and tech companies such as Facebook, Alibaba, Tencent etc who will expand their footprint on the continent by deploying their global capabilities and know-how. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) such as MTN, Vodacom and Airtel are also increasing their appetite to participate in financial services and have the capability to quickly scale up, given their significantly larger customer bases and distribution muscle. 

We are moving towards a marketplace environment where various players will be forced to bring their unique solutions to the market- while sourcing other capabilities from elsewhere on behalf of customers. At this point, ownership of the customer will not be the dominant consideration but rather building an ecosystem that puts the customer at the centre. 

The ability to exploit big data and digitisation are mere enablers in the new economy; the real differentiator, increasingly, is the ability to hyper personalise the customer experience and provide convenience.

Enhanced customer experience is going to be imperative and the choice of bank for customers will be based purely on maximum convenience – the ability to bank when they want, where they want, and how they want.

How has Absa been able to respond to this fast-changing landscape?

The Separation Programme from Barclays presented Absa with the opportunity to re-examine its technology stacks and architecture. Investment, over the last two to three years, has largely been allocated to technology upgrades, front-end solutions and organisation-wide automation. Our investments, amongst others, include state-of-the art cards and payments platforms, front end teller system and a new look Mobile Banking app with world class UI/UX. built on the Xamarin framework.

Separation prepared Absa to be in a better space today than many others who may have been caught unaware by this global pandemic. 

Absa boasts a heritage of global best practice risk management protocols and standards and is now focusing on aligning this with building stronger remote and videobanking capabilities.

Absa’s digital journey will fundamentally create a distinct position for the bank amongst African peers. 

How is this achieved?

Absa's transition to digital came about as a result of the separation from Barclays which, in itself, held tremendous risks because what we managed to successfully complete in 36 months had never been done before, and the scale of it was unprecedented. 

But at the same time, it also created new opportunities for Absa, particularly around the use of big data to build our customer intelligence and ultimately our customer experience offering.

Simply put, utilising data to make informed decisions and do more for customers. Absa has, and will continue to invest heavily in its big data capabilities. 

The bank’s digital C360 analytics platform has won significant praise internationally, including two recent awards for the Absa Regional Operations’ (ARO) Data Analytics team, for the 2019 Best Technology Initiative – Rest of the World award at the Financial Innovation Awards, and the 2020 Best use of Analytics in Financial Services at the Retail Banking International Awards.

These investments will allow Absa to hyper-personalise experiences for each customer, using data, so that each individual customer becomes unique and a segment of one for us as a bank.

Our direction of travel is very clear in a landscape with hundreds of competitors. We are building on our capabilities and solutions - even through partnerships and other service providers - and digitising journeys to deliver extraordinary customer experiences.

Ultimately, demanding loyalty is a thing of the past. In the future, banks that are customer service organisations first and foremost, will succeed.

So will that be the end of bank branches and people?

Moving to a leaner model means less back office and more focus on sales and advisory, and branches will transform but will not disappear entirely. 

The future is not physical or digital, rather the future is bionic or Phygital as the new catch word these days.

An ecosystem will emerge that will see digital experiences completely mimic what a customer would do in a branch. The ultimate aim? A single customer experience that is absolutely uniform and channel agnostic. 

A large part of our success lies in taking our colleagues along with us on this journey.

Most organisations fail on digital transformation because they do not include people as part of the process, so as we transitioned from Barclays into Absa, we started a cultural change where staff today are as much part of this as anybody else.

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SERIKALI YAIPONGEZA BENKI YA DCB KUWEZESHA MIRADI YA VICOBA

Katibu Mtendaji Baraza la Taifa la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi, Beng'i Issa (wa pili kulia) akikata utepe wakati wa uzinduzi wa miradi ya kilimo, ufugaji, makazi na viwanda vidogovidogo wa wanavicoba wa Asasi isiyo ya kiserikali inayotoa usimamizi na uangalizi wa Vicoba (UYACODE) uliofanyika katika kijiji cha Malivundo, Chalinze mkoani Pwani jana. Kutoka kulia ni Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya Biashara ya DCB, Geofrey Ndalahwa, Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Wakurugenzi Uyacode, Agnes Mangula, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Asasi hiyo, Michael Mgawe na Mkurugenzi wa Biashara wa DCB, Zacharia Kapama.

Katibu Mtendaji Baraza la Taifa la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi, Beng'i Issa (kulia) akishikana mikono na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya Biashara ya DCB, Geofrey Ndalahwa  wakati wa Uzinduzi wa miradi ya kilimo, ufugaji, makazi na viwanda vidogovidogo wa wanavicoba wa Asasi isiyo ya kiserikali inayotoa usimamizi na uangalizi wa Vicoba (UYACODE) uliofanyika katika kijiji cha Malivundo, Chalinze mkoani Pwani jana. Wengine kutoka kushoto ni, Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Wakurugenzi Uyacode, Agnes Mangula, Mkurugenzi wa Biashara wa DCB, Zacharia Kapama na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Uyacode, Michael Mgawe.

Katibu Mtendaji Baraza la Taifa la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi, Beng'i Issa (wa pili kulia), na wengine kutoka kushoto; Mkurugenzi wa Biashara wa Benki ya DCB, Zacharia Kapama, Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Asasi ya Uyacode, Agnes Mangula, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa DCB, Geofrey Ndalahwa na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Uyacode, Michael Mgawe wakifunua kitambaa kuashiria uzinduzi rasmi miradi ya kilimo,  ufugaji, viwanda vidogovidogo na  na makazi ya wanavicoba wa Uyacode uliofanyika katika kijiji cha Malivundo, Chalinze mkoani Pwani jana.

Katibu Mtendaji Baraza la Taifa la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi, Beng'i Issa (kulia) akishikana mikono na Mkurugenzi wa Biashara wa Benki ya DCB, Zacharia Kapama wakti wa uzinduzi rasmi wa miradi ya kilimo, ufugaji, makazi  na viwanda vidogovidogo wa wanavicoba wa Asasi isiyo ya kiserikali inayotoa usimamizi na uangalizi wa Vicoba (UYACODE) uliofanyika katika kijiji cha Malivundo, Chalinze mkoani Pwani jana. Wengine kutoka kushoto ni, Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Wakurugenzi Uyacode, Agnes Mangula na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa DCB, Godfrey Ndalahwa.

Na mwandishi wetu Chalinze, Pwani

SERIKALI imeipongeza Benki ya Biashara ya DCB pamoja na Asasi ya Uyacode kwa kuanzisha ushirikiano uliowezesha uanzishwaji wa miradi ya kilimo, ufugaji, viwanda vidogovidogo kwa wanavicoba walio chini ya asasi hiyo. 

Akizungumza wakati wa uzinduzi rasmi wa miradi hiyo katika kijiji cha Malivundo katika wilaya ya Chalinze Mkoani Pwani jana, Naibu Waziri wa Fedha na Mipango Dk. Ashatu Kijaji alisema wengi wa wanufaika wa miradi hiyo ni wananchi wenye vipato vya chini na kati itakayowawezesha kuwainua kiuchumi na hatimaye kuchangia kwenye ukuaji wa uchumi wa kila mmoja wao na kwa Taifa kwa ujumla.   

Katika hotuba hiyo iliyosomwa kwa niaba yake na Katibu wa Baraza la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi, B. Beng’i Issa Naibu Waziri alisema Serikali ya Awamu ya Tano inayoongozwa na Rais Dk. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli kupitia Wizara ya Fedha ilifanya maboresho mbalimbali kwenye Sekta ya Fedha ikiwa ni pamoja na kutunga Sera ya Taifa ya Huduma Ndogo za Fedha ya Mwaka 2017 na baadae kufuatiwa na Sheria ya Huduma Ndogo za Fedha ya Mwaka 2018 pamoja na Kanuni zake za Mwaka 2019 kwa lengo la kuimarisha usimamizi wa taasisi zinazotoa huduma ndogo za fedha hivyo VICOBA vilitambuliwa kama taasisi rasmi zinazoruhusiwa kutoa huduma ndogo za fedha kwa wanachama wake. 

“Leo tukiwa tunazindua miradi hii ya Kilimo cha kisasa, Ufugaji wa kisasa na Viwanda vidogovidogo kwa Wanachama wa UYACODE inaonesha ni jinsi gani asasi hii ilivyoweza kutumia fursa zilizopo kutokana na Serikali yetu kuweka mazingira mazuri ya uwekezaji na biashara nchini.”

“Nichukue nafasi hii kuipongeza Benki ya Biashara ya DCB kwa kuingia makubaliano ya ushirikiano na UYACODE kwa ajili ya kutoa huduma za kibenki kwa wajasiriamali wadogo wadogo kwani fedha hizi za watanzania walioamua kupiga hatua za kujikwamua kiuchumi zinahitaji usalama mkubwa na huduma zenye masharti nafuu.”

“Ninafahamu Benki ya DCB inatoa mikopo kwa wajasiriamali wadogo wadogo hivyo naamini wanachama wa UYACODE watanufaika na huduma hii ya mikopo kwa ajili ya kukuza mitaji yao kwa gharama nafuu na hatimaye kuweza kujikwamua kiuchumi na nina imani ushirikiano huu kati ya DCB  na UYACODE utakuwa na faida za kiuchumi kwa pande zote mbili kwa maana ya wanachama wa UYACODE kwa upande mmoja na kwa  DCB kwa upande mwingine”, alisema Naibu Waziri Kijaji.  

Pamoja na hayo alisema serikali imechukua hatua mbalimbali kuhakikisha  wananchi  wanapata huduma za kifedha kwa gharama nafuu miongoni ikiwa ni pamoja na kupunguza kiwango cha riba kinachotozwa na Benki Kuu ya Tanzania kwa benki za biashara zinapokopa BoT kutoka asilimia 16 Mwaka 2016 hadi kufikia asilimia 5 Mwaka 2020 hivyo kuzitaka taasisi zote za kifedha na hasa benki za biashara ikiwemo DCB kujielekeza katika utoaji wa mikopo yenye riba na masharti nafuu kwa wananchi  hususan wakulima na wafugaji wadogo wadogo ambao kwa muda mrefu wamekuwa hawakopeshwi na mabenki.

Akizungumza katika hafla hiyo, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa DCB, Godfrey Ndalahwa alisema DCB wanaamini kutoa fursa zenye tija kwa wateja wao na kwa watanzania kwa ujumla wakijikita katika kutoa huduma na bidhaa za kimkakati zenye tija kwenye soko zinazotoa wigo mpana kwa wateja wao. 

Alisema Kwa miaka kadhaa DCB imewekeza kwa kiasi kikubwa katika huduma zinazowalenga wajasiriamali walio katika vikundi mbalimbali wakiwa na vikundi vya Vicoba zaidi ya 500, huduma ambazo zimeweza kubadilisha maisha na kukuza mitaji ya wengi ya wanavicoba hao. 

“Vikundi hivi vinanufaika na huduma bora za kibenki na zenye masharti nafuu za DCB kwa kupitia akaunti maalumu za Vicoba, baadhi ikiwemo masharti nafuu ya kufungua akaunti, masharti nafuu katika upatikanaji wa mikopo, masharti nafuu katika uendeshaji wa akaunti hizo na mengineyo."

“Tumefarijika sana kuona miradi hii ya kilimo cha kisasa, Ufugaji wa kisasa na Viwanda ikizinduliwa, hili ni jambo jema sana kwa wanachama wa UYACODE, tunawaahidi DCB tutakua bega kwa bega na wanachama wa UYACODE kuweza kulifanikisha hili”, alisema Bwana Ndalahwa.

Mkurugenzi huyo alisema anaamini ushiriano huo utakuwa chachu ya mafanikio ya kiuchumi kwa wanakikoba zaidi ya 10,000 wa UYACODE na kwa DCB. 

“Niwaahidi DCB itaendelea kuwa bega kwa bega katika kuunga mkono juhudi za serikali ya awamu ya tano ya Rais John Pombe Magufuli katika kuwaletea wananchi wake maendeleo ya kiuchumi katika kuboresha huduma zake na pia kuanzisha huduma zinazokidhi mahitaji halisi ya huduma za kibenki kwa watanzania”, aliongeza.

Naye Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Asasi ya Uyacode, Michael Mgawe ALISEMA Uyacode imekuwa ikipata mafanikia mbalimbali ikiwemo mshikamano na upendo miongoni mwa viongozi na wanachama miaka 18 hadi sasa, kutoa mafunzo imara kwa vikundi vya vicoba visivyovunjwa mwisho mwa mwaka, utoaji wa mikopo na kudhamini mikopo ya vikundi na wanavicoba mikopo ya magari, bajaji, pikipiki, mashine za kusaga na kukoba na pia kuweka mifumo mizuri ya makusanyo ya michango na marejesho ya mikopo katika vikundi vyao ikiwemo pia  mradi wa mafunzo ya vicoba katika mikoa mbalimbali 21 bara na visiwani  baada ya kupata kibali kutoka Wizara ya Tawala za Mikoa za Serikali za Mitaa (TAMISEMI).

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