DAR ES SALAAM: THE Bank of Tanzania (BoT) is supporting initiatives aimed at developing ethical investment talent to strengthen market integrity and professionalism within the country’s financial sector.
Through the central bank unwavering support to backing platforms that expose students to real-world equity research and valuation, the central bank is positioning skills development as a key driver of market growth and stability.
BoT’s Head of Market Analysis, Surveillance and Monitoring Mr Mlekwa Kulwa said the central bank has remained forefront of such initiatives because a skilled workforce is essential for effective monetary policy transmission, sound financial markets and overall financial development.
“For the past years, we have been committed to supporting this initiative because we recognise that human capital development is a critical pillar for effective monetary policy transmission, sound financial markets and financial stability,” he said during the launch of the CFA Institute Research Challenge local finals for the 2025/26 cycle.
He said that such initiatives go beyond being a student contest as it immerses participants in practical equity research, rigorous valuation methods and professional standards, with strong emphasis on ethics.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global programme designed to equip and nurture young investment and finance professionals. It recruits participants from across the world, with teams progressing through local and regional competitions before reaching the global finals.
In Tanzania, the programme brings together university students from first to third year, who form fivemember teams and undergo six months of training focused on stock market analysis and company valuation.
This year’s cycle selected NMB Bank as the subject company, giving participants an opportunity to assess the lender’s business model, performance and investment prospects using global research standards.
He added that the participation by teams from the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Dodoma, Mzumbe University and the Institute of Finance Management is a strong testament to the growing depth of financial talent in the country.
CFA Society’s Country Administrator Ms Lucy Shantiwa said the programme enables students to conduct in-depth research on NMB Bank, analysing its financial performance, operations, industry dynamics and potential risks, before preparing professional investment recommendations.
“The winning team will represent Tanzania at the Africa regional stage against teams from South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Mauritius and Ethiopia, with the top performer progressing to the global finals scheduled to be held in the US in May this year,” she said.
This year, more than 300 students initially registered for the competition, but only 70 managed to reach the final stage.
NMB Bank’s Head of Brand and Marketing, Ms Rahma Mwapachu said the initiative sits at the intersection of academic rigour and real-world practice, helping prepare future finance leaders by anchoring technical excellence in ethics and discipline.
“We consider this both an honour and a strategic milestone,” she said, noting that strong institutions welcome scrutiny and benefit from independent market insights that strengthen accountability and performance.
Meanwhile, University of Dodoma Assistant Lecturer Mr Prosper Kawiche said the challenge adds strong value to students by exposing them to practical experience and mentorship from professionals already working in the financial industry.
“This is a major opportunity for them, considering they gain experience from professionals working in the industry,” he said.