By Correspondent Joseph Mahumi, Mwanza
The Government has commended the Tanzania Women Accountants Association (TAWCA) for its growing contribution to the accounting profession and its emergence as an important institution supporting women’s economic empowerment and national development.
Deputy Minister for Finance, Mshamu Ali Munde, made the recognition while opening the ninth TAWCA conference at Malaika Resort in Mwanza on behalf of Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar.
Held under the theme “Leadership that Leaves a Legacy in the Digital Age: Innovation with Integrity for Sustainable Results,” the conference brought together women accountants and other stakeholders to discuss the future of financial management and professional leadership in an increasingly digital economy.
Munde said TAWCA’s growth from an initial group of 18 founders to more than 1,200 active members demonstrated the capacity of women professionals to build strong institutions and contribute meaningfully to Tanzania’s development.
He said the association had evolved beyond being solely a professional body to become an important platform for economic empowerment, human capital development and stronger financial management.
“TAWCA’s efforts to empower women economically clearly complement the Government’s drive to expand the use of technology in public financial management, strengthen transparency and curb the loss of public resources,” Munde said.
He added that the association’s work also supported the Government’s broader objective of promoting inclusive economic growth that benefits citizens at grassroots level.
One of TAWCA’s initiatives highlighted at the conference was its “Bado Naweza” programme, which has supported women through business training and financial empowerment.
According to Munde, the programme has provided business skills training to 101 young women, offered guidance to 208 women entrepreneurs and contributed to a 96 percent loan repayment rate.
The initiative has also helped increase the capital of TAWCA SACCOS to more than TSh520 million, strengthening members’ access to internally generated capital and improving their financial capacity.
The figures point to a broader role for professional associations such as TAWCA, which increasingly operate not only as platforms for professional networking but also as mechanisms for skills development, access to finance and entrepreneurship.
Munde pledged continued Government support for the association and called on government ministries and institutions, development partners, businesses and sponsors to work with TAWCA in implementing its programmes.
He also challenged delegates to use the conference to develop new and bold ideas on financial matters, strengthen intergenerational mentorship and identify practical measures to advance the accounting profession while upholding the highest standards of integrity.
For an accounting profession increasingly shaped by automation, data analytics and digital financial systems, the emphasis on integrity is particularly significant. Greater digitalisation can improve efficiency and transparency, but it also increases the importance of professional standards, accountability and responsible use of financial information.
TAWCA Chairperson CPA Mary Mabiti said the association’s journey had been built on collaboration, empowerment and investment in the professional capacity of women accountants.
Since its establishment in 2015, TAWCA has developed into a platform connecting women accounting professionals while supporting young people through training, internships and professional development programmes.
Mabiti said the association had continued to promote lifelong learning, innovation and the ability of professionals to adapt to changing conditions in the global business environment.
She attributed TAWCA’s progress to cooperation between the association, the Government, the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA), institutions, development partners and other stakeholders.
“The achievements made so far have been driven by collaboration between TAWCA, the Government, NBAA, various institutions, partners and stakeholders. Collective strength is essential in advancing the profession, empowering women and contributing to national development,” Mabiti said.
The association’s leadership also stressed the need for Tanzanian accounting professionals to learn from successful professional bodies elsewhere in Africa.
TAWCA Patron and NBAA Executive Director CPA Prof Siasa Mzenzi assured the association of continued cooperation and Government support in implementing programmes aimed at strengthening the accounting profession.
Prof Mzenzi urged TAWCA to benchmark its development against successful professional institutions and associations across Africa, using the experience to strengthen its own institutional capacity.
He said Tanzania could benefit from greater exchange of experience and best practices as it seeks to build a stronger, more inclusive community of accounting professionals capable of contributing to national economic development.
For TAWCA, the conference comes at a time when the accounting profession is being reshaped by digitalisation, changing regulatory requirements and the growing demand for professionals who can combine technical expertise with leadership and ethical judgement.
Its expansion from 18 founding members to more than 1,200 active members suggests that women accountants are becoming an increasingly organised force within Tanzania’s financial and business landscape.
The challenge now is to convert that growing professional network into greater influence in corporate governance, public financial management, entrepreneurship, investment and economic policy. The message from Mwanza was therefore broader than professional advancement. As Tanzania accelerates digital transformation and seeks more inclusive economic growth, women accountants are positioning themselves to play a larger role in determining how financial resources are managed, businesses are governed and economic opportunities are created.
