Abstract—This study examines trade financing at CRDB Bank, focusing on costs, awareness, and efficiency among Small and Midsize Enterprises (SME) customers. It evaluates the bank’s provision of trade finance products like Letters of Credit, Guarantees, insurance, lines of credit, factoring, and supplier credit, both locally and internationally. Using a case study approach and descriptive research design, the study sampled 130 individuals, with 108 complete responses. Quantitative methods, including questionnaires and data analysis via Excel, chi-square tests, and SPSS for ANOVA, were employed. The researcher sought to understand the challenges customers face in accessing Tanzania’s trade finance products and services. The researcher evaluated the relationship between trade finance utilization and SME’s performance indicators, such as profitability, export capacity, and market access. According to the study, improving trade finance instruments such as letters of credit, trade credit, and export financing can significantly enable SMEs to engage in international trade. SMEs, that used trade finance, also reported reduced operational and overhead costs, more accessible reach into global markets, and improved cash flow and growth rates. Interest rates, collateral requirements, and little financial literacy are reasons most SMEs lack access to finance. Recommendations are for CRDB Bank to promote training sessions to boost SMEs’ understanding of trade finance products and their advantages and introduce more flexible collateral or risk-sharing arrangements. As an important enabler, CRDB Bank contributes toward the growing individual and international competency of Tanzanian SMEs through trade finance. In conclusion, SMEs that do succeed in exploiting Trade Finance enjoy better operational capacity in the face of adversity. Working to overcome the obstacles identified in this study will help to improve accessibility to trade finance further also supporting the broader economic development of Tanzania’s SME sector.

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