Afreximbank Channels $10 Million Through Azania Bank to Boost Financing for Tanzania’s Export-Focused Small Businesses

By Kekeletso Nkele, small.news Assistant

(small.news) — The African Export-Import Bank has extended a $10 million financing facility to Azania Bank to expand credit access for small and medium-sized enterprises operating across Tanzania’s export value chains, the two institutions announced on September 18, reports Daily News Tanzania.

The facility is provided under Afreximbank’s Export SME Development Program, a continental initiative designed to address financing constraints that prevent small businesses from expanding production and entering regional and international markets. Afreximbank’s 2025 Annual Trade Development Effectiveness Report shows the program extended more than $960 million to over 58,000 SMEs across Africa in the prior year, with a stated priority on women- and youth-led enterprises.

How the Facility Works

Azania Bank will on-lend the funds directly to eligible Tanzanian SMEs involved in export-oriented activities. Qualifying sectors include agriculture, manufacturing, trade, technology, logistics , and value-added exports. Loans will be available for working capital needs and medium-term financing covering business expansion and the acquisition of productive assets, as well as pre- and post-export activities.

The announcement did not specify a minimum or maximum loan size for individual businesses, nor did it publicly detail the application process or eligibility criteria.

Support Beyond Financing

Participating businesses will receive business development support from Afreximbank in addition to financing, including export-readiness training, financial management advisory services, market-linkage opportunities, digitalization support, and access to SME-focused knowledge and networking platforms. Afreximbank described the additional interventions as aimed at improving enterprise resilience and competitiveness while enabling businesses to scale sustainably.

An Afreximbank representative said SMEs are the backbone of Africa’s productive economy and are critical to driving industrialization, value addition, and trade-led growth. However, many businesses still face significant barriers to accessing financing, market opportunities, and the technical support needed to scale and compete effectively.

Azania Bank said the facility would strengthen its capacity to provide Tanzanian SMEs with the financing they need to grow their businesses, invest in productive capacity and pursue export opportunities.

AfCFTA Opportunity Is a Key Driver

Both institutions said the facility is designed in part to position Tanzanian small business owners to take advantage of opportunities emerging from the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly through increased participation in cross-border trade and regional supply networks. The AfCFTA, which covers 54 African countries, creates a combined market of more than 1.3 billion people and is a stated priority for Afreximbank’s SME financing work across the continent.

The partnership aligns with Tanzania’s broader national priorities to increase domestic production, promote value addition, diversify exports, and strengthen regional trade integration.