Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – 4 March 2026
Absa Bank Tanzania Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment, positioning inclusion not as corporate philanthropy, but as a strategic national growth imperative critical to Tanzania’s long-term competitiveness.
Speaking to members of the media in Dar es Salaam, the Bank’s Managing Director, Obedi Laiser, underscored the economic case for inclusion, noting that empowering women is fundamental to sustainable growth.
“Women empowerment is not optional for growth. It is a requirement for growth,” Mr. Laiser said. “Excluding nearly half of the country’s talent pool from full economic participation represents a measurable productivity loss.”
Inclusion Embedded in the Operating Model
Mr. Laiser explained that inclusion at Absa is not treated as a standalone initiative but is embedded within the Bank’s operating model — influencing product design, lending frameworks, leadership development, and strategic partnerships.
“Women have always demonstrated capability and resilience. The strength was always there. What often lacked was access — access to capital, networks, and formal systems,” he said. “By empowering women, we are not choosing a segment. We are choosing Tanzania’s future.”
She Business Account: Expanding Access to Finance
A key example of this commitment is Absa’s She Business Account, a dedicated banking solution designed to address barriers that frequently exclude women entrepreneurs from the formal financial system.
The product reduces account maintenance costs while encouraging the development of strong transaction histories — a critical factor in improving credit eligibility and long-term financial inclusion.
Recognising that collateral requirements and informality often limit access to finance, the Bank has strengthened partnerships with microfinance institutions. Through a layered financing model, Absa provides capital to specialised lenders who extend financing to women entrepreneurs at the grassroots level, broadening access where it is needed most.
Challenging Credit Risk Perceptions
Mr. Laiser also addressed common misconceptions surrounding credit risk among women-led enterprises.
“The notion that women are riskier borrowers does not align with performance data. Women-led enterprises frequently demonstrate strong repayment discipline and sustainable reinvestment behaviour,” he said.
Building Leadership Through “ElevateHer”
Beyond financial solutions, Absa is institutionalising inclusion through structured leadership development initiatives. Mr. Laiser sponsors an internal mentorship programme known as ElevateHer, which supports mid-level female managers in strengthening executive presence, enhancing boardroom engagement, and increasing strategic visibility.
The Bank also facilitates mentorship linkages between senior female directors and emerging leaders, reinforcing leadership continuity and knowledge transfer across the organisation.
This commitment is anchored in Absa’s corporate purpose — “Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time” — and its brand promise, “Your story matters.”
“Our purpose reflects our belief that sustainable growth is achieved by unlocking individual and collective potential. ‘Your Story Matters’ means every entrepreneur, every leader, and every ambition deserves recognition, support, and opportunity,” Mr. Laiser said.
Inclusion as a Balance Sheet Strategy
Mr. Laiser cautioned that slowing the momentum of intentional empowerment would carry measurable costs, including weakened household stability, reduced leadership diversity, and diminished national competitiveness.
“In today’s global environment, inclusion is no longer peripheral. It is central to long-term balance sheet strength and national economic momentum,” he noted.
For Absa Bank Tanzania Limited, empowering women is not a seasonal campaign but a structural investment — aligning commercial performance with social progress and positioning the Bank as a catalyst for inclusive economic transformation.
About the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index
The Absa Africa Financial Markets Index is an annual report that evaluates the development of African financial markets across six pillars, offering insights for investors, policymakers, and market participants.
The Index is produced by Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) in partnership with Absa Group Limited, with support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
About Absa Bank Tanzania
Absa Bank Tanzania Limited is one of Tanzania’s leading financial institutions, offering integrated solutions across Corporate and Investment Banking, Business Banking for SMEs, and Retail Banking. Backed by a 21-year legacy in Tanzania, the Bank remains committed to delivering local solutions to uniquely local challenges and bringing possibility to life.
The Bank is part of Absa Group Limited, one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups, employing approximately 40,000 professionals across multiple African markets and international representative offices.
For more information, visit: www.absa.co.tz
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