Banking on women in business : case study - Tanzania

The financial services sector in Tanzania is becoming more competitive. Banks are seeking new customers and opportunities to differentiate themselves. Meanwhile, research shows that women entrepreneurs who seek financing to develop their small and midsize firms are vastly underserved. Exim Bank is the first financial institution in Tanzania to dedicate lines of credit to women entrepreneurs running midsize enterprises through its new women entrepreneurs finance program. International Finance Corporation (IFC) is providing a 5 million dollars’ credit line to finance the program, along with business advisory services funded in part by the Canadian International Development Agency. The program’s emphasis is on assisting women who are already in business, to help them meet requirements to access finance.