Thursday, 27th March 2025.
inAfrika 记者报道、
In a significant boost for Tanzania’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Proparco has renewed its strategic partnership with CRDB Bank Plc through the issuance of two new financial guarantees, each valued at €24 million—bringing the total support to €48 million. This move aims to address one of the key challenges faced by MSMEs in Tanzania: access to finance.
The agreement was formalized on March 24 in Dar es Salaam at a ceremony attended by H.E. Anne-Sophie Avé, French Ambassador to Tanzania; Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat, Proparco’s Regional Director for East Africa; Abdulmajid Nsekela, Group Managing Director and CEO of CRDB Bank Plc; and EU Representative Sebastian Schaber.
MSMEs play a pivotal role in Tanzania’s economy, contributing approximately 27% to the national GDP and employing over 5 million people. However, many remain underserved due to stringent lending requirements and the lack of adequate guarantees. The partnership between Proparco and CRDB seeks to bridge this financing gap and unlock new opportunities for growth and resilience in the sector.
Founded in 1996, CRDB Bank—formerly known as the Cooperative and Rural Development Bank—has emerged as Tanzania’s largest financial institution and a key player in SME lending. With an expanding presence in neighboring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the bank continues to strengthen its regional impact.
The two new guarantees—ARIZ and EURIZ—form part of a broader initiative to stimulate inclusive economic development. The EURIZ guarantee, backed by the European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), is tailored for MSMEs in high-impact sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, with a specific focus on women- and youth-led enterprises. Meanwhile, the ARIZ guarantee, a tool developed by the AFD Group, will support MSMEs operating in trade and services.
“This partnership exemplifies the strong economic cooperation between France and Tanzania,” said Ambassador Anne-Sophie Avé. “By improving access to finance—particularly for businesses led by women—we are fostering inclusive growth and empowering the next generation of Tanzanian entrepreneurs.”
Proparco’s East Africa Director, Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat, echoed this sentiment: “Collaborating with a trusted institution like CRDB is one of the most effective ways for us to support the real economy in Tanzania. These guarantees will help mobilize much-needed capital for local businesses and spur job creation.”
EU Representative Sebastian Schaber highlighted the role of the European Union: “MSMEs are the backbone of Tanzania’s economy. By backing Proparco’s guarantees to CRDB Bank, the EU reaffirms its commitment to inclusive economic growth, especially in supporting women-led and youth-led enterprises.”
With this renewed commitment, CRDB Bank and Proparco are reinforcing their long-standing collaboration and demonstrating how strategic financial partnerships can catalyze private sector growth, stimulate innovation, and contribute to sustainable development across Tanzania.
Chinese 
English 
Swahili 
French 
Portuguese