Africa-Press – Tanzania. AFRICAN bankers have been urged to uphold responsible and ethical banking practices while placing sustainability at the core of their operations to minimise environmental harm and support local communities.
The call was made by the Governor of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), Mr Emmanuel Tutuba, whose speech was read on his behalf by the Principal of the Bank of Tanzania Academy during the official opening of the 22nd East African Banking School Conference held in Mwanza City.
Mr Tutuba said that the survival and continued relevance of financial institutions depend on their ability to adopt sustainable business models.
“Fulfilling this responsibility is critical to the survival and relevance of our institutions,” he said, aligning his message with the conference theme, “Leading Regional Banking Sectors Toward a Sustainability-Driven Future.”
He noted that the theme was timely, given the increasing frequency of economic and environmental shocks such as floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events, which threaten infrastructure and disrupt access to financial services across Africa.
Mr Tutuba also emphasised the importance of maintaining customer trust amid the ongoing transformation of the financial sector, noting that trust will be a key determinant of the resilience and future growth of financial institutions.
Commenting on the significance of the five-day conference, Mr Tutuba said it offers a crucial platform for professionals to gain knowledge and tools to align banking practices with sustainable development goals, environmental responsibility, and long-term economic stability.
“I trust that through your active participation in presentations and discussions, you will develop actionable strategies to place sustainability at the core of your institutions’ agendas,” he said.
Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr Said Mtanda, in a speech read on his behalf by the Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Balandya Elikana, praised the growing impact of mobile banking platforms in enhancing financial inclusion, especially in rural Tanzania.
He noted that advancements in mobile technology have empowered millions of Tanzanians to save, send and receive money, and access credit using their mobile phones, enabling greater participation in the economy.
Mr Mtanda added that the conference, which brought together banking and financial professionals from across East Africa, provides an excellent opportunity for knowledge sharing, professional development, and fostering partnerships to support sustainable economic growth.
“This forum reflects how the banking sector can further drive sustainable business growth, create jobs and enhance productivity across our countries,” he said.
He said that the banking sector plays an indispensable role in economic development by mobilising deposits and issuing credit to individuals, businesses, and governments, thereby facilitating infrastructure development and economic expansion.
Commenting on Mwanza’s economic potential, Mr Mtanda said the region is rich in raw materials that present investment opportunities, particularly in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.
“There is great potential for industries focused on animal and fish feed production, fish cages, and fertiliser manufacturing,” he said, adding that Mwanza also serves as a commercial gateway to neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tanzania Institute of Bankers Chief Executive Officer Mr Patrick Msusa said the conference aims to unite banking leaders and financial experts from Eastern and Southern Africa to share experiences and best practices on key sector issues such as sustainability and good governance.
“The goal is to explore how we can align financial services with the future needs of our societies while ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth,” he said.
Tanzania Bankers Association (TBA), Chief Executive Officer Ms Tusekelege Joune, said a key focus of the conference is promoting women’s economic empowerment.
“Banks, in collaboration with partners, have developed tailored products to support women entrepreneurs and SMEs, ensuring they have access to the financial tools they need to grow,” she explained.
The conference is expected to run for five days, bringing together key stakeholders from the banking and financial services sector across the region to deliberate on shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for Africa’s banking industry
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