Head of Corporate & Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, Ester Manase (right), speaking recently with Co-Director of Studiored Communications (SRC), Dr. Doris Rwebangira, on the topic “How Women Can Invest with Confidence” during the Women Shaping The Future 2026 conference, which aims to understand how important it is to position women not just as participants in wealth creation, but as intentional architects of legacy.

Women Shaping the Future 2026 calls on every woman to make one concrete decision today

DAR ES SALAAM, 28 March 2026 — The Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam hosted the second edition of Women Shaping the Future (WSF 2026), Studiored Communications’ flagship annual conference held during Women’s Month. Themed “Build Wealth. Build Power.”, the event brought together 200 women leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for a full day of expert sessions, panel discussions, and wealth salons designed to equip women with the tools and confidence to take decisive steps toward financial independence.

The event was made possible through the partnership of Stanbic Bank Tanzania as Main Title Partner, alongside wealth salon partners Alliance Life Assurance, UTT Asset Management, Tanzania Securities Limited (TSL), and official travel partner Air Tanzania Corporation Ltd. (ATCL).

“Long-term financial stability requires intentional planning, resilience against economic shocks, and strategies that create lasting opportunities for future generations. At SRC, we are driven to use our expertise in storytelling, convening and community building to engage women to build themselves and their families.”

— Dr. Doris Rwebangira, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Studiored Communications

Stanbic Bank Tanzania: Driving Financial Inclusion for Women

As Main Title Partner, Stanbic Bank Tanzania reinforced its commitment to financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women. During a fireside chat, Ester Manase, Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, highlighted the bank’s work in women’s empowerment and wealth creation.

“We believe in the contribution of women and empowering them to achieve their goals. Through our department that works with business clients, we saw the importance of partnering with SRC in order to explore various opportunities.”

— Ester Manase, Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, Stanbic Bank Tanzania

Wealth Without Permission: Building Power, Ownership and Legacy

The flagship panel brought together certified financial educator Wanda Gordon, mental health and financial wellness advocate Sophia Byanaku, and Alliance Life Assurance’s Tumaini Pyanisa, moderated by Dr. Doris Rwebangira. The session tackled cultural barriers, protection planning, and the psychology of wealth building.

“While many individuals focus on earning and investing, they often overlook safeguarding their assets, only recognising its importance during times of crisis.”

— Tumaini Pyanisa, Bancassurance Manager, Alliance Life Assurance

Wealth Salons: Expert Access for Every Woman in the Room

The afternoon Wealth Salons delivered intimate, expert-led sessions in partnership with Alliance Life Assurance, UTT Asset Management, and Tanzania Securities Limited. CPA Emilian Busara urged women to look beyond land ownership and explore treasury bonds, treasury bills, and equities as tools for intergenerational wealth building. TSL’s session on capital markets demonstrated growing participation by women investors.

“When the DSE was established, most of the investors were men, but as more women are becoming financially empowered, they are exploring more areas for investment and their numbers are growing.”

— Urasa Sarakikya, Head of Research and Advisory, Tanzania Securities Limited

Key Takeaways from WSF 2026

Three principles defined the day: that a salary is a starting point, not a destination, and building wealth requires unlearning the idea that income alone is enough; that protection is inseparable from growth, and life insurance belongs alongside food, shelter, and clothing because wealth you cannot protect is wealth you cannot keep; and that the right unit of financial planning is not years but generations where one generation is roughly 40 years, and every woman should ask whether what she is building today will still be working three generations from now.

About Women Shaping the Future

Women Shaping the Future (WSF) is Studiored Communications’ flagship Women’s Month event, part of the Invested In Series. Now in its second edition, WSF is built on one idea: that financial confidence changes lives, families, and futures. Every session is designed so that the women in the room leave with something they can act on.