Empowering Zanzibar Through Water Loans: TAMFI and UWEZESHAJI SACCOS Forge a Strategic Partnership

July 3, 2025
| No Comments
| News, Partners & Members

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — May 2025
 In a significant step toward advancing access to clean water and sanitation in Zanzibar, the Tanzania Association of Microfinance Institutions (TAMFI), through its Water Sanitation and Sustainability (WSS) Project, has conducted a transformative training session for members of UWEZESHAJI SACCOS Zanzibar. The training, held at the TAMFI offices, Uporoto Streets 54a, Kinondoni-Dar es Salaam in May 29th –30th, 2025, aimed to build the capacity of UWEZESHAJI SACCOS to deliver effective water and sanitation financial products at Zanzibar.

The training emphasized four core areas:

  • Developing tailor-made WSS loan products for clients across Zanzibar.
  • Understanding the specific needs of their customers and aligning offerings accordingly.
  • Sales and marketing strategies for effective outreach of water and sanitation loans.
  • Handling client concerns and objections to ensure clients’ satisfaction.

In a landmark development during the training program, TAMFI and UWEZESHAJI SACCOS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on implementing WSS initiatives. The agreement marks the beginning of a focused effort to provide water loans that will directly uplift households in the Zanzibar islands by improving water access and sanitation.

Ms. Winnie Terry, Executive Secretary of TAMFI, has been highlighting the broader vision of microfinance institutions. “Providing loans for businesses, education, or housing is important,” she said, “but it is equally vital to offer social loans that respond to the pressing needs of communities—such as clean water access. These not only foster deeper community engagement but also present a viable financial portfolio, with evidence showing repayment rates of over 90%.”

The WSS project continues to demonstrate that strategic financial inclusion can be powerful tools for development. Through capacity-building and strong partnerships, TAMFI and UWEZESHAJI SACCOS are setting a new precedent for how microfinance can be a driver of sustainable, community-centered growth in Tanzania.