IFC celebrates its First Tanzanian Shilling Bond Issuance at London Stock Exchange

July 24, 2026

London Stock Exchange today welcomed the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to mark IFC’s TZS 265.2 billion (US$100 million equivalent) bond issuance.

The transaction marks IFC’s inaugural Tanzanian shilling (TZS) bond and the largest TZS-denominated issuance to date in international capital markets.

The team celebrating on the balcony at LSEG during the welcome ceremony.

The bond mobilises international capital to support a local currency financing facility equivalent to US$100 million for NMB Bank, enabling the expansion of lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Tanzania.

Greater local currency financing is part of the World Bank Group’s focus on reducing foreign exchange risk for businesses and investors. Since fiscal year 2021, IFC provided local currency financing in more than 65 currencies.

The investment is expected to support private sector growth in Tanzania by expanding NMB’s lending to MSMEs, including women-owned MSMEs, thereby improving access to finance for a segment that plays a critical role in economic activity, employment, and job creation.

By connecting international capital markets with local currency financing, the transaction advances Tanzania’s Vision 2050 aspiration of becoming a trillion-dollar economy driven by private sector-led growth. Expanded access to local currency finance will help businesses invest, grow, and create jobs while protecting them from currency risk. The transaction also supports IFC’s broader efforts to deepen local capital markets and expand access to finance for underserved businesses.

“This transaction is a strong vote of confidence in Tanzania’s economy and our reform agenda. By connecting international capital with local businesses through long-term local currency financing, it supports entrepreneurship, job creation, and private sector growth – key drivers of Tanzania’s Vision 2050 ambition to become a competitive trillion-dollar economy.”

Khamis M. Omar

Minister of Finance, United Republic of Tanzania

“IFC’s inaugural Tanzanian shilling offshore bond represents an important step in connecting international investors with Tanzania’s growth story. By mobilising global capital into local currency financing for MSMEs, we are helping businesses invest, grow, and create jobs while advancing the development of Tanzania’s capital markets. This transaction demonstrates the power of innovative financing solutions to unlock private sector-led growth and economic opportunity.”

Mary Porter Peschka

IFC’s Division Director for Eastern Africa

“This milestone demonstrates the value created when global capital is aligned with national development priorities. NMB Bank is honoured to channel the equivalent of US$100 million in long-term shilling financing to MSMEs, including women-owned businesses, enabling them to invest, grow and create jobs without foreign-exchange risk. It is a responsibility we carry with pride as we help turn Tanzania’s Vision 2050 into opportunity for more people.”

Ruth Zaipuna

NMB Bank Plc Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilising private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. Stay connected with IFC on social media.

NMB Bank Plc is a publicly listed commercial bank incorporated in the United Republic of Tanzania and listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange. The bank provides retail, wholesale and treasury services to individuals, farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises, corporations, institutions, the Government and public-sector entities.

NMB serves more than 10 million customer accounts through a network of more than 250 branches, over 75,000 NMB Pesa Wakala outlets and an expanding portfolio of digital banking platforms.