Women contribute 35 percent to Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, who has urged greater investment in women’s digital capacity to expand services in rural areas and fast-track inclusive national development.
Speaking at the opening of the annual meeting of the Tanzania Women in Financial Sector Association (TAWiFA), Dr. Biteko stressed that women are not just playing a supportive role but are central to the national economy, with 70 percent of agricultural labour—especially in food crops—performed by women.
“The contribution of women to the economy is undeniable. It is time we moved beyond viewing gender equity as charity—it is a strategic investment for the nation's prosperity,” said Dr. Biteko.
According to a 2022 report by the Tanzania Bankers Association (TBA), women make up 47 percent of the financial sector workforce, hold 10 percent of executive positions, and constitute 18 percent of board members—averaging two women per board.
Despite these achievements, Dr. Biteko pointed out persistent challenges women face in the financial sector, including limited access to affordable loans, low financial literacy, and underrepresentation in policy-making platforms.
He emphasized the importance of early gender equity education. “We must raise our children—both boys and girls—with equal opportunities. Our cultural and traditional biases must be challenged at home if we want systemic change,” he noted.
Highlighting government efforts, Dr. Biteko said the Sixth-Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has taken deliberate steps to empower women.
These include appointing women to high-level decision-making positions, reviewing the 2000 National Gender Policy, and introducing guidelines such as the 2023 Framework on Safety and Protection of Women and Youth in Higher Learning Institutions.
“We urge women to embrace digital transformation,” he added. “As the world shifts towards digitization, investing in technology will simplify business operations and improve service delivery, especially in rural areas.”
The Deputy Prime Minister said that resolutions and discussions from the TAWiFA meeting will generate practical solutions to boost women’s participation in the financial sector, including banking, insurance, capital markets, and mobile financial services.
Deputy Minister for Finance, Hamad Chande, applauded the formation of TAWiFA, noting that it provides a vital platform to support women’s economic advancement.
“The government has created an enabling environment by enacting economic policies and laws that foster the growth of women and marginalized groups. We are committed to supporting TAWiFA in ensuring that women’s voices are heard and empowered in our economy,” said Chande.
TAWiFA President, Fikira Ntomola, reinforced that investing in women is not an act of charity but a strategic move to stimulate inclusive development.
“Our mission is to increase financial literacy among women across the country through training and workshops, so they can manage their finances and businesses effectively,” she said.
Ntomola also acknowledged the government’s role in promoting inclusive policies and gender equality in the financial sector.
“We have been building the capacity of women to operate and expand their businesses, while increasing their understanding of the financial ecosystem,” she added.
She appealed to stakeholders to open doors for women, saying TAWiFA is ready to collaborate on public financial education and research that supports women’s empowerment initiatives.
TAWiFA Vice President, Nangi Massawe, said the association unites women across the financial sector to push for gender equity and national development.
Currently, TAWiFA boasts 204 members and continues to champion women’s inclusion in the financial system as a driver of national growth.
