📍 Four Points by Sheraton, Dar es Salaam | January 10, 2025
The Tanzania Association of Microfinance Institutions (TAMFI) kicked off the year with a powerful workshop dedicated to shaping the future of renewable energy financing, resonating the existing experience from Microfinance institutions and solar technology companies. Held on January 10, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, this gathering brought together leading financial institutions (FIs), Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs), and industry experts to discuss the progress of the Renewable Energy Financing Program.
The workshop was more than just discussions—it was a launchpad for innovation and strategic partnerships, driving renewable energy adoption in energy underserved communities.
In her opening address, TAMFI’s Executive Secretary, Ms. Winnie Terry, underscored the vital role of renewable energy in fostering financial inclusion and environmental sustainability. With over 14 financial institutions already financing solar-based energy solutions within the program, the movement towards a greener, more inclusive economy is well underway.
A deep dive into the program’s impressive milestones revealed:
✅ A loan portfolio of TZS 1.884 billion built over the past 12 months
✅ Over 358 clients directly impacted, benefiting more than 1,450 households
✅ Success stories, like a Serengeti livestock keeper using solar water pumps to combat drought and a Mara fisherman increasing his income with solar-powered fishing lights were presented.
The workshop wasn’t only just about celebrating success; it was also about breaking the encountered bottlenecks. Discussions pinpointed limited technical knowledge among financial service providers, inadequate funding, and logistical challenges as key obstacles. It was advised by the sector experts and experienced financing institutions to design flexible financing models in a retrofitting approach, engage renewable energy graduates as interns, grow them to officers and fruitful partnerships with renewable energy companies as among the key options to address the challenges.
Reputable solar technology suppliers, including SIMUSOLAR, Davis & Shirtliff, and ABHISHEIK presented solar-powered irrigation systems, cold storage units, and energy-efficient water pumps. These innovations are set to revolutionize rural economics and livelihoods by providing sustainable, cost-effective energy alternatives.
Closing the workshop, Ms. Terry urged participants to move beyond discussions and take decisive action. “It’s time to turn insights into impact, leveraging microfinance to power change in communities that need it most,” she emphasized.