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AKIBA Commercial Bank commenced operations in August 1997 as an initiative of over 300 Tanzanian entrepreneurs who were mostly inspired to move into microfinance by the moral and political concern for the plight of Tanzanians, as opposed to the overall commercial attraction. They shared a strong conviction that in AKIBA they would have the vehicle with which they could reach and touch the lives of the previously un-banked and underserved men and women of Tanzania. The group?s vision and mission was to support the emergence of Tanzanian businesses through the provision of financial services at all levels, by a Tanzanian-owned commercial bank that understood Tanzanians and was committed to Tanzania. This origin therefore gives AKIBA very firm and deep roots in Tanzania.

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