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Equity Bank Tanzania has strengthened its drive to expand financial inclusion for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by sponsoring the annual conference of the Tanzania Women Contractors Association (TWCA).
The move is aimed at addressing gender gaps in the fast-growing construction sector, where women remain underrepresented in major projects.
The conference, held under the theme “Empowering Women Contractors: From Policy to Impact”, brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Works, the Contractors Registration Board (CRB), the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), alongside private-sector players.
Discussions focused on policy implementation, strategies to increase women’s participation in infrastructure projects, and the critical role of financial institutions in enabling access to capital.
Equity Bank’s Head of Business Finance and Working Capital, Stephen Matinya, said the lender has developed specialised products for women contractors, including working capital loans, financial advisory services, and digital platforms to simplify transactions.
“We want to ensure women have the same opportunities as men in bidding for tenders, securing funding, and building sustainable businesses,” he said.
Senior Manager for Business Finance and Working Capital, Jacqueline Mollel, emphasised that financial access must go hand in hand with business skills.
She said the bank runs regular training sessions to help contractors strengthen financial management, improve record-keeping, and use technology to oversee large-scale projects.
CRB data shows women contractors account for less than 15 percent of large infrastructure contracts in Tanzania, with limited capital, high collateral demands, and insufficient market information among the key barriers.
Equity Bank says its flexible financing model is designed to close this gap and increase women’s share of the sector’s economic value.
By sponsoring TWCA’s flagship event, the bank signalled its commitment to inclusive economic growth.
It sees collaboration between the private sector, financial institutions, and government as essential to creating a business environment that allows more women to compete for high-value contracts and contribute to national development.