DAR ES SALAAM, 16 SEPTEMBER 2026, The Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) in partnership with the East African Development Bank (EADB), has launched a TZS 50 billion financing facility designed to expand access to affordable capital for smallholder farmers and small businesses operating across Tanzania’s agriculture, livestock and fisheries value chains.
The facility is backed by a TZS 50 billion loan from EADB to TADB and is intended to stimulate investment, increase productivity and promote value addition across agricultural production, processing and trade. It will also support enabling infrastructure that facilitates access to markets throughout the agriculture value chain, including livestock and fisheries.
Through the new financing facility eligible beneficiaries will have access to affordable loans, flexible financing terms and improved access to capital to support investments in production, modern inputs and equipment, processing, value addition, storage, transportation and market access, in line with the product’s eligibility requirements.
The facility is expected to increase production and productivity, enhance the value of agricultural, livestock and fisheries products, strengthen value chains, improve competitiveness, create employment opportunities and unlock new avenues for economic growth, particularly in rural communities.
The financing product was launched in Dar es Salaam by TADB Managing Director, Mr. Frank Naybundege, and EADB Acting Director General, Mr. Benard Mono, as part of the institutions’ broader collaboration to mobilise and channel development finance towards productive sectors, particularly agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Naybundege said access to affordable finance remains a critical catalyst for increasing productivity, promoting value addition and strengthening the competitiveness of businesses in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors.
“This facility is part of TADB’s efforts to expand access to affordable capital for farmers and small businesses, enabling them to increase production and productivity, add value to their products and strengthen their participation in value chains,” said Mr. Naybundege.
He said TADB would ensure that the financing reaches its intended beneficiaries and is directed towards productive activities, enabling them to make investments that are aligned with their business cycles and production needs.
“We want these funds to serve as a catalyst for production and value addition. When a farmer or business owner obtains financing on terms that enable them to invest, increase production, process their products and access markets, they add value to their operations and contribute to the growth of both their businesses and the national economy,” he said.
For his part, EADB Acting Director General, Mr. Benard Mono, said the partnership reflects EADB’s commitment to expanding access to development finance and directing capital towards sectors with strong potential to drive economic growth and improve people’s livelihoods.
He said the partnership with TADB is intended to enable smallholder farmers and small businesses to access the capital they need to increase production, add value and enhance the competitiveness of their products in the market.
“This partnership channels financial resources to areas with significant potential to drive economic growth, create employment and improve people’s livelihoods, while opening up greater opportunities for small businesses to participate in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries value chains,” said Mr. Mono.
The facility will support a broad range of activities across the agriculture, livestock and fisheries value chains, from production to processing, value addition and marketing. The availability of medium-term financing will allow beneficiaries to undertake investments that require adequate time to generate income and repay the loans.
The initiative is also expected to stimulate investment in rural areas, reduce dependence on the sale of raw commodities, increase the value of agricultural, livestock and fisheries products and strengthen the capacity of small businesses to participate in competitive markets.
Mr. Naybundege said the financing facility is aligned with the Government’s priorities to develop productive, value-adding and competitive agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors capable of competing in both domestic and international markets.
He added that the initiative supports the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP IV: 2026/27–2030/31) and the Tanzania Agricultural Master Plan 2050, which place emphasis on increasing productivity, promoting value addition, attracting investment and strengthening competitiveness across productive sectors.
“By facilitating access to finance, we are creating transformation opportunities for farmers and small businesses from selling raw products to adding value, and from small-scale activities to more productive and competitive businesses,” he said.
Mr. Naybundege thanked EADB for facilitating the financing and commended the teams from TADB, EADB and the Government for their contribution to the preparation and launch of the facility.
He reaffirmed TADB’s commitment to ensuring that the facility is implemented effectively and delivers tangible and positive outcomes for its intended beneficiaries. He also underscored the Bank’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with EADB in advancing the development of productive sectors with a particular focus on agricultural transformation.
The TZS 50 billion SME financing facility demonstrates the shared commitment of the two development finance institutions to expanding access to affordable capital, increasing productivity and value addition, and empowering farmers and small businesses to play a greater role in the transformation of Tanzania’s agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors.
