RC SERUKAMBA AWATAKA WARATIBU KUONGEZA BIDII UTOAJI ELIMU YA VVU

Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Singida, Peter Serukamba akizungumza na waratibu wa UKIMWI wa Wizara,Mikoa na Halmashauri wakati wa kikao cha usambazaji wa taarifa ya mapitio ya fedha za UKIMWI kwenye sekta za umma na sekta binafsi ya mwaka 2022. Kutoka kulia ni Mkurugenzi wa fedha na Utawala wa TACAIDS, Yasin Abasi na kushoto ni Mratibu wa UKIMWI Mkoa wa Singida, Patrick Kasango.

Na Mwandishi Wetu, Singida

MKUU wa Mkoa wa Singida, Peter Serukamba amewaagiza waratibu wa UKIMWI nchini kuzungumza na jamii kwa uwazi kuhusu mabadiliko ya tabia katika kujikinga na maambukizi ya VVU ifikapo 2030 kuwe na Tanzania isiyokuwa na UKIMWI.

Akizungumza leo Februari 20,2023 wakati wa uzinduzi wa usambazaji wa taarifa ya mapitio ya fedha za UKIMWI kwenye sekta za umma na sekta binafsi ya mwaka 2022 iliyofanyika mwishoni mwa mwaka jana aalisema iwapo jamii itaelewa vizuri na ikakubali kubadili tabia Tanzania itafikia malengo ya Dunia ya 2030 ya kumaliza UKIMWI.

Serukamba alisema kuwa Serikali imekua ikipambana kudhibiti maambukizi ya VVU pamoja na madhara yake kwa zaidi ya miaka thelathini, ambapo kwa kiasi kikubwa mapambano haya yanategemea fedha kwa ajili ya utekelezaji wa afua za UKIMWi,ambapo amefafanua kuwa kwa mahitaji kwa mwaka ni takribani Sh. Trilini 1.3.

Aidha, aliongeza kuwa utekelezaji wa afua za VVU na UKIMWI umekua ukipata fedha kutoka kwenye vyanzo mbalimbali hivyo ni muhimu kufanya mapitio ya fedha zinazotumika kwenye afua hizo ili kubaini mchango wa taasisi za sekta ya umma na mchango wa taasisi za sekta binafsi ikiwa ni pamoja na kutambua Maeneo ambayo mchango huo unapelekwa kulingana na afua za VVU na UKIMWI lakini muhimu zaidi kutambua upungufu uliopo wa fedha katika kutekeleza afua za VVU na UKIMWI hapa ili Kuhakikisha utekelezaji wenye tija kwa Taifa, Jamii na mtu mmoja mmoja.

Akifafanua umuhimu wa kufanyika kwa zoezi la Mapitio ya Fedha za UKIMWI kwenye Sekta ya Umma na Binafsi (Public and Private Expenditure Review) ni kuwa zinaisaidia serikali kufahamu kiwango cha matumizi ya fedha za UKIMWI kinachopangwa na Sekta ya Umma na Binafsi.

Pia kufahamu maeneo ambayo fedha hizo zinaelekezwa, kujua kiwango cha utekelezaji wa afua za VVU na UKIMWI ili kubaini mchango wa sekta ya umma na binafsi katika mapambano dhidi ya VVU na UKIMWI. Aidha, mapitio ya fedha za UKIMWI husaidia kubaini changamoto katika utekelezaji wa afua za VVU na UKIMWI nchini na kuweka mikakati ya kuzitatua.

Serukamba ameyataja mafanikio ya mafanikio yaliyotakana na zoezi hilo kuwa ni pamoja na kuboresha ugawaji wa rasilimali fedha za UKIMWI kulingana na afua zinazotekelezwa hapa nchini, kuimarisha mikakati ya kuhamasisha sekta binafsi na sekta za umma kupanga na kutekeleza shughuli za VVU na UKIMWI kwenye maeneo yao pamoja na kukuza mchango wa sekta ya umma na sekta binafsi katika mapambano dhidi ya VVU na UKIMWI hapa nchini.

Mkurugenzi wa Fedha na Utawala wa TACAIDS, Yasini Abasi alisema kuwa uhitaji wa fedha za UKIMWI bado ni mkubwa kwani kwa sasa wafadhili wanaendelea kupungua na hivyo kuitaka jamii kuendelea kuchangia mfuko wa udhamini wa kudhibiti UKIMWI ili hata pale itakapo tokea waansitisha basi Mfuko uwe na fedha za kutosha kwa ajili ya huduma za UKIMWI.

Kikao hicho kiliwashirikisha waratibu wa UKIMWI kutoka baadhi ya Wizarani,Halmashauri na Mikoa.

Waratibu wa UKIMWI kutoka Wizarani, Halmashauri na Mikoa walioshiriki Kikao cha usambazaji wa taarifa ya mapitio ya fedha za UKIMWI kwenye sekta za umma na sekta binafsi ya mwaka 2022 kilichoandaliwa na Tume ya kudhibiti UKIMWI Tanzania (TACAIDS) wakiwa katika kikaohicho.

Mkuu wa MKoa wa Singida Peter Serukamba (aliyekaa katikati) akiwa katika picha ya pamoja na Wawezeshaji wa zoezi la kukusanya taarifa za fedha za UKIMWI kwenye sekta ya umma na sekta binafsi pamoja na waratibu wa UKIMWI (aliyekaa kulia kwake) ni Mkurugenzi wa fedha na Utawala wa TACAIDS, Yasin Abasi na kushoto ni Mratibu wa wa UKIMWI MKoa wa Singida, Patrick Kasengo. Picha hii imepigwa mara baada ya uzinduzi wa kikao cha usambazaji wa taarifa ya mapitio ya fedha za UKIMWI kwenye sekta za umma na sekta binafsi ya mwaka 2022.

Mkuu wa MKoa wa Singida, Peter Serukamba ambaye alikuwa mgeni rasmi (katikati waliokaa) akiwa katika picha ya pamoja na waratibu wa UKIMWI kutoka wizarani na baadhi ya Waratibu wa Halmashauri nchini mara baada ya ufunguzi wa kikao cha uzinduzi wa kikao cha usambazaji wa taarifa ya mapitio ya fedha za UKIMWI kwenye sekta za umma na sekta binafsi ya mwaka 2022 kilichofanyika leo Februari 20,2023 mkoani Singida. Kulia kwake Mkurugenzi wa Fedha na Utawala wa TACAIDS, Yasin Abasi na kushoto ni Mratibu wa UKIMWI Mkoa wa Singida, Patrick Kasango.

Mkuu wa MKoa wa Singida, Peter Serukamba ambaye alikuwa mgeni rasmi akiwa katika picha ya pamoja na waratibu wa UKIMWI kutoka wizarani na baadhi ya Waratibu wa Halmashauri nchini mara baada ya ufunguzi wa kikao cha uzinduzi wa kikao cha usambazaji wa taarifa ya mapitio ya fedha za UKIMWI kwenye sekta za umma na sekta binafsi ya mwaka 2022 kilichofanyika leo Februari 20,2023 mkoani Singida. Kulia kwake ni Mkurugenzi wa Fedha na Utawala wa TACAIDS, Yasin Abasi na kushoto ni Mratibu wa UKIMWI Mkoa wa Singida, Patrick Kasango.

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Absa unveils revised mortgage version friendlier to prospective home-owners

Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements, Dr. Angeline Mabula (centre), is accompanied by (from the left) National Housing Corporation Managing Director, Nehemiah Mchechu, Absa Bank Tanzania Head of Retail Banking, Ndabu Lilian Swere and Absa's Managing Director, Abdi Mohamed during the launch of the bank’s revamped mortgage proposition in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

By Our Reporter, Dar es Salaam

Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Dr. Angeline Mabula has commended Absa Bank Tanzania, for entering into the pre-sale mortgage market segment that offer space.

The minister gave the thumbs-up during the launch of Absa's revamped mortgage proposition that was held simultaneously with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the bank and the National Housing Corporation (NHC) in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

The minister said the move will help to address the challenge of availability of quality housing units in the country, noting that land investment was crucial as it has been playing a key role in improving the country’s income, thus contributing heavily to its development.

“The government introduced mortgage financing company way back in 2010 to spearhead housing construction in the country and speed up development,” said Dr..Mabula.

She added, “The president’s vision is to see that the private sector partners with the government so that a lot more Tanzanians own houses.”

According to the 2022 Housing Population Census, at least 390,000 housing units were needed annually to meet the country’s housing demand.

The minister noted that there was need for the public and private sectors to borrow modern technologies to speed up housing construction in the country.

On his part, Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director, Abdi Mohamed, said the bank will be partnering with an Insurance Service Provider through the Collateral Replacement Indemnity (CRI) to offer 100 per cent mortgage towards a property purchase facility to make the product even more affordable.

The move, he said, means that customers will not be required to deposit any down-payment.

“Our flexibility in credit assessments also means that our customers will be able to include any verifiable additional incomes to be added into their disposable monthly income as a basis for the bank to determine loan amount eligibility,” said the Absa CEO..

The launched mortgage proposition has enhanced features, making it one of the most attractive mortgage propositions in the country.

Absa embarked on a journey to revamp its mortgage proposition in 2021 to ensure that the improved version meets and exceed current and anticipated customer needs, turning it from a standardized loan product into a home ownership solution for all Tanzanians.

Among the key improvements are reduction of the costs associated with the product to make it more affordable, by trimming down the required down-payment towards house purchase from 20 per cent to 10 per cent.

The bank has also enhanced the revision of the maximum loan size which has been revised upward from Sh500 million to Sh1 billion.

This change removes the loan size limitations for customers, enabling those with higher incomes to be able to purchase high-end house units that they previously would have not been able to.

Mr. Mohamed said to address the challenge of unavailability of quality affordable houses on sale, the bank has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with reputable property developers to finance the individual purchase of housing units sold by these developers on a pre-sale basis

“We know that everyone wants to own a house as it is a basic need for every person. A lot of people use savings to build their own houses which takes up to ten years,” he said.

According to the MD the bank’s aspirations is that one can own a house as the bank has partnered with the National Housing Corporation and set up a one-stop shop covering all aspects of buying, building and renovating of houses.

The bank has also expanded its market base locally to accommodate other regions outside of Dar es Salaam that were previously not served with mortgage, meaning that customers in all regions where Absa is present (Dar es salaam, Arusha, Moshi, Mwanza, Mbeya, Tanga, Morogoro, Dodoma, Iringa, and Zanzibar) will be able to apply for Absa Mortgage.

The bank has also opened up its mortgage solution to the Diaspora, through its “Diaspora Mortgage”, which will offer home loan solutions to Tanzanians residing overseas wishing to invest in real estate back home.

Commenting on the cooperation, NHC’s Managing Director Nehemia Mchechu said NHC was partnering with 20 banks in construction of houses, targeting the middle and low income earners.

Mchechu said NHC will ensure that all its projects are within the Central Business District (CBD) of respective urban settlements to ease transport logistics to home owners.

Absa Bank Tanzania Limited is one of Tanzania’s leading financial institutions offering an integrated set of products and services across Corporate and Investment Banking, Business Banking with solutions for SMEs, and Retail Banking.

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VODACOM MAINTAINS MARKET LEAD, TTCL STRUGGLES

Vodacom has maintained the lead as the largest mobile network operator in Tanzania as the state-owned TTCL lost hundreds of thousands of customers in the first and second quarters of the current financial year, recently published Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) statistics shows.

The statistics show the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) listed Vodacom controls 30 per cent of the Tanzania market with a subscriber base of 18 million in the quarter ending December last year.

It is followed by Airtel, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel of India, as the second-largest mobile network operator with 28 per cent of the market share from 16.6 customers.

MIC Tanzania Limited operating as Tigo follows with 26 per cent and 15.9 subscribers as of December last year.

The fourth largest operator is Viettel Tanzania trading as Halotel, which commands 13 per cent of the market share and 8.0 million subscribers followed by state-owned TTCL with three per cent and 1.5 million customers and Smile with 0.03 per cent from 15,547 customers.

Despite the increase in subscriptions, TTCL lost about 5,623 subscriptions in the quarter ending December.

The state-owned operator had lost 282,101 customers in the quarter ending September from 1,783,301 customers in June to 1,501,200 customers in September.

There is no operator with a significant market share in terms of subscriptions, which signifies that there is healthy competition among the operators in retaining consumers and recruiting new consumers.

The second quarter of 2022/2023 has experienced a significant increase in subscriptions which reached 2.2 million from 1.9 million in the first quarter, according to the data.

Total subscriptions have increased by 4 per cent from 58.1 million subscriptions, in September 2022 to 60.3 million as of December 2022.

TCRA says the reason behind such an increase may be associated with end of year festivals whereby many people like to communicate with families and friends around the world hence demanding new SIM cards.

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Wateja wa Benki ya Absa kununua nyumba za Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa kupitia mkopo wake ulioboreshwa

Waziri wa Ardhi, Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi, Dk. Angeline Mabula (katikati), Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa, Nehemia Mchechu (kushoto), na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya Absa Tanzania, Abdi Mohamed wafurahi katika hafla ya utiaji saini makubaliano yatakayowawezesha wateja wa Absa kununua nyumba za NHC kwa mkopo. Ilikuwa ni katika hafla ya uzinduzi wa Huduma ya Mkopo wa nyumba ulioboreshwa wa Absa jijini Dar es Salaam mwishoni mwa wiki.

Waziri wa Ardhi, Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi, Dk. Angeline Mabula (kushoto) na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya Absa Tanzania, Abdi Mohamed (kulia), wakiangalia wakati Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa (NHC), Nehemia Mchechu (katikati) akisaini makubaliano yatakayowawezesha wateja wa Benki ya Absa kununua nyumba za NHC kwa mkopo. Ilikuwa ni wakati wa uzinduzi wa Huduma ya Mkopo wa nyumba ulioboreshwa wa Absa jijini Dar es Salaam hivi karibuni.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya Absa Tanzania, Abdi Mohamed (kulia), akizungumza katika hafla hiyo jijini Dar es Salaam juzi.

Waziri wa Ardhi, Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi, Dk. Angeline Mabula (kushoto) na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa, Nehemia Mchechu (kulia), wakiangalia wakati Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya Absa Tanzania, Abdi Mohamed akisaini makubaliano yatakayowawezesha wateja wa benki hiyo kununua nyumba za NHC kwa mkopo kutoka benki hiyo. Ilikuwa ni wakati wa uzinduzi wa Huduma ya Mkopo wa nyumba ulioboreshwa wa Absa jijini Dar es Salaam mwishoni mwa wiki.

Baadhi ya maofisa wa Benki ya Absa pamoja na wahudhuriaji wengine wakiwa katika hafla ya uzinduzi wa mkopo wa nyumba ulioboreshwa wa Benki ya Absa katika hafla iliyofanyika pamoja na utiaji saini makubaliano yatakayowezesha wateja wa Absa kununua nyumba za Shirika la Nyumba la Taifa (NHC) kwa mkopo.

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PLAYERS SALUTE GOVERNMENT ON VAT EXEMPTION EXTENSION ON AIR CHARTER SERVICES

  

The government is mulling over prolonging value added tax (VAT) exemption on “Air Charter Services” for the next four years in its latest goodwill to spur aviation and tourism industries.

Once it goes through the Parliament, VAT exemption on “Air Charter Services” will stay through to June 30, 2026, offering a ray of hope to the aviation and tourism players to grow business and leapfrog other economic sectors.

Aviation and tourism are inherently interrelated, as tourism depends on aviation to bring in visitors, and aviation banks on tourism to generate demand and fill seats.

The Tanzania Air Operators Association (TAOA) board Chairman, Captain Maynard Mkumbwa has, on behalf of the aviation industry, overwhelmingly praised the measure of extending the VAT tax relief, expressing the aviation industry appreciations to the government with the considerate President Samia Suluhu Hassan, at the helm.

TAOA is the member base association that aims at fostering legal and responsible development of the aviation industry by ensuring safety, efficiency, regularity and economic operations.

It provides a common platform for the promotion of best practices and it engages in effective advocacy with the government through responsible authorities.

The association provides a range of services to its members such as taking part in policy formulation and reforms; providing access to relevant industrial information on travel, tour and tourism; and coordinating partnerships and business linkages between members and relevant players in the national economy.

“My thanks have no boundary going to our considerate government under the President, Samia Suluhu Hassan. The reinstatement of VAT on air charter services was essentially shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Captain Mkumbwa who is also the Managing Director of Coastal Aviation.

Traditionally, air charter services were treated as exempt supplies as provided under both the VAT Act, 2014, and 1997, respectively. However, the Finance Act, 2022, provided for this exemption to end with effect from 31st December 2022, in a move to expand the VAT base.

As it happened, the Finance Act, 2022, amendment was squarely challenged by the aviation players through their high-profile association – TAOA, citing an immediate decline in advance bookings and its consequent negative impact on the tourism industry as vivid examples of ripple effects of the removal of the exemption.

TAOA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Lathifa Sykes, said the move to remove VAT exemption was counterproductive to President Samia’s initiative through her recently launched Tanzania The Royal Tour Film to promote tourism industry and investment.

The Tanzania Royal Tour film is part of Dr Samia’s ambitious commitment to achieve one of the pledges of the ruling CCM’s 2020-2025 General Election manifesto to spur the tourism industry for it to create meaningful employment and leapfrog other economic sectors.

Indeed, the CCM manifesto clearly stipulates that tourism will attract five million tourists who will leave behind nearly 6.6 billion US dollars by 2025 with expected massive multiplier effects to a critical mass of common folks in Tanzania, particularly women and youths.

“The removal of VAT exemption on air charter services was countering what President Dr Samia and the ruling party is preaching. Aviation industry has been VAT exempt for years for a reason,” the TAOA CEO noted.

TAOA Vice-Chairman Mr Mrisho Yassin said the decision would go a long way in driving the two intertwined industries of aviation and tourism to a great height.

A Bill supplement issued on 20th January 2023, proposes to extend the VAT exemption on the supply of air charter services to 30th June 2026, implying to repeal the removal of the amnesty on 30th December 2022.

Part IX proposes to amend the VAT Act, Cap 148, whereby item 22 of the schedule is amended so as to extend the VAT exemption on air charter services in order to facilitate growth trajectory in the tourism industry.

The Bill Supplement (“the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023”) proposes to reinstate the exemption and postpone its removal until 1st July 2026.

This implies that it has been recognised that the proposed removal of the exemption would have serious negative implications on the tourism industry.

Tourism is Tanzania’s largest foreign exchange earner, contributing an average of $2.6 billion annually, which is equivalent to 25 per cent of all exchange earnings, the government’s data indicate.

Tourism also contributes to more than 17 per cent of the national gross domestic product (GPD), creating over 1.5 million jobs.

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PLAYERS SALUTE GOVERNMENT ON VAT EXEMPTION EXTENSION ON AIR CHARTER SERVICES

 

The government is mulling over prolonging value added tax (VAT) exemption on “Air Charter Services” for the next four years in its latest goodwill to spur aviation and tourism industries.

Once it goes through the Parliament, VAT exemption on “Air Charter Services” will stay through to June 30, 2026, offering a ray of hope to the aviation and tourism players to grow business and leapfrog other economic sectors.

Aviation and tourism are inherently interrelated, as tourism depends on aviation to bring in visitors, and aviation banks on tourism to generate demand and fill seats.

The Tanzania Air Operators Association (TAOA) board Chairman, Captain Maynard Mkumbwa has, on behalf of the aviation industry, overwhelmingly praised the measure of extending the VAT tax relief, expressing the aviation industry appreciations to the government with the considerate President Samia Suluhu Hassan, at the helm.

TAOA is the member base association that aims at fostering legal and responsible development of the aviation industry by ensuring safety, efficiency, regularity and economic operations.

It provides a common platform for the promotion of best practices and it engages in effective advocacy with the government through responsible authorities.

The association provides a range of services to its members such as taking part in policy formulation and reforms; providing access to relevant industrial information on travel, tour and tourism; and coordinating partnerships and business linkages between members and relevant players in the national economy.

“My thanks have no boundary going to our considerate government under the President, Samia Suluhu Hassan. The reinstatement of VAT on air charter services was essentially shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Captain Mkumbwa who is also the Managing Director of Coastal Aviation.

Traditionally, air charter services were treated as exempt supplies as provided under both the VAT Act, 2014, and 1997, respectively. However, the Finance Act, 2022, provided for this exemption to end with effect from 31st December 2022, in a move to expand the VAT base.

As it happened, the Finance Act, 2022, amendment was squarely challenged by the aviation players through their high-profile association – TAOA, citing an immediate decline in advance bookings and its consequent negative impact on the tourism industry as vivid examples of ripple effects of the removal of the exemption.

TAOA Chief Executive Officer, Ms Lathifa Sykes, said the move to remove VAT exemption was counterproductive to President Samia’s initiative through her recently launched Tanzania The Royal Tour Film to promote tourism industry and investment.

The Tanzania Royal Tour film is part of Dr Samia’s ambitious commitment to achieve one of the pledges of the ruling CCM’s 2020-2025 General Election manifesto to spur the tourism industry for it to create meaningful employment and leapfrog other economic sectors.

Indeed, the CCM manifesto clearly stipulates that tourism will attract five million tourists who will leave behind nearly 6.6 billion US dollars by 2025 with expected massive multiplier effects to a critical mass of common folks in Tanzania, particularly women and youths.

“The removal of VAT exemption on air charter services was countering what President Dr Samia and the ruling party is preaching. Aviation industry has been VAT exempt for years for a reason,” the TAOA CEO noted.

TAOA Vice-Chairman Mr Mrisho Yassin said the decision would go a long way in driving the two intertwined industries of aviation and tourism to a great height.

A Bill supplement issued on 20th January 2023, proposes to extend the VAT exemption on the supply of air charter services to 30th June 2026, implying to repeal the removal of the amnesty on 30th December 2022.

Part IX proposes to amend the VAT Act, Cap 148, whereby item 22 of the schedule is amended so as to extend the VAT exemption on air charter services in order to facilitate growth trajectory in the tourism industry.

The Bill Supplement (“the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023”) proposes to reinstate the exemption and postpone its removal until 1st July 2026.

This implies that it has been recognised that the proposed removal of the exemption would have serious negative implications on the tourism industry.

Tourism is Tanzania’s largest foreign exchange earner, contributing an average of $2.6 billion annually, which is equivalent to 25 per cent of all exchange earnings, the government’s data indicate.

Tourism also contributes to more than 17 per cent of the national gross domestic product (GPD), creating over 1.5 million jobs.

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ABSA LAUNCHES AMBITIOUS GRADUATE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME

Absa Bank Tanzania Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations, Aron Luhanga (left), addresses the press during the launch of Absa's graduate engagement program in Dar es Salaam today. Looking on to his left are Absa Director of People and Culture (HR), Patrick Foya, bank’s Director of Finance, Obedi Laiser and Empower Marketing and Communications Manager, Joanna Mallya.

By Our Reporter, Dar es Salaam

Absa Bank Tanzania Limited has announced the launch of its “Leaders in the Making” Graduate Engagement Program, an ambitious leadership development enterprise designed to foster the next generation of Absa leaders from a pool of recent university graduates.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Obedi Laiser, Director of Finance at Absa Bank Tanzania, said : “The aim of this programme is to take fresh university graduates, provide them with quality job opportunities and nurture the into becoming future corporate leaders who will have great impact in our organization and the banking industry in Tanzania.”

A twelve-month well-structured management trainee drill, “Leaders in the Making” targets those who graduated between 2020-2023.

The Absa executive added: “Our young generation faces a rapidly changing world and many challenges in finding work opportunities. And so, two of our top priorities are to help young people prepare for the working world of tomorrow and to offer them quality jobs that will bring their possibilities to life. Thus, this programme ensures that as a local bank and a good corporate citizen, we live up to our commitment of addressing youth unemployment and skills development for the country.”

The bank has been running a similar Graduate Trainee Program since 2013, which has proved to be a resounding success in producing local leaders who have since ascended the corporate ranks to occupy senior leadership positions within Absa and other financial institutions in the country.

For the 2023 edition, Absa has hired Empower Limited as the implementing partner.

The choice, according to Absa, is based on the bank’s trust on Empower’s expertise and commitment to youth development, their unique understanding of the labour market and the competencies of the future, and their close relationship with the country’s largest tertiary academic institutions, makes them the right partners for such an undertaking.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Patrick Foya, the Director of People Function, said: “This partnership will ensure that the programme remains relevant in this dynamic market and that it pushes the candidates to fulfill their optimum potential and be ready for future leadership roles in the corporate world.”

The Programme will offer participants a 12-month immersive learning experience featuring leadership exposure, digital master-classes, mentorship and coaching, innovation challenges, book clubs, 21st century skills workshops, a play-to-win retreat, research & market analysis, inspirational sessions, and practical exposure to various areas of the bank’s operations.

Upon completing the programme, Absa expects participants to possess comprehensive understanding of the corporate world and at the same time be well-equipped to assume leadership functions within the bank and beyond.

In addition to targeting candidates who have graduated from university between 2020-2023, the initiative is open to those to join Absa as soon as April 2023 and remain with the bank for the entire duration of the programme. Application for the programme is open and interested

candidates can visit Empower website (accessible via www.empower.co.tz) and search for “Leaders in The Making” to apply before 26 February 2023.

In his concluding remarks, Laiser said: “I urged all fresh graduates to grab this opportunity with both hands and apply before the set deadline – the initiative promises an exciting and innovative career journey at Absa for all participants. Absa bank assures everyone that the recruitment process will be fair and transparent, owing to the bank’s commitment to being a force for good in the community.”

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DCB YAPONGEZWA KWA MCHANGO WAKE KUINUA SEKTA YA FEDHA NCHINI

Gavana wa Benki Kuu ya Tanzania (BoT), Bwana Emmanuel Tutuba (wa pili kulia), akikabidhi tuzo kwa Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya DCB, Bwana Isidori Msaki, kwa kutambua mchango wa benki hiyo katika kufanikisha maendeleo ya sekta ya fedha nchini. Hafla hiyo ilifanyika pamoja na sherehe za kumuaga gavana aliyemaliza muda wake. Prof. florens Luoga (kushoto) na kumkaribisha gavana huyo mpya zilizoandaliwa na Umoja wa Mabenki Tanzania (TBA), mjini Dar es Salaam hivi karibuni. Kulia ni Mwenyekiti wa TBA, Theobald Sabi.

Gavana wa Benki Kuu ya Tanzania (BoT), Bwana Emmanuel Tutuba (kulia), akikabidhi tuzo kwa Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya DCB, Bwana Isidori Msaki, kwa kutambua mchango wake binafsi katika kufanikisha maendeleo ya sekta ya fedha nchini. Hafla hiyo ilifanyika pamoja na sherehe za kumuaga gavana aliyemaliza muda wake. Prof. florens Luoga (wa pili kushoto) na kumkaribisha gavana mpya Bwana Tutuba, zilizoandaliwa na Umoja wa Mabenki Tanzania (TBA), mjini Dar es Salaam hivi karibuni. Kushoto ni Mwenyekiti wa TBA, Bwana Theobald Sabi.

BENKI ya Biashara ya DCB imepongezwa kwa mchango wake unaoendelea kuchangia maendekeo ya sekta ya fedha nchini.

Hayo yamebainika katika hafla iliyoandaliwa na Umoja wa Mabenki Tanzania (TBA) katika hafla waliyoiandaa kuzipongeza taasisi za fedha pamoja na kumuaga gavana wa zamani wa Benki kuu ya Tanzania (BoT), Prof. Florens Luoga na kumkaribisha Gavana mpya, Bwana Emmanuel Tutuba.

Katika hafla hiyo iliyofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam, Taasisi ya TBA ilikabidhi tuzo mbalimbali kwa benki washirika pamoja na benki ya DCB ikiwa ni ishara ya kutambua mchango wa taasisi hizo katika Kuhakikisha sekta ya fedha nchini inapiga hatua sawa na malengo ya serikali ya awamu ya sita katika Kuhakikisha watu wengi zaidi wanafikiwa na huduma za kibenki.

Akizungumzia tuzo hizo Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa DCB, Bwana Isidori Msaki aliishukuru TBA kwa kutambua mchango wa benki ya DCB na kwake binafsi akisema wanazichukulia tuzo hizo kama deni kwao kwa TBA na kwa wateja wao katika kuhakikisha DCB inaendelea kuwa suluhisho pale watanzania wanapohitaji huduma bora za kibenki.

“Mimi binafsi pamoja na benki yetu tunaona fahari kubwa kupewa tuzo hizi tukizipa umuhimu mkubwa na kuzidi kutuhamasisha kufanya vizuri zaidi katika kuboresha huduma zetu za kibenki ili ziweze kuleta tija na manufaa kwa wateja wetu, wadau na kwa watanzania wote."

“Benki ya DCB itaendelea kuboresha huduma zake na kuongeza bidhaa mpya sokoni zinazokidhi mahitaji ya wateja wetu, natoa wito kwa watanzania kutumia huduma zetu bora za kibenki na hawatajutia”, alisema Bwana Msaki.

Hii si mara ya kwanza kwa DCB kupewa tuzo ama kutambuliwa kwa mchango wake katika kutoa huduma bora ama kuchangia maendeleo ya sekta za kibenki.

Mwishoni mwa mwaka uliopita, DCB ilitwaa tuzo ya utoaji Huduma Bora za kibenki kwa wateja na pia ilishinda tuzo ya uwasilishaji Bora wa mahesabu zinazotolewa kila mwaka na Bodi ya Taifa ya Wahasibu na Wakaguzi wa Mahesabu (NBAA)

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Mid-Sized Bank records profits growth in 2022 as assets base grows exponentially for DCB Commercial Bank Plc

Dar es Salaam, Febtuari 1, 2023. DCB Commercial Bank Plc has registered a sizable growth in its profit during the financial year 2022, accompanied by an impressive expansion of the asset base as the bank’s deposit also swelled considerably.

The bank recorded a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of TZS 2.25 billion, ahead of the previous year’s comparative PBT of TZS 1.06 billion, translating to a growth of 112%. This growth resulted from an 11% growth in total income, attributed to increasing interest income which grew by 4% to TZS 28.61 billion (2021: TZS 27.62 billion) and non-interest income which increased by 45% year on year (YoY) from TZS 7.2 billion to TZS 10.4 billion in 2022.

“The bank grew its non-funded income during the year, focusing on trade financing activities, foreign exchange business, and increased transactional fees due to the enhanced features and increased usage of digital banking platforms,” said DCB Acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr. Siriaki Surumbu.

The bank solidified its position as a mid-sized bank seeing its balance sheet position surpass the TZS 200 billion mark, with its total assets reaching TZS 214 billion in 2022. This is a 61% growth over the past five years, stemming from the 2018 asset base valued at TZS 133 billion.

Gross loan book of the bank closed at TZS 130.36 billion in 2022, being 4% growth year-on-year from TZS 125 billion in 2021. Its investment in government securities grew by 44% to reach TZS 41 billion from TZS 28 billion in 2021. The bank’s deposits grew by 11% from TZS 150 billion in 2021 to TZS 165 billion in 2022, a product of the bank’s calculated efforts to grow its customer base.

“During the year, the bank celebrated several awards, shining during the Consumer Choice Awards Africa to emerge winner in the Most Preferred Bank in Customer Service. The bank also won the Best Presented Financial Statements Award NBAA, in the mid-sized bank chapter, the fifth successive win,” said DCB Managing Director Mr. Isidori Msaki.

“The awards were a great cause for celebration as we marked our 20th anniversary of operations in 2022. DCB continues to celebrate excellence as we look forward to 2023.”

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