Tanzania's Ministry of Finance, working with local financial institutions, delivered financial education in Kilimanjaro Region and urged citizens to avoid taking loans from unregistered institutions or informal groups in order to reduce exposure to predatory lending. During sessions in Moshi Vijijini, council director Shadrack Mhagama said some providers are offering financial services without registration and that many residents participate in groups not formally registered under the Microfinance Services Act 2018. The outreach advised financial service providers to register their businesses, called on borrowers to verify a lender’s legal status before applying for a loan, and encouraged citizens to report unregistered street-level microfinance groups to relevant authorities including Community Development Officers at district and regional levels. The Ministry’s Financial Sector Development Department said the programme also covered savings discipline, safe places to keep money, and how to recognise and avoid harmful loan products. The expert team reported delivering sessions at Mbokomu Secondary School and to women’s groups, small entrepreneurs and villagers in Mbokomu and Uru Mashariki wards in Moshi Municipality.

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