Dar es Salaam. NCBA is on a course to bridge Tanzania’s financial inclusion gap by leveraging its digital assets to boost the bank’s operations and reach.
After recording impressive profits for the 2023 financial year, the local lender has officially launched its innovative mobile banking application, ‘NCBA Now’ to streamline access to financial services in the country.
Apart from recording over Sh20.16 billion of net profit last year, which represents a 157 percent growth rate, the bank also posted growth in customer deposits by 91.5 percent to Sh262.5 billion. Total assets grew by 14.5 percent to Sh515.5 billion.
The bank is now looking to cement and sustain its top performance by investing more in innovation and digital tools.
As a result, the new and improved mobile application is set to support its commitment to providing innovative banking solutions across East Africa and beyond.
According to the statement issued by the bank, it plans to expand this digital initiative with the upcoming launch in Uganda, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast.
NCBA Tanzania’s managing director, Mr Claver Serumaga, said the ‘NCBA Now app’ represents a revolutionary advancement in customer banking experiences, offering a comprehensive suite of features accessible anytime, anywhere.
“This app offers our customers full control over their finances, allowing them to monitor their accounts in real-time, manage their cards, and make transaction service requests of up to Sh5 million in value, all in one place,” he said.
Mr Serumaga said the app facilitates multiple fund transfers simultaneously, bill payments, and instant mobile wallet transactions, ensuring a seamless and secure banking experience.
The bank’s Group Managing Director, Mr John Gachora, said this launch is also part of the institution’s initiative towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sustainability and digital transformation.
“The bank has undertaken various initiatives contributing directly to the SDGs, such as climate action (SDG 13) through tree planting. Additionally, our digitization efforts, exemplified by the NCBA Now app, not only enhance customer experience but also advance SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by promoting technological innovation and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by reducing paper usage and promoting digital transactions,” he said.
When it comes to digital businesses, NCBA has been at the forefront with products such as M-Pawa, which is currently the second largest mobile lending platform in Tanzania and has played a significant role in banks financial results for 2023.
M-Pawa’s digital lending alone disbursed Sh100 billion worth of loans and attracted Sh25 billion in revenue.
According to the bank, the rollout of the NCBA Now app, which can be accessed through the App Store or Google Play Store, is envisioned to further propel NCBA’s 2024 financial results as it continues to redefine the banking experience and empower customers to achieve their financial goals with ease.
The bank’s MD, Mr Serumaga, added that NCBA is now opening doors into two key sectors, namely construction and tourism.
At the launch event, Treasury Registrar Mr Nehemiah Mchechu commended the bank for its innovation, transparency, and large customer base, which exceeds 60 million across all the countries where they operate.
He noted that all these customers will now have digital connectivity through the NCBA Now app, which simplifies banking services on mobile devices, thereby increasing financial accessibility for both urban and rural areas.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
