Stanbic Bank empowers informal sector through financial literacy drive in Karatu
Annette Nkini, Specialist – Sustainability & ESG at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, engages participants during a financial literacy session in Karatu, part of CSO Week 2025.
Karatu. As part of its ongoing commitment to financial inclusion, Stanbic Bank Tanzania held a targeted financial literacy session in Karatu on Tuesday, equipping informal sector workers and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to manage their finances and grow their businesses.
The initiative formed part of activities marking CSO Week 2025, a national platform bringing together civil society actors, government representatives, and private sector partners to promote inclusive development.
Speaking during the session, Annette Nkini, Specialist – Sustainability & ESG at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, underscored the transformative power of financial education in driving inclusive economic growth.
“For inclusive development to take root, we must ensure that no one is left behind—especially those operating in informal sectors. Financial literacy is a powerful tool for empowerment,” Nkini said.
The session was delivered under the Stanbic Biashara Incubator program, which focuses on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with practical knowledge in areas such as budgeting, savings, record keeping, and access to credit. Participants were introduced to real-world financial practices they can immediately apply to strengthen their income-generating activities.
Karatu’s informal economy—comprised largely of smallholder farmers, market traders, and micro-entrepreneurs—stands to benefit significantly from such tailored interventions. Many attendees described the session as eye-opening, noting that it provided a roadmap for better financial planning and resilience.
The outreach is part of a broader series of Stanbic Bank engagements during CSO Week, aimed at reinforcing the bank’s position not just as a financial institution, but as a long-term development partner committed to building financially resilient communities across Tanzania.
Stanbic Bank has continued to invest in financial literacy programs nationwide, with a focus on youth, women, and informal business owners—groups often underserved by traditional financial systems.
