CRDB Bank Seals Strategic Global Partnerships to Drive Inclusive Growth in Africa

Speaking at the signing ceremony, CRDB Bank Group CEO and Managing Director, Abdulmajid Nsekela, described the partnerships as transformational.

In a landmark step toward reshaping Africa’s financial landscape, CRDB Bank has signed three major partnership agreements with leading international development finance institutions — FinDev Canada, DEG (KfW Group, Germany), and Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB). These alliances mark a significant milestone in CRDB Bank’s transformation journey, reinforcing its commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable, and equitable economic growth across the African continent.

The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were formalized during the CRDB Bank Investors and Partners Forum, held alongside the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C. Organized in collaboration with Invest Africa, the high-level event brought together global investors, senior policymakers, and government representatives from Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Distinguished attendees included the Minister of Finance of Burundi, the Minister of Information of the DRC, the Governors of the Central Banks of Tanzania and Burundi, and the Ambassadors of Tanzania and Burundi to the United States. The Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, who led Tanzania’s delegation to the IMF and World Bank meetings, graced the event as Guest of Honour.

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Transforming Finance Through Strategic Global Partnerships

The three agreements represent CRDB Bank’s mission to strengthen financial inclusion, support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and promote sustainable urban development and green financing across East and Central Africa.

The partnerships include:

• FinDev Canada: A USD 60 million sustainability-linked facility to boost financing for MSMEs — with a strong focus on women-led enterprises, youth entrepreneurs, and climate-resilient projects.

• DEG (KfW Group, Germany): A USD 50 million facility dedicated to expanding access to credit for MSMEs, fostering business innovation, job creation, and industrial growth in Tanzania.

• Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB): A USD 10 million facility for CRDB Bank DRC, aimed at addressing Africa’s growing affordable housing deficit while laying the foundation for future collaboration in Tanzania and Burundi.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, CRDB Bank Group CEO and Managing Director, Abdulmajid Nsekela, described the partnerships as transformational. “These partnerships reflect our shared vision of an Africa that is financially inclusive, food secure, and sustainably developed,” he said.

“At CRDB Bank, we believe finance should be a force for good — unlocking potential, creating jobs, and driving long-term value for communities. By joining hands with institutions like FinDev Canada, DEG, and Shelter Afrique, we are accelerating our mission to transform lives and economies. This is more than capital — it is confidence in Africa’s future,” Nsekela added.

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Financing Equity, Innovation, and Sustainable Development

Each of these collaborations has been structured to ensure long-term sustainability, affordability, and measurable social impact. Beyond the funding commitments, the partnerships are designed to enhance institutional capacity, leverage digital technology, and mobilize global expertise for inclusive growth.

Lori Kerr, CEO of FinDev Canada, emphasized that the partnership is rooted in shared values. “FinDev Canada’s collaboration with CRDB Bank is built on our mutual commitment to creating opportunity where it’s needed most. By deepening our cooperation, we’re mobilising capital to invest in local markets, entrepreneurs, and communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. This MOU strengthens co-investment and long-term impact in sectors that advance sustainable development and climate action,” she said.

Similarly, Roland Siller, CEO of DEG, noted that supporting Africa’s growing private sector through MSME development is central to DEG’s mission. “By empowering small businesses, we are fostering local value chains, enabling innovation, and generating employment — the true engines of economic transformation,” he said.

Thierno-Habib Hann, CEO of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, highlighted the social and economic importance of affordable housing. “At ShafDB, we believe that access to housing is not just an economic goal — it’s a social imperative. Our partnership with CRDB Bank reflects our commitment to channeling capital toward impact, equity, and regional integration. Together, we are financing dignity, opportunity, and resilience,” he said.

Hann further noted that the partnership will begin with CRDB Bank DRC but will expand to Tanzania and Burundi. “Our advisory services will help strengthen CRDB Bank’s housing finance team, enabling them to manage the housing value chain efficiently while reducing risk,” he explained.

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A Regional Vision for Inclusive Prosperity

The CRDB Investors and Partners Forum served as more than just a signing event — it became a platform to explore investment opportunities in East Africa, particularly in Tanzania, Burundi, and the DRC. The dialogue reinforced CRDB Bank’s role as a bridge between global capital and local impact, enabling investors to directly contribute to the region’s socio-economic transformation.

With its strong footprint in East Africa and the strategic expansion of its Dubai Representative Office, CRDB Bank continues to position itself as a regional leader in inclusive and sustainable banking. The Bank’s operations align with the broader goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of financial inclusion, green energy, housing, and gender equality.

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Bridging Global Finance and Local Impact

By leveraging partnerships with world-class development financiers, CRDB Bank is expanding its ability to deliver impact-driven financial solutions to millions of individuals and businesses. The Bank’s collaboration model integrates financial innovation, environmental responsibility, and community development, ensuring that economic growth translates into tangible social progress.

“Through these partnerships,” Nsekela said, “CRDB Bank is reaffirming its belief that Africa’s growth story must be written by Africans — but supported through global solidarity, trust, and shared ambition.”

The agreements with FinDev Canada, DEG, and Shelter Afrique Development Bank mark not only an infusion of capital but also a renewed commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable financial ecosystem across Africa — one that empowers entrepreneurs, strengthens communities, and drives progress from the grassroots to the global stage.