Unguja. The Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA) has launched a digital system for issuing loans to special groups, aimed at addressing concerns over delays and loan repayment processes.
The system, set to officially commence operations on April 15, 2025, will eliminate the need for traditional loan application methods, with expectation to enhance transparency, speed, and security in loan disbursement.
Speaking at the launching event on Thursday April 3, 2025, the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Labour, Economy, and Investment, Shariff Ali Shariff, described the initiative as a significant step towards ensuring that special group entrepreneurs—including women, youth, and persons with disabilities—access financial services with ease.
He emphasised that the digital platform will provide swift feedback to loan applicants, facilitate secure fund disbursement, and simplify repayment without requiring beneficiaries to visit loan offices in person.
“With loan applications and processing now conducted online, applicants will receive timely responses, enabling them to start or expand their businesses without unnecessary delays,” he said.
He assured that the platform guarantees a high level of financial security, as loan repayments will be conducted digitally via the Tanzania Commercial Bank (TCB), minimising the risk of fund mismanagement or fraud.
“The system ensures that funds reach the intended beneficiaries securely and transparently,” he said.
Additionally, the platform provides an avenue for loan applicants to track their applications online, eliminating uncertainty and ensuring they are informed at every stage of the process.
“The system has been designed to be accessible to all eligible applicants of the loan scheme, without discrimination. It is user-friendly and can be easily utilised by women, youth, and persons with disabilities,” Mr Shariff added.
Since September last year, a total of Sh965 million has been disbursed to 123 entrepreneurial groups comprising 1,054 individuals, including 899 women and 155 men. Among these groups, 80 belong to women, 30 to youth, and 13 to persons with disabilities, according to Mr Shariff.
Despite government efforts to provide loans to entrepreneurs, lengthy loan disbursement procedures and bureaucratic challenges have hindered accessibility.
The new digital loan system is being implemented through a partnership involving three institutions: Zeea, which oversees the loan programme; Airpay, responsible for ensuring secure digital transactions; and TCB, which facilitates seamless access to funds for entrepreneurs.
ZEEA chief executive officer, Mr Juma Burhan, stated that the system will eliminate previous challenges and ensure that all eligible individuals benefit from the loans. He added that the platform will also enhance loan repayment processes, allowing borrowers to repay using their mobile phones instead of visiting banks.
“The system will facilitate loan disbursement within a maximum of 14 days, with some loans processed within just 24 hours,” Mr Burhan revealed.
TCB chief operating officer, Ms Jema Msuya, noted that the bank has already disbursed Sh954 billion in loans through traditional means. He expressed optimism that the new system will further increase loan accessibility and efficiency.
“We take pride in collaborating with ZEEA to ensure efficiency and transparency in loan disbursement,” Ms Msuya remarked.
Airpay strategy director, Mihayo Wilmore, affirmed that the system will enable verification of loan applicants to confirm their eligibility.
“If an applicant has an existing loan with ZEEA, the system will indicate this. Once the verification process is complete, the request will be forwarded to TCB for loan approval,” he explained.
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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.
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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.
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Source: allafrica.com
