Microfinance Update: Delegation of Powers and Functions
Legal Development17 décembre 201917 décembre 2019
Afrique
Finance
The Bank of Tanzania has recently delegated its powers and functions by providing that the Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies shall be regulated by the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission, and the Community Microfinance Groups shall be regulated by Local Government Authorities. This article outlines the new licensing requirements and the powers or functions that have been delegated under the Microfinance Act in detail.
The Microfinance Act No. 10 of 2018 (the Act) provides that an application for a licence under Tier 3 (i.e. the Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies or SACCOS) or Tier 4 (i.e. the Community Microfinance Groups) may be made to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) or Delegated Authority. A Delegated Authority is a public institution mandated by the BoT to execute its functions and powers under the Act.
Two notices were published on 22 November 2019: the Microfinance (Delegation of Powers and Functions) (Tier 3) Notice GN No. 887; and the Microfinance (Delegation of Powers and Functions) (Tier 4) Notice GN No. 888. Under the two notices, the BoT has delegated its functions and powers in relation to Tier 3 microfinance businesses to the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (the Commission), and for Tier 4 businesses to the Local Government Authorities (i.e. township, district, urban and city authorities).
The notices are to be read together with the Microfinance (Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies) Regulations published on 13 September 2019 under GN No. 675 (the Tier 3 Regulations) and the Microfinance (Community Microfinance Groups) Regulations published under GN No. 678 (the Tier 4 Regulations).
Licensing requirements
Tier 3 regulations
tier 4 regulations
Application for registration – Regulation 5
A member of the SACCOS shall apply for a licence to carry out microfinance business under category A or B
According to Regulation 13(1) of the Tier 3 Regulations, category A licence activities include:
making investments
granting loans to members
accepting savings from members
offering membership and voluntary shares
According to Regulation 13(2) of the Tier 3 Regulations, category B licence activities include:
all permissible activities under category A licence
accepting deposits from members
micro leasing
loan participation
agent banking
equity investment
micro insurance as an agent of insurers
offering debit cards
An applicant must fill in the application form for a licence as set out in the First Schedule to the Tier 3 Regulations
Application for registration – Regulation 8
An applicant must fill in the application form for registration of a Community Microfinance Group as set out in the Second Schedule to the Tier 4 Regulations.
Documents for category A licence – Regulation 5(2)
An applicant must attach the following accompanying documents as prescribed in the Tier 3 Regulations:
certified copy of the current by-laws of the relevant SACCOS
certified copy of the certificate of registration issued by the Commission
full names and addresses of board members, supervisory committee members and SACCOS officers
curriculum vitae and certified copies of academic and professional certificates of board members and senior officers
copy of the lending policy
copy of the Tanzania national identity card, voters registration card, passport or any other identification document acceptable by the BoT or Commission for each board member and senior officer
two passport size photographs of each board member and senior officer
evidence of adequate safekeeping facilities and security for cash in the business premises
resolution of the general meeting resolving that the relevant SACCOS apply for a licence
proof that the SACCOS has employed or has contracted an internal auditor responsible for monitoring, among other duties, the correct and effective implementation of the internal control system
proof that the SACCOS has a Management Information System
Documents for category B licence – Regulation 5(3)
In addition to the documents listed under regulation 5(2) above, the applicant must attach:
a three (3) year business plan that includes:
- the mission statement
- organisational structure
- products and services offered
- branch expansion plans if applicable
- strategy for growth
- a statement of the projected financial position, income and cash flow, including the assumptions used to make the projections for the three years of operation
policies for investments, human resources, savings, liquidity, finance, collections and internal procedures and control manuals
evidence on adequate insurance coverage
Documents for Community Microfinance Groups – Regulation 8(1)
An applicant must attach the following accompanying documents as prescribed in the Tier 4 Regulations: two copies of the constitution duly signed by all members:
two copies of the minutes for each formation meeting (the first meeting where members agree on the purpose of forming and registering a Community Microfinance Group), duly signed by all members
members' resolutions resolving to form and register a Community Microfinance Group submitted through Form No. 1 as set out in the Second Schedule
proposed organisational structure and names of proposed leaders of the applicant
list of members, which can be between ten (10) and fifty (50) persons
proof of payment of membership subscription fees by the initial members
letter of reference from the ward or village authority introducing the applicant
any other information prescribed by the BoT from time to time
Determination of application – Regulation 6
Upon receiving a complete set of application documents, the Commission shall within 60 days approve the application.
Determination of application – Regulation 10
A Local Government Authority shall process and determine the application within 14 days of receiving a complete set of application documents.
Delegated powers and functions
Functions or powers delegated under the Notices, when exercised or performed by the Commission or the Local Government Authorities, shall be deemed to be exercised or performed by the BoT. It is worth noting that Delegated Authorities have a duty to report to the BoT all matters delegated in the manner and frequency prescribed by the BoT.
The table below sets out the powers and functions delegated by the BoT under the Notices.
Delegated Powers
The Commission
Local Government Authorities
To investigate or inquire into the operation of SACCOS
To inspect and examine books of accounts, records, returns and any other document of SACCOS
To demand information related to the activities of SACCOS
To provide instruction in relation to the proper management of SACCOS
To enter, at any reasonable time, into any premises of a SACCOS or any premises in which it is believed, on reasonable grounds, that books of accounts, records or documents in any form relating to the SACCOS' business are kept
To open or cause to be opened any strong room, safe or container in which it is suspected, on reasonable grounds, that there are any securities, books of accounts, records or documents of a SACCOS
To require any officer, employee or agent of a SACCOS to explain or furnish information or document(s) concerning a SACCOS
To exercise such other powers as may be necessary for the better performance of regulatory and supervisory functions under the Act as may be required by the BoT
To investigate or inquire into the operations of Community Microfinance Groups
To demand information related to the activities of Community Microfinance Groups
To provide instruction in relation to the proper management of Community Microfinance Groups
To visit and review, at any reasonable time, cash or records or documents in any form relating to the Community Microfinance Groups’ business
To require any officer, employee or agent of a Community Microfinance Group to explain or furnish information or documents
To exercise such powers as may be necessary for the better performance of the regulatory and supervisory functions under the Act as may be required by the BoT
Delegated Functions
To issue licences to qualified SACCOS in accordance with the Act
To develop and manage a database for SACCOS
To inspect, monitor and evaluate the performance of SACCOS
To issue circulars and guidelines for SACCOS
To access and issue approvals for the transformation of SACCOS.
To ensure proper management of complaints relating to microfinance business
To ensure protection of consumers and members of SACCOS including sanctioning usurious lending practices
To ensure that SACCOS share credit information in accordance with the Credit Reference Bureau Regulations
To perform such other function as may be required by the BoT for the proper regulation and supervision of SACCOS
To register qualified Community Microfinance Groups in accordance with the Act
To develop and manage a database for Community Microfinance Groups
To monitor and evaluate the performance of Community Microfinance Groups
To issue circulars and guidelines for Community Microfinance Groups
To ensure proper management of complaints relating to microfinance business
To ensure protection of consumers of Community Microfinance Groups including sanctioning usurious lending practices
To ensure that community microfinance groups share credit information in accordance with the Credit Reference Bureau Regulations
To perform such other functions as may be required by the BoT for the proper regulation and supervision of Community Microfinance Groups
This briefing is prepared for clients and contacts of Clyde & Co Tanzania. We aim to keep our clients abreast of developments in Tanzania as they happen and if you have any questions on the issues raised above please contact us directly.
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