Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has intensified nationwide financial education and awareness programmes as part of broader efforts to empower citizens to make informed financial decisions and increase the use of formal financial services.
Speaking during the opening of the National Financial Services Week in Tanga, the Director of Financial Deepening and Inclusion, Mr Kennedy Komba, said limited financial literacy remains a major barrier to full financial inclusion, prompting authorities to scale up coordinated education initiatives targeting students and the general public.
Delivering a statement on behalf of BoT Governor, Mr Emmanuel Tutuba, Mr Komba said the programmes are being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, higher learning institutions, financial sector regulators and service providers.
He explained that the initiatives cover learners from primary school to university level, as well as citizens outside the formal education system, with a strong focus on budgeting, savings, responsible borrowing and consumer rights.
By December 2025, BoT had entered into agreements with 13 higher learning institutions to accredit 1,167 financial education trainers, who are currently conducting public outreach through schools, community forums, media platforms and digital channels.
To strengthen consumer protection and transparency, the central bank has also introduced practical tools to help the public better understand the costs and conditions of financial products. These include complaints-handling systems through SEMA and BoT platforms, a price comparison portal, and a loan cost calculator designed to guide borrowers before taking credit.
In addition, BoT has established an industry self-regulation framework for Tier II microfinance institutions aimed at improving service standards and ensuring compliance with financial laws.
Mr Komba noted that the financial education campaign is aligned with the National Financial Inclusion Strategic Framework (2023–2028) and the Financial Sector Development Master Plan (2020–2030), which prioritise awareness, transparency and access to affordable financial services.
The National Financial Services Week was officially opened by the Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr Laurent Luswetula, on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar. The event is being used as a platform to promote financial literacy as a foundation for inclusive economic growth and household financial resilience.
