Dar es Salaam, March 5, 2026 – NMB Bank Plc has partnered with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) to launch a Digital Bank Guarantee Confirmation service, a major step aimed at modernising Tanzania’s public procurement processes through technology.
The new service integrates NMB’s banking systems with the government’s electronic procurement platform, NeST System, allowing instant verification of bank guarantees used in government tenders.
The initiative was officially launched at the NMB Head Office in Dar es Salaam, bringing together leaders from the public and private sectors, procurement professionals, customers, and members of the media.
Advancing Digital Transformation in Public Procurement
Speaking during the launch, Ruth Zaipuna, Chief Executive Officer of NMB Bank, said the new solution reflects the bank’s commitment to using technology and strategic partnerships to deliver innovative financial services that improve efficiency and transparency across key sectors of the economy.
She explained that the digital service will simplify the process of submitting and verifying bank guarantees required in public procurement.
Traditionally, the verification of bank guarantees relied heavily on paper-based processes that often resulted in delays, administrative burdens, and risks such as document loss or fraud.
“With the launch of the Digital Bank Guarantee Confirmation service, processes that previously took several days can now be completed almost instantly,” said Zaipuna.
Through the integrated system, NMB will verify both the bank guarantee and the bidder’s account in real time and provide immediate confirmation through the NeST platform.
Supporting Businesses Participating in Government Tenders
Public procurement plays a crucial role in Tanzania’s economic activity. Every day, large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), contractors, suppliers, and service providers compete for government tenders that require speed, transparency, and strict compliance with procurement regulations.
The new digital solution allows bidders to submit and verify several types of guarantees directly through the NeST system, including:
- Bid Bonds
- Advance Payment Guarantees
- Performance Guarantees
According to NMB, the service offers several key benefits to businesses participating in public tenders:
- Faster participation in procurement processes
- Instant verification of bank guarantees
- Reduced administrative workload and follow-up requirements
- Improved transparency and accountability
- Greater confidence when competing for public contracts
Zaipuna encouraged customers still using traditional bank guarantee processes to transition to the new digital system, noting that NMB is ready to support businesses as they adopt the technology.
Strengthening Transparency and Efficiency
Also speaking at the launch, Dennis Simba, Director General of PPRA, highlighted the importance of the integration in strengthening Tanzania’s public procurement framework.
He noted that all government tender processes are now conducted through the NeST platform, which currently connects with more than 20 institutions, including financial institutions.
With the new integration, when a bidder enters the bank guarantee number issued by NMB into the NeST system, the platform automatically retrieves and verifies the guarantee directly from the bank.
This eliminates the need for procuring entities to manually contact banks to confirm the authenticity of guarantees.
“The system verifies the validity of the guarantee, its value, validity period, and its link to the respective tender instantly,” Simba explained.
The new system significantly reduces the risk of document forgery and shortens procurement timelines.
A Step Toward a Fully Digital Procurement Ecosystem
PPRA announced that the service will officially begin operating in March 2026 for all bidders using the NeST platform.
In addition to digital bank guarantee verification, PPRA and NMB have also introduced bank account verification for bidders through NeST, a service that has been operational since December 2025.
This feature enhances financial security in procurement transactions and lays the groundwork for future electronic payment systems within the public procurement framework.
Supporting Tanzania’s Digital Economy Vision
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of building a digital economy and improving the business environment in Tanzania.
PPRA said it will continue working with the Bank of Tanzania, commercial banks, and other stakeholders to expand the digital bank guarantee system to more banks across the country.
The collaboration between PPRA and NMB demonstrates how partnerships between public institutions and financial sector players can drive innovation, increase transparency, and improve efficiency in critical national systems.
With the launch of the Digital Bank Guarantee Confirmation service, Tanzania’s public procurement sector is taking another significant step toward a more secure, transparent, and technology-driven future.
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