TANGA BENEFITS FROM FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION AS OVER 5,000 RESIDENTS ARE REACHED

 

More than 5,000 residents of Tanga Region have benefited from financial literacy education after participating in the Fifth National Financial Services Week, held from January 19 to 26, 2026, at Usagara Grounds in Tanga City.

The event, aimed at empowering citizens to effectively use formal financial services for economic and social development, attracted strong participation from entrepreneurs, youth, women, students, fishermen, and public servants.

The week-long celebrations were officially concluded on January 26, 2026, by the Tanga Regional Commissioner, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Batilda Buriani, under the theme “Financial Literacy: A Foundation for Economic and Social Development.”

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Dr. Buriani expressed her appreciation to citizens and financial sector stakeholders for their active participation, noting that the knowledge gained would enable participants to make better use of formal financial services, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to both family and national economic growth.

“These celebrations recorded a strong turnout, with more than 5,000 participants including entrepreneurs, women, youth, fishermen, students, and public servants receiving in-depth education on personal financial management, savings, credit, investment, insurance, and mechanisms for resolving financial disputes through formal institutions,” said Dr. Buriani.

She added that the initiative aligns with the goals of Tanzania Development Vision 2050 and the Financial Sector Development Master Plan.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, the Acting Commissioner for Financial Sector Development, Ms. Dionisia Mjema, said the event was part of the implementation of the Financial Sector Development Master Plan 2020/21–2029/30, which aims to strengthen consumer protection and enhance financial inclusion.

Ms. Mjema revealed that by December 2026, financial literacy education had been conducted in 17 regions and 94 local government authorities, reaching a total of 64,125 citizens 22,445 men and 41,680 women.

“In Tanga Region alone, a total of 5,350 participants were trained on various topics, including personal financial management, savings culture, responsible borrowing, investment in capital markets and collective investment schemes, health and life insurance, taxation, and retirement planning,” she said.

She emphasized that the initiative has enabled citizens to better understand their financial rights and responsibilities, while encouraging them to take advantage of available opportunities within the financial sector.

Some participants shared positive feedback on the impact of the training.

Asha Mwinuka, a small-scale trader from Tanga, said the education had transformed her understanding of financial management.

“I now understand how to save, invest with discipline, and comply with loan requirements. This will help improve my business and increase income for my family,” she said.

Similarly, Juma Maulid, a student at Masai Utalii College in Tanga City, said the knowledge gained on insurance and savings would help him prepare for his future.

Leaders also expressed gratitude to key stakeholders, banks, and sponsors including the Bank of Tanzania, NMB, NBC, Mwalimu Commercial Bank, UTT-AMIS, and PSSSF for their significant contributions toward the success of the event.

The National Financial Services Week recorded several achievements for both citizens and the financial sector at large. These include increased financial awareness, improved understanding of access to and use of formal financial products and services, and enhanced utilization of financial markets. Financial services were also brought closer to the people.

Furthermore, the initiative empowered citizens to manage their resources more effectively, strengthened the capacity of entrepreneurs to link their businesses with financial sector opportunities, and promoted a culture of using formal financial services driving economic growth at household, community, and national levels.

The National Financial Services Week is expected to continue annually across various regions to further enhance public financial awareness, promote investment, and deepen financial inclusion. These achievements demonstrate that financial literacy is not only a tool for financial awareness but also a cornerstone of sustainable economic and social development, in line with national goals of increasing per capita income and overall national wealth.