NMB FOUNDATION, TACAIDS PARTNER TO EMPOWER 10,000 GIRLS AND WOMEN IN HIV RESPONSE

TACAIDS Director, Dr Adam Mrisho (right), exchanges signed agreement documents with NMB Foundation General Manager, Nelson Karumuna (left), after signing a partnership agreement for the joint implementation of the TIMIZA Malengo Project in Dodoma.

NMB Foundation General Manager, Nelson Karumuna (left), and TACAIDS Director, Dr Adam Mrisho (right), sign a partnership agreement for the joint implementation of the TIMIZA Malengo Project in Dodoma.

Dodoma, Tanzania; 27 May 2026 — The NMB Foundation and the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) have signed a partnership agreement to jointly implement the TIMIZA Malengo Project, targeting more than 10,000 girls and women across 36 councils in 10 regions through financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, life skills and HIV prevention services.

The agreement, signed in Dodoma yesterday, marks a strategic effort to connect public health initiatives with economic empowerment, particularly among young people aged 15 to 24, who remain among the groups requiring sustained awareness, protection and livelihood support.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, NMB Foundation General Manager Nelson Karumuna said the fight against HIV and AIDS requires collective responsibility, emphasizing that a healthy population is fundamental to building a productive workforce and a stronger economy.

“Through this partnership, we will build the capacity of more than 10,000 girls and women in 36 councils across 10 regions. The goal is to support them with financial education, entrepreneurship training, life skills and HIV prevention services because health and economic empowerment must move together,” Karumuna said.

He noted that the NMB Foundation will leverage its experience and nationwide reach to support communities, adding that NMB’s network of more than 73,000 agents across the country provides an important platform for extending financial services to women and young people, particularly in underserved areas.

On his part, TACAIDS Director Dr Adam Mrisho said the partnership is intended to build a healthier, better-informed and economically resilient generation, stressing that empowering girls and women is key to reducing vulnerability to new HIV infections.

“The health of young people is the economy of the nation. When we empower girls with knowledge, life skills and economic opportunities, we build a stronger tomorrow and reduce the risks that can expose them to new infections,” Dr Mrisho said.

He added that Tanzania has continued to record progress in reducing new HIV infections, citing available figures that indicate a decline from 0.27 percent to 0.17 percent. However, he stressed that sustained collaboration between government institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations and communities remains essential in maintaining momentum.

Meanwhile, TACAIDS lawyer Miraj Mambo said the Commission, which operates under the Prime Minister’s Office, identified NMB Foundation as a strategic partner capable of supporting the implementation of programmes that integrate health, economic empowerment and community wellbeing.

The partnership is expected to strengthen the implementation of the TIMIZA Malengo Project by combining HIV prevention, education, entrepreneurship and community engagement initiatives, while supporting the development of a healthier and economically active generation of young Tanzanians.