Across East Africa, a new economic reality is emerging—one defined by borderless trade, rising mobility, and deeper regional integration.
As businesses expand beyond national boundaries and individuals live and work across countries, the need for seamless, cross-border banking has never been greater.
In this episode of Living Briskly in East Africa, CEO East Africa Magazine’s Executive Editor, Muhereza Kyamutetera, sits down with Zahid Mustafa, CEO of I&M Bank Tanzania, to unpack one of the region’s most compelling banking transformation stories.
From navigating legacy challenges to building one of Tanzania’s fastest-evolving banks, Zahid shares how I&M Bank Tanzania has undergone a strategic turnaround anchored on four key pillars:
📎 Fixing credit and risk fundamentals
📎 Investing in people and leadership capability
📎 Adopting a focused, differentiated business model
📎 Leveraging digital lending to scale inclusion
At the heart of this transformation is I&M’s Brisk platform—a bold response to the realities of a borderless East African economy, enabling customers to transact, borrow, and grow seamlessly across markets.
This conversation goes beyond banking. It is a masterclass in leadership, culture, and adaptability, drawing from Zahid’s 30-year career across global markets—from Citigroup to Barclays/Absa and now I&M.
Key Topics Covered:
📌 The turnaround journey of I&M Bank Tanzania
📌 How digital lending is driving financial inclusion at scale
📌 The rise of borderless banking in East Africa
📌 Why regional integration is reshaping financial services
📌 Leadership lessons from managing across cultures and markets
📌 How to build high-performing teams in evolving economies
📌 What the future of banking in Africa looks like
Why This Matters: With intra-East African trade growing rapidly and millions of people operating across borders, financial institutions must evolve. I&M Bank is positioning itself as a regional partner for growth, supporting SMEs, corporates, and individuals in a fast-moving, interconnected economy.
About the Series: #LivingBrisklyInEastAfrica explores how people, businesses, and institutions are adapting to a more integrated, opportunity-driven region—powered not only by financial innovation, but also by the hospitality, tourism, and physical infrastructure that enable movement, connection, and commerce across borders.
