SONGWE, April 30 -- FARMERS in Songwe Region have raised concerns over persistent barriers limiting their access to formal financial services, citing high account maintenance fees and the closure of inactive accounts as key challenges that have weakened trust in banking institutions.

The concerns were raised during the launch of the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) “Wekeza NBC Shambani Ushinde” campaign in Mlowo, Mbozi District, where farmers said long-standing banking practices have discouraged them from fully engaging with the formal financial system.

Mbozi resident Mr Nickson Dirisha, said that since income depends on harvest cycles, many farmers struggle to keep accounts active, leading to classification as inactive and e...