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Absa Bank Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing local talent and strengthening leadership development in Tanzania through its partnership with the Fanisi Platform.
Speaking during the fifth anniversary celebration of the platform in Dar es Salaam, Patrick Foya said the bank was proud to support an initiative that continues to shape a new generation of leaders across the country.
Addressing guests, partners, alumni and participants, he commended Sarah Majengo for establishing a platform that has transformed mid-level professionals into confident corporate leaders over the past five years by helping bridge talent gaps and redefining leadership development in the region.
Mr. Foya said Absa’s collaboration with Fanisi aligns with the bank’s purpose of empowering Africa’s future through investment in people and leadership growth.
“At Absa, our purpose is to empower Africa’s tomorrow, together one story at a time, and for us that really starts with our people,” he said.
He noted that the bank remains intentional about developing leaders internally through continuous investment in staff development and mentorship.
According to Mr. Foya, about 40 Absa employees have graduated through the Fanisi programme since the partnership began in 2024, while another 28 employees are currently enrolled in the latest cohort.
“As sponsors, our decision to invest in Fanisi was simple; we believe that empowering local talent is the single most effective way to drive sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Earlier, Ms. Majengo said the learning platform was established to help bridge the gap between Tanzania’s national ambitions and the country’s human capital development needs.
She noted that small and medium-sized enterprises account for more than 90 percent of businesses in Tanzania, employ over five million people and contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
However, she said many businesses continue to face difficulties accessing disciplined and competent professionals despite increasing levels of educational attainment.
Citing findings from the World Bank, Ms. Majengo said academic certificates alone are increasingly no longer viewed as sufficient indicators of competence, with many employers struggling to secure skilled personnel.
She linked the issue to Tanzania’s Vision 2050 agenda, which seeks to build a one-trillion-dollar economy driven by productivity and innovation.
According to her, the challenge remains whether Tanzania can develop its people fast enough to sustain that ambition.
“The gap between Tanzania’s ambition and its human capital is precisely the gap that Fanisi exists to address,” she said.
Ms. Majengo added that over the past five years, Fanisi has implemented programmes benefiting both young people and professionals while continuously refining its mission as a catalyst for people development.
Fanisi operates as a learning platform and talent development partner for growth-focused companies and individuals, offering tailored training, networking opportunities and strategic placement services.
