Dar es Salaam. The Kilimanjaro Cooperative Bank Limited (KCBL) emerged as the inaugural winner of the Tanzania’s Best Bankers award, thanks to its first-mover advantage into the adoption of the warehousing receipt system in the country.
The lender was named as such during the first bankers’ gala event for Tanzania Institute of Bankers (TIOB).
The event recognises the achievements in the banking industry.
“Across the years, we have had ups and downs in the sector, but we have weathered the times. KCBL’s story in the last few years is a remarkable example of the resilience and professional approach in problem solving in banking,” the TIOB executive director, Mr Patrick Mususa, said in a statement yesterday.
The event brought together the Bank of Tanzania, bankers from the industry, trainers and the sector’s professional partners who showcased the growth and the achievement of Tanzanian banks across the years.
“Our theme was celebrating 30 years of professional excellence. What better way to do this than unveiling the bankers’ awards that recognise what the banking sector has achieved so far,” said Mr Mususa.
“We will also have the prestigious ‘Tanzania’s Best Bankers’ Awards for the first time.”
KCBL has faced liquidity issues and in 2020, CRDB bank injected a total of Sh7 billion. The cooperative bank has since transformed from a loss-making entity to a profitable bank.
In 2021, KCBL made a pre-tax profit of Sh318 million and extended loans amounting to Sh4.7 billion while deposits rose to Sh5.5 billion.
“This success story is an indication that our banks can succeed. In fact, Tanzanian banks are in a very good state and are responding well to the shocks from the global financial markets,” Mr Mususa said.
The second prize winner overall was ABSA bank followed by Azania bank and the fourth place went to Equity bank.
Other categories of awards were the most conscientious bank award went to NMB bank and Azania bank, while KCBL bank also scooped the final round award for the Most Aggressive Bank.
The most cautious bank award was won by Stanbic bank (round one), while Equity bank won the same award in the final round. ABSA bank Tanzania swept the best bank presentation and came in the round one of the most aggressive banks that was won by KCBL.
“Competition among banks is healthy. We need a vibrant financial services sector that will offer a wide range of products that will match what the economy and consumers need,” Mr Mususa noted.
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Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.
Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.
Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
Source: allafrica.com
