Our Correspondence – Arusha
March 25, 2026. Tanzania’s tourism sector continues to be a key pillar of the national economy and empowering its players remains essential for sustainable growth.
In line with this commitment, Akiba Commercial Bank has entered a strategic partnership with Hans Paul Automech to provide practical solutions to one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: access to reliable safari vehicles.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is designed to support tour operators with access to high-quality, durable and purpose-built safari vehicles.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Allen Nkya, Senior Manager Business Banking, highlighted the Bank’s strategic focus:
“This partnership reflects our deliberate effort to support the tourism sector by providing tailored financial solutions that enable operators to acquire strong, durable and reliable safari vehicles.
Through this arrangement, Akiba Commercial Bank will finance up to 80% of the vehicle cost, with customers contributing only 20%.”
What makes this initiative particularly impactful is its flexibility. The financing model has been designed with the tourism business cycle in mind, recognizing the realities of both high and low seasons.
By aligning repayment terms with actual cash flows, the Bank ensures that tour operators can grow sustainably without unnecessary financial strain.
With over two decades of experience in the industry, Satbir, CEO of Hans Paul Automech, emphasized a critical issue:
“The lack of strong and durable safari vehicles has significantly impacted many operators, as constant repairs consume both capital and profits. This partnership offers a practical and sustainable solution to this longstanding challenge.”
Many tour operators have traditionally relied on used vehicles, which often lead to frequent breakdowns, high maintenance costs and reduced profitability.
This partnership directly tackles that gap by ensuring access to reliable, high-performance safari vehicles.
The initiative has been widely welcomed by stakeholders across the tourism sector. Sam Diah, the Chairman of the Tanzania Local Tour Operators (TLTO), praised the collaboration as a timely and impactful solution.
At the operational level, Gilbert Minja, Arusha Branch Manager reassured customers of efficient service delivery:
“We are committed to ensuring a seamless process for our customers, from understanding the financing arrangements to accessing the facility within the shortest time possible.”
The event brought together key stakeholders, customers and partners, all aligned by a shared goal of strengthening Tanzania’s tourism sector through innovation, collaboration, and practical solutions.
As Akiba Commercial Bank Plc continues to innovate and respond to customer needs, initiatives like this reaffirm its commitment to delivering customized financial solutions that drive real impact.
