CRDB Bank Expands Reach Across Africa Through Three Landmark Collaborations For Sustainable And Inclusive Growth

CRDB Bank has announced three landmark partnerships with leading development finance institutions—FinDev Canada, DEG (KfW Group, Germany), and Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB)—marking a significant milestone in its mission to advance inclusive and sustainable finance across Africa. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the CRDB Bank Investors and Partners Forum, held alongside the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C. in partnership with Invest Africa.

The high-level forum brought together global investors and senior officials from Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including finance ministers, central bank governors, ambassadors, and Dr. Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, Permanent Secretary Treasury from Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance, who served as Guest of Honor.

East Africa continues to face persistent financing gaps for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), climate-smart agriculture, and affordable housing. CRDB Bank has positioned itself as a regional driver of transformation, mobilizing capital, expertise, and technology to deliver tangible benefits for communities and businesses. The agreements were formalized by CRDB Bank’s Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Abdulmajid Nsekela, alongside the partner CEOs: Thierno-Habib of ShafDB, Roland Siller of DEG, and Lori Kerr of FinDev Canada.

Through the partnership with FinDev Canada, CRDB Bank secured a USD 60 million sustainability-linked facility to expand financing for MSMEs, with a particular focus on women-owned businesses and climate-resilient projects. The collaboration with DEG will unlock a USD 50 million facility for SME sub-loans, supporting business growth, innovation, and job creation in Tanzania. Meanwhile, the partnership with Shelter Afrique Development Bank addresses the region’s housing deficit, starting with a USD 10 million facility for CRDB DRC, targeting affordable and climate-resilient housing solutions.

Speaking during the signing, Abdulmajid Nsekela emphasized the broader impact of these partnerships, stating, “These agreements reflect our shared vision of an Africa that is financially inclusive, food secure, and sustainably developed. Finance should be a force for good—unlocking potential, creating jobs, and driving long-term value for communities. By partnering with institutions like FinDev Canada, DEG, and Shelter Afrique, we are accelerating our vision to transform lives and develop economies to their fullest potential.”

Thierno-Habib Hann, CEO of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, highlighted the significance of affordable housing and urban infrastructure in promoting inclusive growth, noting that the partnership with CRDB Bank supports not just housing but dignity, opportunity, and regional integration through trade in construction materials. He added that ShafDB’s advisory services will help CRDB Bank teams address the integrated housing value chain in a de-risked manner, reinforcing their commitment to safe, affordable, and climate-resilient housing across the region.

Beyond financing, these collaborations are structured to ensure affordability, long-term sustainability, and measurable social impact, strengthening CRDB Bank’s strategic positioning while generating value for investors and communities. Lori Kerr, CEO of FinDev Canada, underlined the shared commitment to creating opportunities in local markets, supporting entrepreneurs, and driving sustainable development and climate action across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Investors and Partners Forum also served as a platform to explore regional transformation and investment opportunities in Tanzania, Burundi, and the DRC, reinforcing CRDB Bank’s role as a bridge between global finance and local impact. By leveraging its strong East African presence alongside the strategic reach of its Dubai Representative Office, CRDB Bank is establishing itself as a regional champion of inclusive finance and a trusted gateway to global markets. These partnerships underscore the bank’s ambition to expand its impact across the continent, promoting inclusive prosperity and sustainable growth.