The Ministry of Finance is using sporting events to take financial education beyond offices and conference rooms, reaching entrepreneurs, students, businesspeople and other members of the public with practical lessons on saving, borrowing and investing.
The initiative was highlighted during the Capital City Marathon (CaCiMa), where Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office, Public Service Management and Good Governance, Ms Prisca Lwangili, commended the ministry for turning the sporting event into a platform for promoting financial literacy.
Ms Lwangili said such platforms provide an opportunity to reach people from different walks of life and equip them with knowledge to manage their resources and make informed financial decisions.
She made the remarks during the marathon held at the University of Dodoma (UDOM)'s Chimwaga grounds from October 31 to November 1, 2026.
Through experts from the Financial Sector Development Department and the Accountant General’s Department, the ministry provided participants with guidance on preparing budgets, managing income and expenditure, building savings and making sound financial decisions.
The education also covered investment opportunities through collective investment schemes managed by UTT AMIS, including how to assess potential returns and risks before committing money.
Participants were further advised on responsible borrowing, avoiding predatory loans and using insurance to protect their health, property and businesses. Financial planning for retirement was also among the topics addressed.
The outreach comes at a time when financial literacy is increasingly important in helping households and businesses make better use of available financial services and avoid poor financial decisions.
Ms Lwangili said the government's efforts to build an effective public service should also include promoting the health and well-being of public servants.
“Our objective as the Public Service is to ensure that public servants participate in various physical exercise initiatives to keep fit, maintain good health and improve their ability to serve citizens,” she said.
“As we continue implementing Vision 2050, it is important to work with different stakeholders in encouraging people to exercise for the benefit of their health and the nation.”
She said participation in sporting activities also helped raise awareness about the prevention of non-communicable diseases, contributing to broader efforts to improve public health.
For his part, the Ministry of Finance's Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr Lusius Mwenda, said CaCiMa offered more than an opportunity for physical exercise, providing a meeting point for people from different backgrounds.
He said the participation of families, particularly children, was encouraging because it helped introduce healthy lifestyles at an early age.
“The marathon provides a good opportunity to improve our health and build relationships among participants. It also allows us to interact with people from different communities,” he said.
“Another encouraging aspect is seeing families taking part, including young children, which helps develop a culture of exercise from an early age.”
The ministry's participation in CaCiMa is part of the implementation of the National Financial Education Master Plan, which seeks to improve public understanding of personal financial management, investment and the use of financial services.
The broader objective is to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills to manage their finances responsibly, make informed choices and build stronger economic foundations.