Company Profile and Mission in Tanzania
Kuza Capital Finance Tanzania Limited, commonly known as Kuza Capital, stands as a prominent non-bank financial institution deeply rooted in Dar es Salaam. Established in 2015, the company has consistently focused its efforts on extending affordable, digitally delivered credit solutions to critical, yet often underserved, segments of the Tanzanian economy. These include smallholder farmers, market vendors, and various micro and small enterprises that form the backbone of local commerce.
The company operates with a robust business model centered on digitally enabled micro-lending. This involves a user-friendly mobile application and an extensive network of agents, ensuring wide reach across the nation. Kuza Capital generates revenue primarily through interest margins on loans, reasonable origination fees, and the provision of valuable financial education services. Its ownership structure is privately held, with Kuza Africa Holdings holding a majority stake of sixty percent, local Tanzanian investors accounting for twenty-five percent, and a dedicated Kuza Employee Stock Ownership Plan comprising the remaining fifteen percent. This blend of regional and local investment underscores its commitment to the Tanzanian market.
Kuza Capital's mission is clearly defined: to drive inclusive economic growth by skillfully filling critical funding gaps. The firm achieves this through leveraging cutting-edge mobile technology, sophisticated risk analytics, and strategic partnerships, particularly with agribusiness cooperatives. The executive team boasts significant expertise, led by CEO Jane Mwita, a fintech veteran with over a decade of experience in microfinance. Patrick Mbaga, the Chief Financial Officer, brings a strong audit background from Deloitte Tanzania, while Amina Suleiman, the Chief Technology Officer, is an ex-Google software engineer specializing in microlending platforms. Michael Njoroge, the Chief Operating Officer, ensures smooth operations with his prior experience at Equity Bank Kenya, reflecting a strong regional understanding.
Geographically, Kuza Capital maintains operations across all twenty-six regions of Tanzania, with particularly high penetration and activity in major urban and agricultural hubs such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, and Mbeya. As of the second quarter of 2025, the company reported over forty-five thousand active borrowers. The demographic breakdown reveals that sixty percent are male and forty percent female, with seventy percent being under thirty-five years of age. A significant portion, fifty-five percent, are rural farmers, while forty-five percent are urban micro-entrepreneurs, showcasing its balanced approach to serving both rural and urban economies.
Kuza Capital Finance's Loan Products and Terms
Kuza Capital Finance offers a tailored suite of loan products designed to meet the diverse financial needs of its target market. Understanding the specific challenges faced by different borrower segments in Tanzania, the company has structured its offerings with flexibility and relevance in mind. These products include the Kuza Farmer Loan, Kuza Business Loan, Kuza Sokoni Loan, and the Kuza Cash Advance.
The Kuza Farmer Loan is specifically designed for agriculture input financing, supporting smallholder farmers during critical planting and harvesting cycles. Repayment periods for this loan are typically three to six months, aligning perfectly with crop cycles. For entrepreneurs, the Kuza Business Loan provides working capital for microenterprises, while the Kuza Sokoni Loan focuses on stock financing for market vendors. Both Business and Sokoni loans have shorter repayment terms, ranging from one to three months, suitable for quick turnover business needs. Lastly, the Kuza Cash Advance serves as an unsecured personal loan, generally for a one-month term, offering quick liquidity for immediate personal expenses.
Loan amounts range from a minimum of TZS 50,000 (approximately USD 20) to a maximum of TZS 5,000,000 (approximately USD 2,000), making them accessible for micro-scale financing needs. Interest rates vary by product to reflect differing risk profiles and market demands. Kuza Farmer and Business Loans carry a monthly interest rate of 2.5–3.0 percent, translating to an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 30–36 percent. The Kuza Sokoni loan is offered at a slightly lower monthly rate of 2.0–2.5 percent (24–30 percent APR), acknowledging the rapid turnover nature of market vending. The Kuza Cash Advance, being an unsecured personal loan, has a higher monthly interest rate of 3.5 percent, resulting in a 42 percent APR.
In terms of fees, Kuza Capital maintains a clear structure. An origination fee of 1.0 percent of the loan principal is deducted upfront. A flat processing fee of TZS 5,000 is also applied. It is crucial for borrowers to understand the late payment fee structure: TZS 2,500 per day overdue or 0.1 percent of the outstanding amount per day, whichever sum is higher. This can accumulate quickly, so timely repayment is strongly advised. Collateral requirements are tailored to the borrower segment; Farmer Loans typically require a group guarantee via a cooperative rather than individual collateral. Business and Sokoni Loans leverage mobile-money transaction history and airtime top-up history as a proxy for physical collateral. The Cash Advance relies on a credit-bureau score and mobile-money transaction history, with no fixed collateral.
Application Process, Technology, and User Experience
Kuza Capital Finance has streamlined its application process, making it accessible and efficient for its diverse client base in Tanzania. Prospective borrowers can initiate loan applications through multiple convenient channels. The primary method is the dedicated mobile application, available on both Android and iOS platforms, providing a seamless digital experience. Alternatively, applications can be made through the company’s web portal or via its extensive agent network, which comprises over one hundred and fifty agribusiness cooperatives and market associations nationwide. This multi-channel approach ensures that even those in remote areas or with limited digital literacy can access financial services.
The Know Your Customer (KYC) and onboarding process is entirely digital, ensuring speed and security. It involves digital KYC verification using the National ID (NIDA) and biometric selfie verification, minimizing the need for physical paperwork. Rigorous Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) checks are performed against Bank of Tanzania watchlists and credit bureau records, upholding regulatory standards and safeguarding against financial crime. Kuza Capital employs a proprietary machine-learning model for credit scoring and underwriting. This advanced model meticulously analyzes mobile-money transaction patterns from popular platforms like M-Pesa and Tigo Pesa, savings and airtime top-up frequency, and peer-group performance metrics from cooperatives. This holistic approach allows for accurate risk assessment, even for individuals with limited formal credit histories.
Upon successful application, loan disbursements are made through various convenient methods. Mobile money platforms such as Vodacom M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and Tigo Pesa are widely used, reflecting their prevalence in Tanzania. Borrowers also have the option of direct bank transfers to major Tanzanian banks or cash pickups at partner agent locations, offering flexibility based on individual preference and access. The company utilizes automated reminders via SMS and WhatsApp to facilitate collections and recovery processes. For overdue accounts, agent-led field visits are conducted. Kuza Capital also offers debt restructuring options for clients experiencing temporary financial hardship, demonstrating a commitment to supporting its borrowers through challenging times.
The Kuza Capital mobile application is a cornerstone of its service delivery, boasting a 4.3-star rating on Google Play Store with over five hundred downloads. Key features of the app include quick loan application capabilities, in-app financial education modules that empower users with knowledge, repayment scheduling tools, and a comprehensive transaction history dashboard for transparent tracking. Beyond the app, Kuza Capital maintains a strong digital presence with a responsive web portal offering live chat support. It is also active on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, ensuring accessible communication and engagement with its customer base.
Regulatory Compliance, Market Position, and Competition
Kuza Capital Finance operates under the stringent regulatory framework of Tanzania, ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations. The company has been officially licensed by the Bank of Tanzania as a Nonbank Financial Institution (NBFI) since its inception in 2015. This licensing places Kuza Capital under the direct oversight of the central bank, which is crucial for consumer confidence and adherence to national financial policies. Furthermore, it is subject to the provisions of the National Microfinance Policy and the Microfinance Act of 2018, which govern the microfinance sector in the country. To date, Kuza Capital has maintained a clean regulatory record, with no public penalties or enforcement actions reported.
The company places a strong emphasis on consumer protection. It ensures transparent pricing disclosures for all its products, clearly communicated within the mobile application and through its agent network. This commitment to clarity helps borrowers fully understand the terms of their loans. Kuza Capital also adheres to data protection compliance requirements under Tanzania’s Personal Data Protection Act of 2022, safeguarding sensitive customer information. For grievance redressal, the company provides clear channels, including linkage to an ombudsman and the Bank of Tanzania consumer hotline, ensuring that customer complaints are handled fairly and efficiently.
In the competitive Tanzanian digital micro-loan market, Kuza Capital holds an estimated ten percent market share as of 2025. It competes alongside other notable players such as Jamii Bora, M-Kopa, and Tala. Kuza Capital distinguishes itself primarily through its specialized agriculture-focused product suite and its strong partnerships with agribusiness cooperatives. This strategic differentiation allows it to cater more effectively to the unique needs of smallholder farmers, a significant segment of the Tanzanian economy. The company has demonstrated impressive growth, with a thirty-five percent year-on-year loan-book growth between 2022 and 2024, signaling a robust expansion trajectory.
Looking ahead, Kuza Capital has ambitious expansion plans, aiming to enter the Kenyan and Ugandan markets in 2026 under a broader "Kuza Africa" regional brand. This regional expansion indicates its confidence in its business model and technological capabilities. Strategic partnerships are integral to Kuza Capital's success. It collaborates with financial institutions like Equity Bank Tanzania for co-funding lines, strengthening its capital base. Partnerships with major telecommunication companies such as Vodacom (for M-Pesa integration) and Airtel (for credit scoring data) are critical for its mobile-money driven operations. Additionally, collaborations with agri-inputs suppliers like Syngenta and Yara Tanzania facilitate in-kind loan distribution, further enhancing its value proposition for farmers.
Customer Insights, Financial Health, and Borrower Advice
Understanding customer experience is vital for any financial institution, and Kuza Capital Finance has garnered a range of feedback that reflects its market performance. On Google Play, the mobile application holds a respectable 4.3-star rating, with positive feedback often highlighting the speed of loan application and disbursement. However, some users have noted concerns regarding the clarity of late-fee calculations. Similarly, on Trustpilot, the company maintains a 4.0-star rating, with the ease of the application process frequently praised, though some reviews mention customer service response times as an area for improvement. Common complaints generally revolve around occasional delays in mobile-money disbursement and the perceived high nature of late-payment fees for certain clients. Kuza Capital strives to address these through its customer service channels.
The quality of customer service at Kuza Capital is supported by 24/7 in-app chat support, aiming for an average first-response time of two hours. A dedicated helpline (+255 744 980 220) is also available for direct assistance. The company frequently shares success stories that illustrate its positive impact on livelihoods. For instance, Ms. Asha M., a vegetable farmer from Manyara, expanded her farm from one acre to three acres and achieved a 250 percent income increase within two seasons by utilizing Kuza Farmer Loans. Similarly, Mr. Daniel L., an urban food stall operator in Dar es Salaam, successfully expanded his business from one stall to four locations through successive Kuza Sokoni loans. These narratives underscore the tangible benefits that Kuza Capital’s financing provides to micro-entrepreneurs and farmers.
From a financial performance perspective, Kuza Capital demonstrates robust health. For the fiscal year 2024, the company reported a revenue of TZS 6 billion (approximately USD 2.4 million), with a healthy net profit margin of twelve percent. Its Return on Assets (ROA) stood at 5.8 percent, and Return on Equity (ROE) at 18.2 percent, indicating efficient asset utilization and strong profitability for its shareholders. The company has attracted significant investment through several funding rounds. It secured Seed funding of USD 500,000 from 4DX Ventures in 2016, followed by a Series A round of USD 5 million led by Acumen and Novastar Ventures in 2020. More recently, a Series B round in 2023 saw USD 12 million raised from LendFund Africa.
Kuza Capital’s total outstanding loan portfolio reached TZS 15 billion (approximately USD 6 million), with an average ticket size of TZS 350,000. The quality of its loan portfolio is managed effectively, with a Portfolio-at-Risk (loans overdue by more than thirty days) at a manageable 3.5 percent. The Non-Performing Loan (NPL) Coverage Ratio stands at 120 percent, indicating that the company is fully provisioned against potential defaults, a sign of sound risk management. For potential borrowers in Tanzania considering Kuza Capital Finance, several pieces of practical advice are crucial. Firstly, thoroughly understand the specific terms, interest rates, and fees associated with each loan product before applying, particularly the late payment penalties. Utilize the mobile application’s financial education modules to enhance your financial literacy and ensure you can manage your loan responsibly. Build a strong transaction history through consistent mobile money usage and timely repayments, as this greatly influences credit scoring for future loans. If facing repayment difficulties, proactively communicate with Kuza Capital's customer service or agent network to explore debt restructuring options, rather than waiting for penalties to accrue. Responsible borrowing and active engagement with the platform will yield the most beneficial outcomes.
