By Our Reporter
The Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) has reached 50,000 participants through its financial education initiatives since introducing the DSE Scholar Investment Challenge in 2014, as it steps up efforts to promote financial literacy and investment awareness among young Tanzanians.
During the 2025/2026 season, the programme attracted 7,883 students from various educational institutions, with 10 advancing to the final stage of the competition.
Speaking at the DSE Scholar Investment Challenge 2025/2026 finals in Dar es Salaam, the exchange's Chief Executive Officer said the initiative seeks to equip young people with practical knowledge of capital markets, investment, savings and responsible financial decision-making.
The CEO said the growing participation reflected the importance of nurturing an investment culture among young people, who are critical to building a strong and competitive economy.
He noted that capital markets should not be regarded as the preserve of financial experts, but as an important part of the economy that provides investment opportunities for citizens while enabling companies to raise funds for business expansion, new projects and job creation.
The DSE has also continued to invest in technology through its Hisa Kiganjani platform, which is designed to make share trading services more accessible and widen participation in the capital market.
The CEO said the value of share transactions on the exchange reached TZS824.08 billion in the third quarter of 2026, representing a 231.2 per cent increase from TZS248.64 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
Market capitalisation also reached TZS40.57 trillion as of September 30, 2026.
He said the growth in trading activity and market value underscored the importance of continued investment in digital systems to improve access to capital market services.
However, he stressed that expanding investment opportunities must go hand in hand with financial education to ensure citizens understand both the potential returns and risks associated with investing.
The CEO said the DSE's objective was not to encourage young people to invest without adequate preparation, but to equip them with the knowledge to assess risks and make informed decisions based on their financial capacity and investment goals.
He said the Scholar Investment Challenge also contributes to the aspirations of Tanzania's Development Vision 2050, which seeks to build a competitive economy driven by innovation and wider economic opportunities for citizens.
The initiative is also part of the implementation of the DSE's 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, which focuses on expanding access to capital market services, strengthening digital systems and increasing investor participation.
Through the competition, students gain practical exposure to how capital markets operate, how information informs investment decisions and the relationship between investment returns and risks.
The CEO urged participants to share the knowledge acquired through the programme with their peers, families and communities, particularly on the importance of saving, investing and managing money responsibly.
He also called for stronger collaboration among educational institutions, banks, stockbrokers, companies and development partners to expand financial literacy and investment education across the country.
The exchange commended sponsors, partners, teachers, parents and educational institutions for supporting the programme and providing students with opportunities to learn about capital markets.
The CEO congratulated all 7,883 students who participated in the 2025/2026 season and wished the 10 finalists success in the final stage of the competition.
He said the programme's success should not be measured solely by the students who emerge as winners, but also by the financial knowledge participants acquire and how they apply it in their current and future lives.
The DSE reaffirmed its commitment to expanding financial education, improving digital services and strengthening partnerships to reach more potential investors and enable them to participate in the capital market with adequate knowledge and understanding.
The CEO said young people had an important role to play in building the economy of tomorrow by acquiring and applying financial knowledge today.