Maendeleo Bank Plc has been named Fastest Growing SME Bank Tanzania 2026 by Global Banking & Finance Review, published by GBAF Publications Ltd.
The award recognizes the Bank's rapid growth in serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Tanzania.
The recognition reflects a deliberate strategic focus. Business growth, including SME growth, is one of three named pillars of Maendeleo Bank's Strategy 2025 to 2030 focusing on Talent and culture transformation, Technology transformation and Business growth.
Over the past year, the Bank has achieved several significant milestones. Notably, it has obtained a national license, expanded its branch network to six locations, including the recently established Arusha Branch, we ran our annual SME Clinic to identify training and product needs directly with SME customers, and developed a consolidated approach to SME product bundling, designed to give each SME customer visibility into the full range of relevant banking products in a single visit.
"This recognition belongs to our SME Unit and to frontline staff across our branch network, whose work with small and medium enterprises earned it," said Mr. Lomnyaki Saitabau, Managing Director of Maendeleo Bank Plc.
"It reflects a direction we set deliberately in our Strategy 2025 to 2030: build products and service around what SME customers actually need. We see it as encouragement to keep investing in that direction, and as a reason for Business owners across Tanzania to take a closer look at what we offer." He noted.
The award follows a strong first half of 2026 for the Bank overall. Net profit after tax rose 60.8 percent and income from fees and commissions rose 95.8 percent, both compared to the same period in 2025.
The Fastest Growing SME Bank award is presented annually by Global Banking & Finance Review, an international financial media platform published by GBAF Publications Ltd since 2010, covering banking, capital markets, investment, and financial technology across global markets. The award recognizes financial institutions that combine rapid growth with innovative, high-quality service for small and medium enterprises.
Maendeleo Bank Plc is a Tanzanian commercial bank founded in 2013 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Eastern and Coastal Diocese, and listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange.
The Bank serves Church institutions, retail, and business banking customers through six branches, with a strategic ambition to reach 0.5trn/- in total assets and Tier 1 status by 2030.