Tanzania Bankers Association · 30 Years of TBA

TBA Research and Financial Inclusion Conference 2026

"Transforming MSME Financing for Sustainable Development — Policy Reforms, Innovation, and Opportunities"

Kizimkazi, Zanzibar · Tanzania

Dates

3 & 4 September 2026

Time

08:00 — 17:00 HRS

Venue

Kwanza Resort Hotel

View program Download proceedings

01 — SCHEDULE

Program

Two days of sessions on MSME financing, policy reform, and financial inclusion. Times in East Africa Time (EAT).

08:00 — 09:00

Arrival, Networking & Breakfast

Secretariat / All Participants

09:00 — 09:10

Introductory and Welcoming Remarks by TBA ED (10 minutes)

Ms. Tusekelege M. Joune — TBA ED

09:10 — 09:20

Remarks by Sponsors (10 minutes)

Mastercard & IF Group

09:20 — 09:45

Fireside Chat with TBA Chairperson (25 minutes)

Mr. Theobald Sabi — TBA Chairperson. Host: Tusekelege M. Joune

09:45 — 10:10

Guest of Honour — Keynote Speech (25 minutes)

Chief Guest — Minister of Finance, Zanzibar

10:10 — 10:20

Group Photo Session (10 minutes)

All

10:20 — 10:25

Entertainment & Health Break (5 minutes)

Zanzibar Traditional Ngoma + All

10:25 — 10:55

Mobile Lending, MSME Financing, and Monetary Stability in Africa: Does Digital Credit Deepen Inclusion or Amplify Financial Fragility? (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Dr. Lusekelo Kasongwa — Mzumbe University

10:55 — 11:25

Effect of Compliance with Credit Reference Bureau Regulations on SME Loan Performance among Financial Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Ms. Upendo Jaka — Senior Manager, TCB Bank

11:25 — 11:55

Beyond Collateral: An Ecosystem-Based Development Finance Model for Youth-Led Enterprise Financing in Tanzania (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Mr. Deogratius Kwiyukwa — MD, TIB Development Bank; Mr. Hildebrand E. Shayo — Manager, TIB Development Bank

11:55 — 12:45

Panel Discussion #1 — Unlocking SME Growth through Policy and Regulatory Reforms (50 minutes)

Moderator — Mr. Kennedy Komba, Director, BOT

12:45 — 13:00

Q&A / Interaction (15 minutes)

Participants

13:00 — 14:00

Lunch & Networking

All

14:00 — 15:00

Presentation — Cybersecurity Solutions for Financial Inclusion (40 min presentation + 20 min Q&A)

Mr. Amit Mehta & Ms. Diana Majimbo — Mastercard

15:00 — 15:30

African Markets: Tested at the Margin, Anchored at the Core (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Mr. Christopher Legilisho — Economist, Stanbic

15:30 — 16:00

Digital Savings, Credit, and Payments as Drivers of SME Growth: A Case of Women Entrepreneurs in Mwanza City (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Dr. Bupe Mwakyusa — Institute of Finance Management (IFM)

16:00 — 16:50

Panel Discussion #2 — Catalysing SME Growth: The Role of Innovative and Digital Financing Solutions (50 minutes)

Moderator — Isabela Magasa, Equity Bank Tanzania

16:50 — 17:05

Q&A (15 minutes)

Participants

17:05 — 17:15

IF Group Profile Video Session (10 minutes)

IF Group

17:15

End of Day One

Delegates

08:00 — 09:00

Arrival, Networking & Breakfast

Secretariat

09:00 — 09:30

What Drives Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises' Utilization of Financial Products? Comparative Evidence from Kenya and Tanzania — 30 minutes (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Dr. Samuel Tiriongo & Mr. Hilary Mulindi — Kenya Bankers Association

09:30 — 10:00

The Effects of Food Export Restrictions on Commercial Bank Lending to the Agriculture Sector in Tanzania: A Time Series Analysis from 1994–2024 — 30 minutes (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Dr. Nyombi Rugazia — Lecturer, MNMA

10:00 — 10:30

Board Governance and Financial Technology Adoption: Heterogeneous Effects Across Commercial Banks in Tanzania — 30 minutes (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Dr. Omary J. Ally — BOT Academy

10:30 — 10:45

Health Break

All

10:45 — 11:15

Do Perceived High Tax Rates Reduce Firm Productivity? The Moderating Role of Access to Finance: Firm-Level Evidence from Tanzania — 30 minutes (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Mr. Ronald Ochen — Uganda Bankers Association (UBA)

11:15 — 11:45

Macroeconomic Instability and SME Financial Performance: Evidence on Liquidity Stress and Credit Transmission Mechanisms in Tanzania — 30 minutes (20 min presentation + 10 min Q&A)

Dr. William George — University of Dodoma

11:45 — 12:35

Panel Discussion #3 — Advancing Partnerships and Ecosystem Development for SME Transformation (50 minutes)

Moderator — Mr. Ranjeet Choudhary, CEO, DTB Bank

12:35 — 12:50

Q&A (15 minutes)

Participants

12:50 — 13:00

NIC Presentation (10 minutes)

NIC Presenter

13:00 — 14:00

Lunch