Author: The Exchange

Tanzania’s Central bank, the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) has pledged 500m/-  in soft loans to the country’s artisanal gold miners.

The loans will be extended via the 13-year-old artisanal miners’ empowerment scheme dubbed the Small and Medium Enterprises Credit Guarantee Scheme (SME-CGS).

Under the scheme, the artisanal miners are guaranteed working capital from commercial banks in their respective areas of operation. The way it works is that the central bank guarantees the commercial bank up to 50% of the loan amount that the miner applies for. On the other hand,  the recipient is then responsible to cover the remaining 50%.

This scheme was passed into law by the Act of 2006 which stipulates that when the loan is passed then the responsible financial institutions pays one per cent of the guaranteed loans to the central banks.

To secure these soft loans requires a business plan complete with financial plans detailing …

Stanbic Bank Tanzania today reaffirmed its commitment to the development of Tanzania and announced that in 2019 it provided TZS 177 billion in funding to various infrastructure development projects in the country. Providing finance and financial expertise to the private and public sector in Tanzania is a key focus for the bank.

Stanbic Chief Executive Mr. Ken Cockerill said, “Stanbic Bank is well positioned to play an important role in supporting Tanzania’s second Five Year Development Plan, which seeks to encourage industrialization and promote economic growth and social development.”

Mr Cockerill also mentioned that, “Infrastructure development is the cornerstone for sustainable long-term economic growth and competitiveness. With that in mind we are proud to be at the forefront of bridging the infrastructure funding gap to accelerate socioeconomic transformation in Tanzania.”

Unlocking private sector funding will create solutions to bridge Tanzania’s and the continent’s infrastructure deficit and challenging business environment by …

Songas limited has paid the government TZS8.8 billion in dividends as a result of its shareholding in the Tanzanian gas-to-power company.

Songas is a strategic partner with the Government in meeting the growing demand for energy and includes ownership by Tanzanian sector entities, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) and Tanzania Development Finance Company Limited (TDFL) as well as Globeleq, a leading independent power producer solely focused in Africa.

Songas Chief Financial Officer, Anael Samuel said TANESCO will receive about TZS2.2billion while TPDC will receive an estimated TZS6.6billion, both amounts will be subjected to withholding tax.  The amounts are determined by each entity’s shareholding in Songas.

Additionally, the government also benefits from its 32% shareholding in TDFL, which receives about TZS 1.8 billion in dividends and also through the Tanzanian Revenue Authority from the withholding tax on dividends.

Since 2012 the company has paid TZS121.6 …

To cement trade ties, boost investment flows and encourage tourism between Tanzania and China, Standard Bank and the Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) have launched the I Go Tanzania loyalty program in partnership with Tanzania Tourism Board.

This initiative, part of ICBC’s I Go Global rewards scheme for its card holders in China, was unveiled in Tanzania on 6th August 2019. It will capitalize on the growing appetite among Chinese travelers to visit Tanzania by offering a range of discounts and special offers from merchants across the travel, hospitality and lifestyle sectors, says Standard Bank’s group head of card and emerging payments across Africa in personal and business banking, Lincoln Mali.

“ICBC is the biggest bank in the world, with approximately 139 million credit cards and as many debit card customers,” says Mali, explaining the rationale behind the new loyalty program, which was designed by Standard Bank in partnership …

When Mr. Innocent Rwetabura strode into the interview room, he didn’t have the temperament that would be associated with someone of his stature – holding a top tier position at one of the leading Telecom companies in the country.

To the contrary, Rwetabura was unassumingly gentle. He patiently sat there, readying himself to be bombarded with questions.

Perhaps his extensive experience in the financial and telecom sector at some of the biggest companies in and outside of Tanzania elevated not only his skills as a finance expert, but his overall demeanor.

Rwetabura’s history speaks for itself. He moved to Tigo with vast experience having held various top positions at other companies, some trading in the Telco industry.

According to him, accounting has always been in his blood. Yes, dealing with numbers comes with the package, but his motivation has not always been remuneration and perks that come with the profession, …

By Giza Mdoe

 Wide angle AI Triple Camera

You have not experienced the wonders of a smartphone until you experience the Phantom 9.We are not just talking of the usual fingerprint in-display sensors,motion sensing and screen rotating gyroscope, we are going the extra mile and introducing Artificial Intelligence Triple Cameras complete with auto sensors and a wide angle photography capability.

The AI Triple Camera (16MP+2MP+8MP) has one camera in the front for your amazing never to miss selfie moments and two cameras in the rear for even clearer, wider angle pictures.

“With the amazing AI triple camera plus other wonderful features, we are proud to say it was worth the wait. Photography enthusiasts and business professionals will find that is a great addition to their work and entertainment toolbox,” said Stephen HA, the Managing Director of TECNO Mobile.

He was speaking at the global launch of the …

The Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) announced that the country earned $103 million from export generated by industrial parks. The gain is a 40 percent increment compared to last year’s performance recorded at the same period.

According to Abebe Abebayehu, Ethiopia Investment Commissioner, 70 percent of the planned earning from industrial parks during  the stated period had been accomplished. He further noted that footwear and other leather products, as well as textile and apparel have been exported to Europe, USA, Asia and other export destinations. Statistics from Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) ranks Ethiopia the 5^th in the world and number one in Africa with the most cattle inventory.

Mr. Abebe, stating that industrial parks across the country have created employment for over 70,000 workers, said Ethiopia has been able to attract . (https://restorehealthky.com) 5 billion foreign direct investment in the mentioned nine months.

However, the commissioner said, …