The influence of foreign bank entry on lending to small firms in Tanzania

Developing countries have witnessed an increase in foreign bank participation during the last decade. Using bank level data for the period 1991-2001, we examine the influence of foreign banks on the financing of small firms in Tanzania. Despite dominating the banking sector, results suggest that the financing of small firms by foreign banks is insignificant compared to domestic banks. Clearly, there is a need for a new approach to policy that will encourage significant foreign bank lending to small firms.