DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 6 – Stanbic Bank Tanzania is increasing its focus on small businesses and retail banking after reporting stronger financial results in 2025, helped by improving economic activity across the country.
The bank’s profit after tax rose to $51.2 million compared with the previous year. Total assets grew by 15%, customer deposits increased by 17%, and loans to customers climbed 28%.
Chief Executive Manzi Rwegasira said the results reflect a stronger economy, with sectors such as transport, logistics, mining and tourism showing better performance. He said businesses are becoming more confident, leading to higher borrowing, investment and spending.
Rwegasira also said the bank’s performance was supported by careful cost control and responsible lending. Stanbic’s cost-to-income ratio was 43.6% in 2025, while its non-performing loan ratio stood at 2.4%, below the industry average of 2.8%.
The bank now plans to expand further in the SME and retail banking markets, where it sees strong growth opportunities. Over the past three years, Stanbic has increased its branches from 15 to 20, added more than 800 banking agents and continued investing in digital banking services to reach more customers.
Rwegasira said the bank changed its approach to SME lending after facing losses in the past. Since then, it has improved its strategy and says both its SME and retail businesses are now making steady profits.
He added that many small businesses still operate informally, making it harder for them to access loans. According to him, policies that encourage businesses to formalise would improve access to finance and lower lending risks.
Stanbic also reaffirmed its support for major infrastructure projects, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Rwegasira said the bank backed the project after carrying out its own review of its management and community engagement proc
