The Bank of Tanzania Director of Financial Markets, Mr. Emmanuel Akaro (third left), and Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director, Mr. Obedi Laiser (third right), together with senior Absa officials, display the newly launched Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2025 in Dar es Salaam. From left: Absa Group Chief Economist, Mr. Geff Gable; Absa Bank Tanzania Acting Board Chairperson, Ms. Lulu Ng’wanakilala; Absa Bank Tanzania Director of Financial Markets, Ms. Irene Rwegalulira; and Absa Africa Regional Head of Global Markets Operations, Mr. Anthony Kivui.
Dar es Salaam, Thursday 29 January 2026 – Absa Bank Tanzania has officially launched the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index (AFMI) 2025 in Tanzania, hosting a high-level corporate breakfast at the Rotana Hotel that brought together senior policymakers, regulators, financial sector leaders, and corporate executives.
The event provided a platform to reflect on the state of Africa’s financial markets and assess Tanzania’s performance within the continental financial landscape, as outlined in the latest Index.
High-Level Participation from Government and Industry
The launch was officiated by the Guest of Honour, Mr. Emmanuel Akaro, Director of Financial Markets at the Bank of Tanzania, representing the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Tutuba.
The gathering attracted senior officials from the Bank of Tanzania, Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA), Ministry of Finance, and the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), alongside leaders from the public and private sectors, members of Absa Bank Tanzania’s Board and senior management, and representatives from the media.
AFMI: A Key Benchmark for Africa’s Financial Markets
Now in its ninth year, the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index serves as a comprehensive benchmark of financial market development across 29 African economies, covering approximately 80 percent of Africa’s population and GDP.
Produced in partnership with the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) and supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Index assesses countries across six key pillars:
- Market depth
- Access to foreign exchange
- Market transparency
- Pension fund development
- Macroeconomic environment
- Legal enforceability
Absa Emphasizes the Role of Financial Markets in Economic Growth
Opening the event, Mr. Obedi Laiser, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Absa Bank Tanzania, underscored the importance of strong, transparent financial markets in driving sustainable economic growth.
“The Absa Africa Financial Markets Index was established to provide an objective, evidence-based view of how African financial markets are evolving,” said Mr. Laiser.
“As Africa’s economies continue to grow and diversify, deep, transparent and well-functioning financial markets are essential to mobilising capital, supporting businesses, and enabling long-term development.”
Key Findings from AFMI 2025
Presenting the 2025 findings, Absa Group keynote speakers highlighted encouraging progress across several African markets, despite global economic headwinds. Reforms in market transparency, regulatory clarity, product diversification, and digital innovation emerged as key drivers of resilience across the continent.
Tanzania’s Performance and Reform Priorities
In his keynote address, Mr. Emmanuel Akaro welcomed the report as an important policy and benchmarking tool, reflecting on Tanzania’s performance as captured in the Index.
“The Absa Africa Financial Markets Index provides important insights into how Tanzania is progressing in strengthening its financial markets,” said Mr. Akaro.
“The report highlights areas where we are performing well, particularly in macroeconomic stability and transparency, while also identifying areas that require further attention, including deepening local investor participation, pension fund development, and strengthening legal and institutional frameworks.”
Mr. Akaro reaffirmed the Government’s commitment—under the leadership of H.E. President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan—to advancing reforms aimed at strengthening market depth, expanding financial instruments, and aligning Tanzania’s financial system with international best practices.
Call for Continued Collaboration
Closing the event, Director Lulu Ngwanakilala, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Absa Bank Tanzania, Mr. Paul Makanza, commended the strong participation and quality of dialogue during the launch.
“Today’s discussions demonstrate the growing maturity of conversations around financial market development in Tanzania,” she said.
“While the AFMI 2025 shows that progress has been made, it also reminds us that continued collaboration between government, regulators, financial institutions and the private sector is essential to building deeper and more inclusive financial markets.”
She reaffirmed Absa Bank Tanzania’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders to support reforms that enhance transparency, resilience, and long-term investment across the financial sector.
Engaging Panel Discussion
The event concluded with a well-moderated panel discussion featuring representatives from Absa Group, Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF), Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), and Jubilee Life Insurance. The panel explored practical pathways for accelerating financial market development in Tanzania in line with the AFMI 2025 insights.
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, providing insights for investors, policymakers, and market participants. The Index is produced by OMFIF in partnership with Absa Group, 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, and Retail Banking. With a 21-year legacy in Tanzania, Absa is committed to delivering local solutions to uniquely local challenges, guided by its purpose of bringing possibility to life.
Absa Bank Tanzania is part of Absa Group Limited, one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups, employing approximately 40,000 professionals across multiple African markets, with representative offices in Nigeria, Namibia, London, and New York.
For more information, visit www.absa.co.tz.
 |
| The Bank of Tanzania Director of Financial Markets, Mr. Emmanuel Akaro (second left), listens to Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director, Mr. Obedi Laiser (left), upon his arrival at the Johari Rotana to officiate the launch of the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2025 in Dar es Salaam. Looking on are Absa Bank Tanzania Director of Financial Markets, Ms. Irene Rwegalulira, and the Bank’s Acting Director for Compliance and Legal, Mr. Alistides Kashasira. |
No comments:
Post a Comment