Mobile microlending initiative launched by MTC and Letshego, aiming to provide financial services to the underbanked population in Namibia, under the name Tamba Maris.
New Mobile Microlending Platform Tamba Maris Serves Underbanked Namibians
In a bid to enhance financial inclusion, MTC Namibia and Letshego Micro Financial Services have launched a pilot phase for Tamba Maris, a mobile microlending platform designed to cater to the needs of underbanked Namibians, including informal workers and those in the gig economy.
The platform, accessible via USSD, offers quick, automated microloans ranging from NAD100 to NAD1,500 with repayment terms of 7, 14, or 30 days. Interest rates are tiered, with 14% for 7-day loans, 18% for 14-day loans, and 22% for 30-day loans, resulting in an average interest rate of approximately 18%.
The pilot, which began in July 2025, is currently capped at NAD2 million and is available to 6,000 pre-selected MTC customers who are fully KYC-verified and use the MTC Maris mobile money wallet. Loan approval and disbursement typically take less than a minute, supported by credit scoring systems.
The pilot operates within a regulatory sandbox established by NAMFISA and the Bank of Namibia, facilitating innovation while awaiting formal regulatory approval. If successful, MTC plans to extend Tamba Maris to its full customer base of about 2.7 million active MTC users who also have Maris wallets.
The initiative forms part of a broader financial inclusion strategy launched in Namibia in 2025 and represents a significant step in digital financial services innovation within the country. Jennifer Onyeagoro, who is involved in the project, stated, "Our goal is to provide instant loans to customers, bypassing traditional banking barriers and enhancing financial inclusion."
The loans are repaid through the MTC Maris wallet, which also provides tools for tracking balances and receiving payment reminders. The platform is developed by Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) and Letshego Micro Financial Services, with loan disbursement taking less than 60 seconds and not requiring internet access.
[1] MTC and Letshego launch Tamba Maris mobile microlending platform for underbanked Namibians. (2025, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.mtc.na/news/mtc-and-letshego-launch-tamba-maris-mobile-microlending-platform-for-underbanked-namibians
[2] Namibia launches financial inclusion strategy. (2025, April 1). Retrieved from https://www.bankofnamibia.com.na/news/namibia-launches-financial-inclusion-strategy
[3] Regulatory sandbox established for Tamba Maris pilot. (2025, June 1). Retrieved from https://www.namfisa.com.na/news/regulatory-sandbox-established-for-tamba-maris-pilot
[4] Onyeagoro, J. (2025, July 1). Personal communication.
[5] Tamba Maris: A new mobile microlending platform for financial inclusion in Namibia. (2025, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.letshego.com/news/tamba-maris-a-new-mobile-microlending-platform-for-financial-inclusion-in-namibia
- This collaboration between MTC Namibia and Letshego Micro Financial Services, as part of Namibia's financial inclusion strategy, showcases the integration of technology and finance within the fintech sector, with the launch of the mobile microlending platform Tamba Maris.
- The Tamba Maris platform, a fintech innovation, offers financial services to underbanked Namibians, demonstrating the potential of technology to revolutionize traditional finance and foster financial inclusion.
