Bank of Tanzania Financial Markets Director Emmanuel Akaro (third left) and Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director Obedi Laiser (fourth left) pose with Absa senior officials as they display the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2025 at its launch in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday. From left: Absa Group Chief Economist Geff Gable; Absa Bank Tanzania Acting Board Chairperson Lulu Ng’wanakilala; Absa Bank Tanzania Financial Markets Director Irene Rwegalulira; and Absa Africa Regional Head of Global Markets Operations Anthony Kivui.
By Charles Mkoka
Absa Bank Tanzania on Thursday hosted the official Tanzania launch of the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index (AFMI) 2025, bringing together senior policymakers, regulators, and business leaders to assess the state of Africa’s financial markets and Tanzania’s position within the continent.
The high-level corporate breakfast, held at the Rotana Hotel, was officiated by Emmanuel Akaro, Director of Financial Markets at the Bank of Tanzania, representing Governor Emmanuel Tutuba.
It drew officials from the central bank, the Capital Markets and Securities Authority, the Ministry of Finance, and the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, alongside executives from the public and private sectors and Absa’s board and senior management.
Now in its ninth year, the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index benchmarks financial market development across 29 African economies, covering about 80% of the continent’s population and gross domestic product.
Produced in partnership with the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF), with support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the index assesses countries across six pillars, including market depth, access to foreign exchange, transparency, pension fund development, macroeconomic stability and legal enforceability.
Opening the event, Obedi Laiser, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Absa Bank Tanzania, said strong and transparent financial markets were critical for sustainable growth.
“The Absa Africa Financial Markets Index was established to provide an objective, evidence-based view of how African financial markets are evolving,” Laiser said.
Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director Obedi Laiser addresses guests during the launch of the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2025 in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
“As Africa’s economies grow and diversify, deep, transparent and well-functioning markets are essential to mobilising capital, supporting businesses and enabling long-term development,” he added.
Absa Group keynote speakers presenting the 2025 findings said several African markets had recorded encouraging progress despite global economic headwinds, with reforms in transparency, regulatory clarity, product diversification, and digital innovation strengthening resilience.
In his keynote address, Akaro welcomed the report as a valuable policy and benchmarking tool and reflected on Tanzania’s performance.
“The index provides important insights into how Tanzania is progressing in strengthening its financial markets,” he said.
“It highlights areas where we are performing well, particularly in macroeconomic stability and transparency, while also identifying areas requiring further attention, including deepening local investor participation, pension fund development, and strengthening legal and institutional frameworks.”
Bank of Tanzania Financial Markets Director Emmanuel Akaro delivers the keynote address at the launch of the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2025 in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
Akaro reaffirmed the government’s commitment, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, to advancing reforms aimed at strengthening market depth, expanding financial instruments, and aligning Tanzania’s financial system with international best practices.
Closing the event, Lulu Ngwanakilala, speaking on behalf of Absa Bank Tanzania board chairman Paul Makanza, said the discussions reflected the growing maturity of dialogue around financial market development in the country.
“While the AFMI 2025 shows progress, it also reminds us that continued collaboration between government, regulators, financial institutions, and the private sector is essential to close remaining gaps and build deeper, more inclusive financial markets,” she said.
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring representatives from Absa Group, the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF), the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), and Jubilee Life Insurance, who explored practical pathways to accelerate financial market development in Tanzania in line with the AFMI 2025 findings.
Photo of the day: Bank of Tanzania Financial Markets Director Emmanuel Akaro poses with Absa Bank officials and invited guests after the launch of the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index 2025 in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.