CRDB Bank, Tanzania’s biggest bank by assets, has completed a migration of its core banking system from Fusion Banking Essence (FBE), owned by London-based Finastra, to Temenos T24, a move the lender says was necessary to keep pace with regional competitors and prepare for expansion outside East Africa.

CRDB’s chief executive, Abdulmajid Nsekela, told TechCabal that the system migration—which occurred in the first weekend of September—is crucial to the bank’s expansion plans. CRDB already operates in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and is finalising arrangements to enter Dubai, where it expects to serve both diaspora and cross-border clients.

“You cannot provide services in all these countries without having a robust system that safeguards customer information and enables transactions with high efficiency,” Nsekela said.

CRDB joins a growing list of African lenders running on Temenos T24, the Swiss-built, front-to-back core banking platform used by institutions like Kenya’s  KCB Group and Stanbic Bank, which operate across multiple jurisdictions. Such systems are increasingly vital as regional banks integrate operations and compete for cross-border clients.

Nsekela said the upgraded platform now supports transactions in multiple languages and currencies, from Swahili and English in Tanzania to French, Kirundi, and Arabic in other markets.

Core banking migrations remain fraught exercises. Unlike front-end app upgrades, they involve the wholesale transfer of millions of sensitive customer records. In markets where trust in banks can be fragile, even short disruptions risk denting reputations.

CRDB’s 72-hour migration exercise experienced some glitches with customers reporting discrepancies in balances, which the bank attributed to large data transfers between the systems.

The bank’s investment is a continuation of East African lenders’ efforts to modernise their technology backbones. KCB, Equity Group, DTB, and NCBA Group already run multi-market operations on Temenos T24 or similar systems, enabling faster product rollouts across jurisdictions.

By joining their ranks, CRDB hopes to compete for corporate clients and cross-border business as it marks its 30th anniversary. The Dubai expansion is expected to target diaspora remittances and trade finance between the Gulf and East Africa.

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) is also pushing local banks to upgrade their systems as part of wider financial sector reforms. 

Mark your calendars! Moonshot by TechCabal is back in Lagos on October 15–16! Meet and learn from Africa’s top founders, creatives & tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers & future-forward ideas. Get your tickets now: moonshot.techcabal.com

Kenya and Tanzania have officially launched the Dar-es-Salaam to Mombasa Terrestrial Fiber Link, a strategic cross-border project aimed at enhancing...

Source

April has been a superb month for East Africa's music scene. This month's standout releases are all about bold moves, unexpected collaborations, and deeply personal storytelling, proving once again that the region's artists continue to innovate while staying true to their roots.

Tanzania's Jux celebrates love's grandest gesture with "God Design" featuring Nigeria's Phyno, with visuals from his real-life wedding. Kenya's Bien takes listeners on a rare cross-border journey with Somalia's Suldaan Seeraar on "Safari," bridging cultures with a heartfelt collaboration. Uganda's King Saha reflects on the highs and lows of life lived online in "TikTok Life," while Kenya's Bensoul and V-BE toast to the sweetness of love in "Kautamu Flani."

These are just some songs that kept East Africa grooving in April.

Listen to OkayAfrica's Best East African Songs Right Now below.

Jux - "God Design" Feat. Phyno (Tanzania)

Fresh off "Africa's wedding of the year" to Nigeria's Priscilla Ojo, Tanzania's Juma Jux returns with a new track featuring visuals from the actual ceremony. According to Jux, the song is part of his seven-track EP, A Day to Remember, described as "a soundtrack to our love story." "Straight from the heart, for the love of my life," he shared on social media. "Forever starts now." Don't sleep on Phyno's verse.

Bien - “Safari” feat. Suldaan Seeraar (Somalia/Kenya)

Kenya's Bien is gearing up to release a new album, kicking things off with the lead single "Safari," a collaboration with Somalia's Suldaan Seeraar. Despite Kenya and Somalia's shared border, musical collaborations between the two nations are rare. This makes the track a compelling glimpse into the album's direction and Bien's evolving artistry. The album arrives ahead of his upcoming tour across Europe and the U.S. this summer.

King Saha - “TikTok Life” (Uganda)

One of Uganda's finest, King Saha returns with a song that celebrates and laments the experience of living life in front of a phone screen. It reflects digital-age realities, delivered with his signature melodic flair—and it's been steadily climbing the Ugandan charts. Even over a decade in the game, King Saha continues to craft music that speaks to and for the people.

Bensoul - "Kautumu Flani" feat. V-BE (Kenya)

Six months after his hit "Extra Pressure," Bensoul returns with "Kautamu Flani," a new single featuring Nairobi-based duo V-BE (Vijana Barubaru). Since its release, the song has quickly climbed to the top of Kenya's charts. Known for their romantic, soulful sound, V-BE brings their signature vibe to the track, celebrating an unnamed, indescribable sweetness that love brings.

Matata - “Mpishi” feat. Bien (Kenya)

It's been a year since Norway-based group Matata released new music, and they've returned in style with "Mpishi," teaming up with Kenya's hitmaker Bien for a track that has topped the Kenyan charts. Known for their vibrant fusion of rap, Sheng, and Kikuyu influences, Matata's latest release also highlights their colorful aesthetic and infectious choreography, reaffirming their place as one of East Africa's most exciting acts.

Marioo - Tete  (Tanzania)

Marioo is on a roll this year. His hit "Nairobi" remains at the top of the charts, and he is ready to add to that with "Tete."

Toxic Lyrikali - "Confirmation" feat. Mr Ree (Kenya)

After a breakout year in 2024, urban tone-drill sensation Toxic Lyrikali kicks off 2025 with his first single, "Confirmation." Hailing from gritty Nairobi, Toxic Lyrikali has built a loyal digital following with his electrifying stage presence, sharp lyricism, and bold storytelling.