DODOMA, May 30 -- INADEQUATE financial literacy has been identified as one of the key factors affecting repayment of loans issued to women and youth groups, prompting efforts to strengthen training and supervision mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of empowerment funds.

Minister of State in the Presidents Office (Youth Development), Mr Joel Nanauka, told the National Assembly yesterday that the government has introduced new guidelines aimed at improving the management, coordination and monitoring of loans issued through local government authorities.

Mr Nanauka said the guidelines, issued in November last year, emphasise the importance of providing entrepreneurship and financial management training to beneficiaries before loans are ...