By Business Insider Reporter
Exim Bank Tanzania has launched a fully automated supply chain finance platform, Exim Supply Chain, in a move aimed at easing persistent financing bottlenecks facing businesses – especially general enterprises (SMEs).
Unveiled yesterday at a press conference at the lender’s Dar es Salaam head office, the digital finance solution is also designed to accelerate cash flow across Tanzania’s business ecosystem – unlocking liquidity, shortening payment cycles, and enabling firms to operate and grow with greater speed and certainty.
The bank said in a presser that the new digital solution directly targets long-standing challenges such as delayed payments, high borrowing costs, fragmented supplier-buyer relationships, and limited access to working capital that is often trapped within supply chains.
For many SMEs, these constraints have slowed production cycles, restricted expansion, and weakened competitiveness despite rising demand in both domestic and regional markets.
With Exim Supply Chain, businesses can now request financing entirely online and receive funds in as little as 15 minutes once a complete application is submitted.
The platform integrates supplier financing, payable finance, LPO financing, distributor finance, and factoring into a single system that eliminates intermediaries and streamlines transactions from invoice submission to final settlement.
Importantly, financing is anchored on the creditworthiness of the buyer rather than the supplier, removing the need for additional collateral from SMEs, dealers, and service providers – an approach expected to significantly widen access to affordable credit for smaller players in supply chains.
The bank said the innovation reflects its broader shift toward digital-first banking and inclusive financial solutions that support real economy growth.
“The launch of Exim Supply Chain demonstrates our commitment to using technology to solve real business challenges. This fully automated solution enables businesses to access financing quickly, reduce working capital pressures, and strengthen relationships between buyers and suppliers,” said Chief Finance Officer Shani Kinswaga during the launch.
From a trade operations perspective, the bank noted that digitisation is key to removing friction points that have traditionally slowed down financing approvals and disbursements.
“By digitising the process, we reduce processing time and support smoother operations for SMEs and suppliers alike,” said Innocent Buzoya, Senior Manager for Trade Finance Business Operations & Service Delivery.
The bank also highlighted the wider commercial impact of the platform, particularly in strengthening trust and continuity across supply chains where delayed payments often strain relationships and disrupt operations.
“Suppliers and service providers can access financing on time without complex requirements, which helps maintain continuity in business operations and strengthens trust across the supply chain,” said Head of Transactional Banking, Ishaq Samailla.
Beyond efficiency gains, the platform is expected to improve liquidity circulation in the economy, enabling SMEs to take on larger contracts, fulfil orders faster, and reinvest in growth with fewer cash flow constraints. It also aligns with Exim Bank’s broader focus on trade finance, digital banking expansion, and financial inclusion, including empowerment initiatives for women and youth. Available through Exim Bank branches and its Trade Finance Unit, the bank has called on businesses to adopt the platform as part of a more connected, faster, and inclusive financing ecosystem.
