Proposal for Tailored Financing Products for Farmers and Cooperatives

TLDR

• The Cooperative Bank (Coop Bank) branch in Kagera Region was officially launched on August 18, 2026, by Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Dr. Bashiru Ally Kakurwa.
• This new branch is the bank's seventh in the country and the first in the Lake Zone, aiming to improve access to affordable financing for farmers, livestock keepers, fishers, and cooperatives.
• Dr. Bashiru emphasized the importance of cooperatives in mobilizing capital and expanding production, urging them to focus on value addition in various sectors.
• He encouraged young people and women to join or establish cooperatives to enhance their access to credit and investment opportunities.
• The minister called for Coop Bank to create financing products that reflect the realities of those in the agricultural and fisheries value chains, ensuring loan conditions are suitable for borrowers.