Stanbic Bank Tanzania has announced its commitment to financing businesses across the coffee value chain, from farmers and processors to exporters. This move aims to increase production and earnings from the crop in Tanzania. The bank made the announcement during the Kahawa Festival in Moshi, which took place from October 8 to 10, 2026. The festival provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the coffee industry and explore opportunities for growth.
Tanzania's coffee export earnings have seen a significant increase, reaching $396 million in the year ending July 2026, up from $164.3 million in 2022. According to the Bank of Tanzania's Monthly Economic Review for August 2026, this growth in export earnings is a positive trend for the country's economy. The government aims to increase annual coffee production to 300,000 tonnes by 2030, from about 81,000 tonnes in the 2024/25 season. To achieve this target, the government and stakeholders are working to expand production, improve quality, and increase local processing.
Stanbic Bank Tanzania's Head of Agribusiness, Benifrida Tarimo, emphasized that financing would help businesses invest in production, processing, and export operations. She stated that the bank's role is to be a growth partner behind Tanzania's coffee industry, connecting producers, aggregators, processors, and commodity traders with the finance they need to invest in production, add value, and compete for export markets. The bank's financing solutions cover farm expansion, mechanization, processing facilities, warehouses, working capital, and trade finance.
The bank's support could enable farmers to improve productivity and quality, cooperatives to pay growers promptly, and exporters to manage the period between shipping consignments and receiving payments. Additionally, Stanbic Bank aims to encourage more local processing, packaging, and branding to increase the value retained in Tanzania rather than exporting mainly unprocessed green coffee beans. This approach could help create jobs and increase export earnings by developing products and brands for international markets.
China is among the markets offering new opportunities for Tanzanian coffee exporters. From May 1, 2026, China introduced zero-tariff treatment for imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. Eligible coffee beans from these countries can also access the Chinese market under streamlined customs arrangements, subject to applicable requirements. Stanbic Bank, a member of Standard Bank Group, said its network would help connect Tanzanian exporters with buyers, roasters, and distributors in China and other international markets.
Stanbic Bank has also enabled clients to settle trade transactions with Chinese partners directly in yuan. This move is expected to facilitate trade between Tanzania and China, making it easier for exporters to do business with Chinese partners. The bank's involvement in the coffee value chain is seen as a positive development for the industry, as it could help increase production, improve quality, and boost export earnings.
The government's target of increasing annual coffee production to 300,000 tonnes by 2030 requires significant investment and support from stakeholders, including financial institutions like Stanbic Bank. With the bank's commitment to financing businesses across the coffee value chain, Tanzania's coffee industry is poised for growth and increased contribution to the economy. The industry's growth is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and create new opportunities for stakeholders.
Key points
- Stanbic Bank Tanzania commits to financing coffee businesses across the value chain to boost production and earnings.
- Tanzania's coffee export earnings reach $396 million in the year ending July 2026, up from $164.3 million in 2022.
- The government aims to increase annual coffee production to 300,000 tonnes by 2030, from about 81,000 tonnes in the 2024/25 season.
