Arusha
Tanzania NMB Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with major business stakeholders in Arusha, particularly in the tourism sector, to enhance business efficiency, increase revenue, and boost Tanzania’s contribution to the global economy.
Speaking at a dinner event that brought together over 100 top business leaders from the Arusha region, NMB Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Ruth Zaipuna, emphasized the bank’s recognition of Arusha’s pivotal role in tourism and commerce. She noted that therefore NMB is keen to collaborate closely with local entrepreneurs to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the sector.
“One of our core responsibilities is to support the growth and sustainability of your businesses,” Zaipuna said.
“NMB continues to innovate financial products and services tailored to address your challenges from affordable loans and cutting-edge digital technologies to simplified payment systems.”
According to the Bank of Tanzania, the tourism sector remains the country’s leading source of foreign exchange, having attracted 5.3 million tourists and generated over USD 4 billion in revenue, positioning Tanzania among Africa’s top tourism destinations.
Zaipuna underscored the critical role of the private sector especially Arusha-based entrepreneurs in achieving these milestones.
She also encouraged business owners to provide feedback on the bank’s services and suggest new product ideas to help NMB develop solutions that meet their evolving needs.
NMB’s Chief Officer for Retail and Business Banking, Filbert Mponzi, highlighted the bank’s financial strength, noting that with assets exceeding TZS 4 trillion, NMB can offer individual clients loans of up to TZS 600 billion.
“This demonstrates our strong capacity to deliver comprehensive financial solutions, including investment loans, digital payments, insurance services, and financial advisory,” Mponzi said.
He added that this financial stability has earned NMB the title of Tanzania’s safest bank for three consecutive years, as well as 11 wins in the past 13 years for the “Best Bank in Tanzania” award by the financial publication Euromoney.
Focusing on tourism-specific services, Mponzi explained that NMB offers loans for the development of hospitality businesses, construction of luxury camps and tents, acquisition of tourist transport vehicles, and installment-based equipment financing at competitive interest rates.
One of the attending entrepreneurs, Frank Kileo, commended NMB for its proactive engagement with the business community.
“Your bank continues to lead despite intense market competition, which gives us, your clients, confidence and a sense of security. We encourage you to keep strengthening your position,” he said.
NMB’s Northern Zone Manager, Baraka Ladislaus, noted that the event aimed to listen to business owners’ challenges, gather feedback on services, and educate them on new offerings—including payment technologies, innovative cards, and travel, health, cargo, and trip insurance products.
