Arusha, Tanzania – Wednesday, 23 July 2025 – Institutional investors and policymakers from across East Africa convened in Arusha this week for the East Africa Institutional Investors Forum, a high-level event aimed at unlocking domestic capital to drive infrastructure development across the region.
The two-day forum, held from July 22 to 23, brought together pension funds, development finance institutions, regulators, and policymakers from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Organized jointly by Stanbic Bank Tanzania, Stanbic Bank Kenya, and Stanbic Bank Uganda, the forum focused on transitioning domestic capital from passive reserves into active investments in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, housing, and digital connectivity.
“This is not just another expert gathering,” said Benedict Nkini, Vice President – Financial Institutions at Stanbic Bank Tanzania. “It’s a platform for connecting capital with viable projects. For over 30 years in Tanzania, we’ve partnered across sectors to enable impactful investments. Now, we’re expanding these efforts regionally because East Africa’s challenges require regional solutions and regional capital.”
A Regional Push for Local Financing
The event comes at a time of growing concern over East Africa’s heavy reliance on external funding for infrastructure, despite holding billions in long-term local savings and pension capital. Experts argue that the issue is not a lack of funds, but a shortage of bankable projects, cross-border investment alignment, and robust policy frameworks.
Aboubakar Massinda, Senior Vice President – Energy & Infrastructure at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, emphasized the region’s capacity to finance its own growth.
“East Africa has enough domestic capital to fund its development,” said Massinda. “What’s needed is trust, harmonized regulation, and a pipeline of investable projects. Kenya brings strong project preparation, Uganda brings bold policymaking, and Tanzania contributes scale and stability. Together, this is a compelling opportunity for investors.”
Breaking Down Barriers to Investment
On day one, participants explored how to identify feasible infrastructure projects with clear financing structures, risk mitigation strategies, and long-term public value. The forum highlighted that poor project preparation, weak governance environments, and fragmented procurement systems continue to deter institutional investors—especially pension funds.
Another key theme was the need for regional policy coordination. Differing laws, reporting standards, and procurement regulations across Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda have historically hindered cross-border project execution. The forum created a unique platform for regulators, finance institutions, and government officials to discuss how to align systems without compromising national sovereignty.
A Shared Vision for Public-Private Partnership
Public-private collaboration also featured prominently, with consensus that governments alone cannot close the infrastructure gap. However, private sector players will only invest where returns are clear, risks are shared, and execution timelines are predictable.
Stanbic Bank—recently named Tanzania’s Best Investment Bank by Euromoney—said it is well positioned to lead these regional dialogues based on its deep experience in structuring complex transactions across sectors.
Organizers stressed that the forum is just the beginning of a broader, long-term strategy to shift infrastructure investment momentum from global markets to East Africa’s own financial institutions.
The event attracted participation from national treasuries, pension funds, international development finance institutions, and key government ministries across the three countries.
For Stanbic, the message is clear: East Africa is ready to finance its own development, and the bank is committed to being a central player in that transformation.
For more information, please contact:
Name: Dickson Senzi
Title: Senior Manager – External Relations, Communications & Reputation
Email: Dickson.Senzi@stanbic.co.tz
About Stanbic Bank Tanzania
Stanbic Bank Tanzania is a leading financial services provider offering a range of solutions for individuals, businesses, and institutions. With a strong focus on sustainable investment and strategic partnerships, the bank plays a key role in Tanzania’s economic development and regional integration. Stanbic is part of the Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets, with operations in over 20 African countries. Through this network, the bank connects Tanzania to Africa’s growth and global capital markets.
Visit: www.stanbicbank.co.tz
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