CRDB Bank earns praise for staging marathon in DR Congo and Burundi

Dar es Salaam. The CRDB Bank has earned compliments from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) for introducing its CRDB Bank Marathon to their territories.

The praise was given yesterday by Burundi's Ambassador to Tanzania, Leontine Nzeyimana, and the Representative of the DR Congo Ambassador to Tanzania, Patrice Tshekoya.

The CRDB Bank Marathon is set to begin in Lubumbashi, DRC, on August 4, then move to Bujumbura, Burundi, on August 11, before returning to Dar es Salaam on August 18.

Speaking in a brief event held yesterday, Nzeyimana said the race is important to contributing to social and economic development in their countries.

“CRDB Bank has shown that it is not only a business entity, but also it cares for the community. We thank your commitment.

For over 10 years, this bank has significantly contributed to development in Burundi. Burundi and Tanzania are like brothers, and CRDB Bank in Burundi is at home, so this marathon is also at home,” said Nzeyimana on behalf of others.

For his part, Tanzania’s Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Said Shaibu Mussa, praised CRDB Bank for its decision to stage the CRDB Bank Marathon in three countries.

Mussa said the efforts align with the sixth phase government's initiatives under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to improve diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, CRDB Bank Group CEO and Managing Director Abdulmajid Nsekela said the expansion of the CRDB Bank Marathon into DRC and Burundi aligns with the bank's goals of expanding regionally and promoting development in Africa.

Nsekela said the lender is fully committed to creating enabling environments and empowering citizens in the countries it serves to benefit from the objectives of the "Africa We Want" 2063 agenda.

"CRDB Bank has achieved great success in DRC and Burundi due to the good relationships between Tanzania and these countries, fostered by the exceptional leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Burundi Evarist Ndayishimiye, and President of DRC Congo Félix Tshisekedi. The race is aimed at raising Sh2 billion that will be used to support communities, " said Nsekela.

He said that the goal of the fifth season of the CRDB Bank Marathon is to register over 8,000 participants and raise more than Sh2 billion.

 For her part, the director of Corporate Affairs at CRDB Bank and the managing director of the CRDB Bank Foundation, Tully Mwambapa said besides the groups that have benefited from the race, including children with heart disease and pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies and fistula, this year, part of the funds raised will go towards empowering the youth in the country.

Mwambapa, who is also the Army Commander of the Pace That Spread Smiles (JLKT) of the CRDB Bank Marathon said a total of Sh2.7 billion was raised in the past seasons.

 She said the monies were directed towards supporting surgery bills for over 300 children with heart diseases at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) and assisting more than 150 high-risk pregnant women at CCBRT Hospital.

The monies also were used for constructing a Communication Centre at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute, building a Mother and Child Health Centre in Zanzibar, and campaigning for Tanzania's environmental conservation.

The bank also has donated Sh24 million to Tanzania’s national Olympic team that will compete in Paris, France.