• Tanzania’s central bank has taken a stake in Africa Finance Corporation
• The move gives access to long-term infrastructure financing and technical support
• AFC continues to expand its shareholder base while maintaining strong credit ratings

The Bank of Tanzania has joined Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as a sovereign shareholder. The investment, whose size was not disclosed, was announced on March 18, 2026.

The move gives Tanzania access to AFC’s financing tools for projects in sectors such as industrialization, energy, and logistics. It also opens access to budget support facilities and trade finance lines for local financial institutions, with expected effects on liquidity. In addition, the central bank will be able to draw on AFC’s technical expertise in structuring large-scale projects.

AFC has already been active in Tanzania. The institution has provided financing to the government through the Ministry of Finance and Planning and has extended trade finance lines to local banks to support commercial activity.

“Africa Finance Corporation has demonstrated a strong track record in mobilising long-term capital for infrastructure and industrial development across the continent. Our investment reflects confidence in AFC’s model and aligns with Tanzania’s priorities to strengthen economic resilience, support private sector growth, and advance sustainable development through strategic partnerships,” said Bank of Tanzania Governor Emmanuel Tutuba.

The entry of the Bank of Tanzania comes at a time when AFC holds an “A” credit rating with a positive outlook from S&P Global Ratings, reflecting a strong financial structure and solid access to international capital markets.

Since its creation in 2007, AFC says it has mobilized nearly $19 billion across 36 African countries and now counts 48 member states.

As of the end of 2025, the institution had 60 shareholders, including 23 sovereign entities and state-owned companies, 21 financial institutions, and several investment funds. Despite this diversity, S&P notes that the shareholder base remains concentrated, with Nigerian entities accounting for about three-quarters of total holdings.

SG