Marking a major milestone in its journey of transformation, CRDB Bank Plc celebrated its 30th anniversary with yet another historic achievement.

At the Bank’s 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Arusha yesterday, shareholders unanimously approved a dividend payout of 65/- per share, the highest-ever in the Bank’s history. 

The total dividend declared for the 2024 financial year stands at 170bn/-, underscoring the Bank’s robust financial performance and enduring commitment to delivering sustainable value.

Speaking during the AGM, convened in a hybrid format to reflect the Bank’s digital agility, CRDB Bank Board Chairman, Dr. Ally Laay, expressed pride in the Bank’s remarkable journey over the past three decades. “Celebrating 30 years of banking excellence, this record dividend is not only a testament to our financial strength but a symbolic gift to our shareholders who have journeyed with us through transformation, innovation, and growth,” Dr. Laay stated.

He noted that the 65/- per share dividend, a 30 percent increase from last year, reflects the continued rise in earnings per share to 211.5/- in 2024, fuelled by the Bank’s strong operating model, forward-thinking leadership, and committed workforce. 

CRDB Bank’s profit after tax grew by 30 percent to 551bn/-, affirming the effectiveness of its long-term strategy and operational efficiency. Dr. Laay also commended the Bank’s subsidiaries for their growing contribution to Group performance, contributing 6 percent to Group PAT. 

In FY 2024, CRDB Bank Burundi recorded PAT of 40.3bn/-, and CRDB Insurance, in its inaugural year, posting a PAT of 343m/-, strengthening non-interest income. Meanwhile, CRDB Bank DRC continues to show promising momentum, on track to break even earlier than projected.

Delivering his remarks, Group CEO and Managing Director, Mr. Abdulmajid Mussa Nsekela, reflected on the Bank’s 30-year legacy and outlined the roadmap for the future: “As we celebrate three decades of empowering communities and building futures, our 2024 performance affirms that we are just getting started. The journey ahead is one of deeper inclusion, digital transformation, and regional impact.”

Nsekela highlighted the Bank’s asset growth to 16.7trn/- (+25.3 percent) and loan book expansion to 10.4 trillion (+22.7 percent), attributed to customer-centric innovations and strategic lending. The Bank expanded access in underserved communities through inclusive offerings like the Sadaka Account, and micro-lending via digital partnerships.

He also referenced the Bank’s involvement in transformative regional projects, such as the graphite industrial initiative with DBSA and IDC, positioning CRDB as a catalyst for value addition and industrialization across East and Central Africa.

The Bank’s cost-to-income ratio improved to 45.7 percent, and non-performing loans remained low at 2.9 percent, indicating disciplined cost management and strong credit quality. Investments in enterprise architecture, cyber resilience, and core banking infrastructure including the Enterprise Service Bus (ESB), ensured operational reliability in an increasingly digital environment.

Nsekela expressed gratitude to shareholders for their confidence, reaffirming the Bank’s long-term vision: “This 30th anniversary is a defining moment. Our mission remains unchanged, to be a trusted, impactful, and future-ready financial institution for generations to come.”

In line with good governance, shareholders approved the reappointment of Price Water Coopers (PWC) as the Bank's External Auditors for the 2025 financial year. Additionally, shareholders resolved that the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 23rd May 2026 at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC). 

The AGM also saw the re-election of three Board Members including Abdul Ally Mohamed, Grace Joachim, and Dr. Donald Mmari to represent shareholders with less than 1 percent ownership,

Also, Dr. Fred Msemwa, has been reappointed to represent shareholders with 1 percent–10 percent ownership while Judica King’ori has been appointed as an Independent Director.

In a heartfelt statement, the Ambassador of Tanzania to Burundi, Gelasius Byakanwa, praised the Bank’s evolution: “CRDB Bank has become a good example of shareholder value and financial integrity. Its consistent dividend track record and strong performance on the stock market are proof of its unmatched leadership and resilience over the past 30 years.”

As the Bank looks forward to the next chapter, the 30-year milestone serves not only as a celebration of success but also a renewed pledge to create a more inclusive, innovative, and climate-conscious financial future for Tanzania and beyond.