from ALLOYCE KIMBUNGA in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Tanzania Bureau
DAR-ES-SALAAM, (CAJ News) – COOPERATIVE and Rural Development Bank (CRDB) Bank has secured a US$300 million syndicated term loan after attracting commitments of about US$744 million from international lenders, underscoring strong demand for exposure to Tanzania’s banking sector.
The facility is the largest refinancing of the bank’s international syndicated loan programme since its launch in 2022 and is double the original US$150 million target.
Intesa Sanpaolo and Investec Bank acted as coordinators and bookrunners for the transaction, marking the fifth consecutive year the two institutions have partnered with CRDB Bank on its annual syndicated financing programme.
The syndication attracted 34 financial institutions from Europe, the United Kingdom, the Gulf region and Africa, comprising commercial banks and development finance institutions.
Marc Köhne, Head of Africa Leveraged Finance at Investec, said the successive refinancing rounds had attracted broader participation and larger commitments.
“The strong response to this year’s syndication shows both the quality of CRDB Bank’s franchise and investor belief in the opportunities across East Africa,” he said.
Gustaaf Eerenstein, Syndication Director at Intesa Sanpaolo, said the transaction highlighted growing international lender interest in Africa’s banking sector and the importance of well-capitalised financial institutions in supporting trade, investment and economic development.
The 2026 facility introduces a three-year tranche alongside the existing one-year and two-year tenors, extending CRDB’s maturity profile and diversifying its funding base.
The longer-dated tranche attracted development finance institutions seeking to support sustainable long-term growth in the region. Existing lenders increased their commitments, while new institutions joined the facility.
Leanne Large, Head of Investec Distribution and Loan Syndication, said investor participation had strengthened consistently since the inaugural transaction, with larger allocations and growing appetite for longer tenors.
Tanzania’s largest banking group has approximately TZS24.3 trillion in assets and market shares of about 29 percent in both assets and deposits as of financial year 2025.
CRDB has expanded into Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while also establishing a representative office in Dubai.
Dr Abdulmajid Nsekela, Group CEO of CRDB Bank, said the facility reinforced the bank’s position in international funding markets and provided flexibility to support customers and economies across its operating markets.
Proceeds will fund CRDB’s general corporate requirements, liquidity management and continued lending expansion in Tanzania and its regional operations.
The funding will also strengthen the bank’s capacity to support clients operating along key trade and investment corridors across East and Central Africa.
– CAJ News