Shaping the Future of Gender Finance in Tanzania

Gender mainstreaming and more inclusive lending frameworks are transforming access to finance for women entrepreneurs in Tanzania. Through our collaboration with TIB Development Bank, the bank has taken significant steps to support women-led businesses. Read our interview with Hellen Mwasalwiba, Manager of TIB’s Portfolio Management Department to learn how TIB’s gender strategy is creating lasting impact, and how innovative approaches are unlocking new opportunities for women across Tanzania.

GOPA AFC: What inspired TIB to prioritize gender finance and develop a dedicated gender strategy?

Hellen Mwasalwiba: TIB recognized that women entrepreneurs in Tanzania face structural barriers in accessing finance, including limited collateral ownership, smaller business networks, and restricted access to long-term capital. At the same time, women-led businesses demonstrate strong repayment behavior and significant socio-economic impact. Prioritizing gender finance aligns with the bank’s development mandate to promote inclusive economic growth and unlock underutilized economic potential.

GOPA AFC: Can you share some key elements of the gender strategy and how they shaped the bank’s approach to serving women entrepreneurs?

Hellen Mwasalwiba: The gender strategy focuses on improving access to finance for women-owned and women-led enterprises through tailored credit assessment models, capacity-building support, and internal gender sensitization. It also emphasizes data collection and portfolio tracking to ensure measurable impact. This has shifted the bank’s approach from a neutral lending model to a more intentional, inclusive financing framework.

GOPA AFC: Are there any innovative financial products or services developed specifically for women as a result of this project?

Hellen Mwasalwiba: As part of the project, TIB has been working on adapting its lending frameworks to better accommodate women entrepreneurs, including flexible collateral structures, blended finance approaches, and integrating non-financial support such as business advisory services. The focus has been on reducing structural barriers rather than creating isolated products.

GOPA AFC: Did the new gender strategy already have an impact on women-led businesses in Tanzania? Could you highlight any success stories or notable achievements?

Hellen Mwasalwiba: The new gender strategy has significantly strengthened TIB’s engagement with women-led enterprises, particularly in agribusiness and SMEs. This has contributed to job creation and improved household income stability, allowing women entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and increase economic participation.

Beyond direct lending, TIB has also extended its portfolio to sectors like water and electricity infrastructure. While these loans may not go directly to women, their developmental impact disproportionately benefits women and girls by reducing the time spent on domestic responsibilities such as fetching water or managing energy needs. This enables them to focus on education, income-generating activities, and entrepreneurship, amplifying the overall impact of the gender strategy.

Therefore, the impact of the gender strategy goes beyond direct beneficiaries; it supports broader structural improvements that enhance productivity, well-being, and economic participation of women across communities.

GOPA AFC: What role did the support from GOPA AFC play in shaping the bank’s gender strategy and project?

Hellen Mwasalwiba: GOPA AFC provided technical expertise, global best practices, and structured guidance that were instrumental in formalizing TIB’s gender strategy. Their support helped build internal capacity, refine policy frameworks, and establish measurable targets, ensuring the initiative is both strategic and sustainable.

GOPA AFC: What advice would you give other financial institutions looking to develop gender-responsive strategies and products?

Hellen Mwasalwiba: First, anchor gender finance within the institution’s core strategy rather than treating it as a corporate social responsibility initiative. Second, invest in data and internal capacity building. Third, understand that gender finance is not about concessional lending but about smart, inclusive banking that recognizes untapped market opportunities.

GOPA AFC: How do you see the future of gender finance in Tanzania and the wider region?

Hellen Mwasalwiba: Gender finance is becoming a strategic priority across Africa as institutions recognize its economic potential. In Tanzania, there is growing awareness among policymakers and financial institutions about inclusive finance. With the right partnerships, capital instruments, and policy support, gender finance will continue to expand and play a transformative role in regional economic development.

This initiative was supported by the Investment Climate Reform Facility (ICR), co-funded by the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the British Council. It was implemented by GIZ, the British Council, Expertise France, and SNV.

For more information about the project please contact suzanneokao.akulu [at] gopa.eu (suzanneokao[dot]akulu[at]gopa[dot]eu)