Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance published an update on its financial education outreach in Karatu District in the Arusha Region, where a ministry-led team visited the district to educate residents on financial matters and encourage the use of formal, registered financial services in rural areas. The Karatu District Commissioner urged citizens to use registered financial institutions that comply with laws, regulations and procedures, citing problems linked to lenders that do not follow legal requirements and complaints from borrowers who have lost pledged assets. The ministry’s programme in Karatu is intended to reach entrepreneurs, employees, financial service providers and microfinance service promoters, tourism stakeholders and beneficiaries of the councils’ 10% loan scheme, with sessions covering personal financial management, saving, credit, insurance, investment and retirement planning across wards including Endabash, Mang’ola, Baray, Rhotia Kati and Mbulumbulu. The outreach is presented as part of the Financial Sector Development Master Plan 2020/21–2029/30 and the National Financial Education Programme 2020/21–2025/26, which targets reaching 80% of citizens by 2025/26. The ministry framed the Karatu activities as part of the third phase of the financial education rollout that began in January 2025, with planned coverage including Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza and Mara, following a first phase launched in May 2024 that reached 12 regions and 62 local government authorities.

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