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In this paper we examine the role of Savings and Credits Cooperative Societies (SACCoS) in the economic growth of Tanzania by answering two main questions. First, are financial services in SACCoS significant factors for economic growth? Second, are financial services in SACCoS Granger causing economic growth? We use credits-real GDP per capita ratio and savings-real GDP per capita ratio as proxy measures for financial services and real GDP per capita for economic growth. We employ Newey-West standard errors regression model and Wald Granger causality tests in analysis. The sample period is 1990-2012. Data are from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives, World Economic Outlook (WEO) database, International Monetary Fund (IMF). The findings show that, there is a strong positive association between the financial services and the economic growth, also there istwo-ways Granger causality between them. However, we find out that savings are much important in fostering economic growth as compared to credits/loans. These criteria make SACCoS the distinct microfinance institutions in the economic development in Tanzania and therefore should be promoted with more emphasis on the savings objective.

The paper presents prospects and challenges of the collective action in facilitating access to financial services among smallholder farmers in rural areas. It is based on data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) from 11 cases of Savings and Credit cooperatives (SACCOs), Primary Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives (AMCOS) and Farmers Associations (FA) in Dodoma and Morogoro regions in Tanzania. By using the content analysis, the paper presents three major findings. First, the groups are much relevant in strengthening the ability of the smallholder farmers to access financial services. Second, The majority of smallholder farmers rarely payback their loans obtained through wholesale borrowing. Thus, wholesale group lending results into ineptness which leads to debt frightening. Failure to repay their loans increases financial burden as interest and fine enlarge the loan size. Consequently, frightening cooperation and sustainability of groups and deepening poverty among smallholder farmers. It was further observed that, the main reason for poor repayment of the loans is poor group lending implementation arrangements. Thus, the paper proposes the implementation arrangement of the wholesale lending method that would reduce financial risks and ensure sustainability of the groups.

The Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) which are co-operative financial models are flourishing in most of the developing economies recently. However, loan repayment capacity remains a challenge that threatens their future. Using financial statements data for the year 2012, from 36 SACCOS in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, and using descriptive statistics and regression models in the analysis, this study examines the relationship between financial performance and loan repayment capacity. It thus examines the extent by which SACCOS are capable of recovering the loan issued and also the financial ratios that explain loan repayment capacity in SACCOS. The study depicts that there is a severe financial risk management problem among Tanzanian SACCOS. Focusing on sustainability is significant for improvements of loan repayment, but focusing on profitability in SACCOS results to an adverse loan repayment. The study asserts that the primary focus of SACCOS should not be profit but member's wealth maximization and sustainability of the institution. Moreover, we suggest that in addition the traditional means of dealing with financial risk, the uses of a modern risk management tool like credit scoring should be considered in evaluating borrowers.

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