AzamPesa

What AzamPesa does

AzamPesa is a Tanzanian mobile money operator licensed by the Bank of Tanzania under the National Payment Systems Act 2015 and regulated by TCRA under the Electronic and Postal Communications Act 2010. Operated by AzamPesa Tanzania Limited, the company provides a digital wallet accessible via a smartphone application (iOS/Android) and USSD shortcode (*150*08#), with network-agnostic access across Vodacom, Tigo, Airtel, Halotel, and TTCL. Core offerings include person-to-person transfers (free between AzamPesa wallets, low-cost to other networks and banks), airtime purchases, bill payments (electricity, water, TV subscriptions), government payments (TRA, LUKU, TARURA, LGAs), bank interoperability (CRDB, NMB, NBC), and merchant payment acceptance via Lipa Hapa. The platform also offers a Sharia-compliant wallet option alongside the conventional wallet, with customer deposits held in trust via the AzamPesa Trust Fund.

The technology stack is a conventional mobile wallet with USSD and app frontends, NIDA-based KYC (fingerprint and knowledge-based authentication), and a newly introduced physical NFC product, the Gusa Card, for offline POS transactions and football match ticket purchases. Distribution combines digital self-serve with a nationwide agent (Wakala) network, Posta Tanzania offices, and Azam group retail touchpoints including AzamTV stores, Azam Ice-cream shops, Azam Food stores, and Azam Marine ferry services for both registration and cash-in/cash-out.

Revenue is generated through transaction fees on cross-network and bank transfers (internal AzamPesa-to-AzamPesa transfers are zero-rated), hardware sales of the Gusa Card at TZS 2,000 per card, float income on trust-held deposits, and merchant payment services. The company employs 251–500 staff and operates exclusively in Tanzania as part of the broader Azam brand group (AzamTV, Azam Marine, Azam Ice-cream, Azam Food Products), with no external institutional investment, private equity, or venture capital backing disclosed.

Name

AzamPesa

Legal name

AzamPesa Tanzania Limited

Website

https://azampesa.co.tz/

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

AzamPesa is a Tanzanian mobile money wallet operator, licensed by the Bank of Tanzania, offering free internal P2P transfers, affordable cross-network payments, bill pay, government payments, and merchant acceptance via app, USSD, and a nationwide agent and Azam-group retail network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Money / Digital Wallet

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Cash-in/Cash-out Agent Network Wallets (FSAMAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

In-App / Online Checkout Wallets (FSAMAEAH)

Keywords

• Mobile financial services
• Mobile money services
• Digital wallet platform
• Money transfer services
• Merchant payment solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Dar Es Salaam

HQ country

Tanzania

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Transaction Fees: AzamPesa charges transaction fees for money transfers to other mobile networks and banks. Transfers between AzamPesa wallets are free (TZS 0). The platform generates revenue through differential fee structures based on transfer destination and transaction type.
2. Gusa Card Sales: Physical payment cards (Gusa Card) are sold to customers for TZS 2,000 per card. Each AzamPesa number is eligible for one card.
3. Merchant Payment Services (Lipa Hapa): Business merchants pay no charges for receiving customer payments via AzamPesa Lipa Hapa. The company likely earns revenue through transaction volume and float management.
4. Agent Commission (Wakala): Agents earn commissions for each transaction processed (deposits, withdrawals, airtime sales). Airtime sellers receive a 2% bonus on airtime sold, starting from TZS 500.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AzamPesa is a mobile money and digital wallet service that enables users to send and receive money, pay bills (electricity, water, TV subscriptions), purchase airtime for all mobile networks, make government payments (TRA, fines, LUKU), transfer to/from bank accounts, and accept merchant payments via the Lipa Hapa solution. The service is accessible through a smartphone app and USSD code, operates across all Tanzanian mobile networks, and offers both Conventional and Sharia-compliant wallets, supported by a nationwide agent network and physical distribution through the Azam brand ecosystem.

Product overview

AzamPesa is a mobile wallet platform operated by AzamPesa Tanzania Limited, offering digital financial services across Tanzania. The core product is the AzamPesa Mobile Wallet, which provides free wallet-to-wallet transfers and affordable transactions across all mobile networks. The platform offers multiple access channels including smartphone app (iOS/Android) and USSD (*150*08#). Key modules include Gusa Card (offline NFC payment card), Lipa Hapa (merchant payment solution), Airtime Purchase, Bill Payments, Government Payments, Banking Services, and Azam Services (AzamTV, AzamFerry, SARAFU). The Agent Program enables third-party agents to provide deposits, withdrawals, and airtime sales. AzamPesa operates under license from Bank of Tanzania and TCRA, offering both Conventional and Sharia-compliant wallet options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gusa Card: A tap-to-pay payment card directly linked to the AzamPesa wallet, allowing users to make all AzamPesa transactions including purchasing football match tickets and performing cashless payments.
• Lipa Hapa
• AzamFerry
• Sarafu

Products and services

• AzamPesa Mobile Wallet Digital wallet service offering mobile money transfers (free AzamPesa-to-AzamPesa, low-cost cross-network and bank), bill payments, airtime purchases, government payments, and merchant payment acceptance across all Tanzanian mobile networks.
• Gusa Card Physical NFC tap-to-pay card linked to the AzamPesa wallet, enabling offline transactions at POS terminals, purchase of football match tickets (NBC, CAF), money transfers, airtime purchases, and bill payments. Priced at TZS 2,000 per card.
• Lipa Hapa (Pay with AzamPesa) Merchant payment solution enabling businesses to receive direct payments from customers via mobile phones from any network or bank, with no charges for receiving customer payments and low-cost withdrawals.
• Airtime Purchase Service for purchasing mobile airtime for all Tanzanian networks (Vodacom, Tigo, Airtel, Halotel, TTCL) via USSD or app, including purchasing airtime for other users.
• Bill Payments Bill payment service covering government payments (GEPG), TV decoder packages (AzamTV, DStv, StarTimes, ZukuTV, ZMux), airline tickets, internet services, UTT, and MasterCard QR payments.
• Government Payments Government payment service covering LUKU (electricity), water bills, police fines, Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) payments, TARURA payments, land payments, and Local Government Authority (LGA) payments.
• Banking Services Bank-to-wallet and wallet-to-bank transfer service with CRDB, NMB, NBC, and other partnered banks, enabling seamless movement of funds between mobile wallet and bank accounts.
• Agent Program (Wakala) Agent partnership program (Wakala) enabling third-party agents to provide cash deposits, withdrawals, airtime sales, and AzamTV package activations, with agents earning commissions on transactions and 2% bonus on airtime sold from TZS 500.
• Send/Withdraw Money Core money transfer service enabling free wallet-to-wallet transfers within AzamPesa (TZS 0 fee) and low-cost transfers to other mobile networks and banks, with cash-out available through the nationwide agent network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Save up to TZS 7,000+ per week or TZS 28,000+ per month on transaction fees for regular users sending TZS 10,000-20,000 daily
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CRDB BankcoreTechnology or IntegrationCRDB Bank is a key banking partner enabling bank-to-wallet and wallet-to-bank transfers. The bank also serves as a float distribution point for AzamPesa agents through its branch network across Tanzania.
• NMB BankcoreTechnology or IntegrationNMB Bank provides banking integration services for transfers and serves as a float distribution point for AzamPesa agents. Partnership enables seamless bank-to-mobile and mobile-to-bank transactions.
• Posta TanzaniacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll Posta Tanzania offices serve as cash-in/cash-out points for AzamPesa customers and float distribution centers for the agent network. This partnership extends AzamPesa's physical reach nationwide.
• Vodacom TanzaniacoreTechnology or IntegrationVodacom network integration allows AzamPesa access via USSD and app for Vodacom subscribers. Currently app-only access for Vodacom users; USSD (*150*08#) not available on Vodacom.
• Tigo TanzaniacoreTechnology or IntegrationTigo network integration enables AzamPesa access via both USSD (*150*08#) and mobile app for Tigo subscribers.
• Airtel TanzaniacoreTechnology or IntegrationAirtel network integration enables AzamPesa access via both USSD (*150*08#) and mobile app for Airtel subscribers.
• HalotelcoreTechnology or IntegrationHalotel network integration for app-based AzamPesa access. Currently app-only access for Halotel users.
• AzamTVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAzamTV retail shops and kiosks serve as registration points, cash-in/cash-out locations, and agent registration centers. AzamTV Migodi (hubs) in Dar es Salaam provide comprehensive AzamPesa services.
• Azam Ice-creamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAzam Ice-cream retail stores serve as physical cash-in/cash-out points and customer registration locations.
• Azam Food ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAzam Food Product stores serve as cash-in/cash-out points and registration centers for AzamPesa customers.
• Azam MarineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAzam Marine operates the AzamFerry service (Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar). AzamPesa integration enables ferry ticket booking and payment through the mobile wallet.
• Bank of TanzaniacoreOthersAzamPesa operates under license from the Bank of Tanzania, which regulates mobile money services under the National Payment Systems Act 2015.
• TCRA (Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority)coreOthersTCRA regulates AzamPesa's communications services under the Electronic and Postal Communications Act 2010.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• M-Pesa Tanzania (Vodacom): M-Pesa is the dominant mobile money operator in Tanzania operated by Vodacom, offering person-to-person transfers, bill payments, merchant payments, and savings/credit products. It is AzamPesa's largest direct competitor, anchored to the largest mobile network in the country.
• Tigo Pesa (Tigo Tanzania): Tigo Pesa is the mobile money service of Tigo Tanzania (now part of the Mixx by Yas portfolio), competing head-to-head with AzamPesa on person-to-person transfers, airtime, and merchant payments. It is one of the top three mobile money wallets in Tanzania.
• Airtel Money Tanzania: Airtel Money is the mobile money service of Airtel Tanzania, offering inter-wallet transfers, bill pay, and merchant collections. Directly comparable to AzamPesa on USSD access, agent network, and KYC-driven onboarding.
• HaloPesa (Halotel): HaloPesa is the mobile wallet of Halotel in Tanzania, providing inter-network transfers, bill payment, and airtime purchase. Listed as an AzamPesa integration counterpart and a smaller but direct peer in the same geographic market.
• T-Pesa (TTCL): T-Pesa is the mobile money service of TTCL (Tanzania Telecommunications Company), offering inter-network transfers and bill payments. Listed among AzamPesa's inter-wallet integration partners and operating in the same regulatory environment.
• Selcom: Selcom is a Tanzanian payment service provider offering mobile money aggregation, merchant POS, and payment processing across M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money, and bank channels. It competes with AzamPesa's Lipa Hapa merchant product and shares the same target market of SMB merchants in Tanzania.

Broad incumbents

• CRDB Bank: CRDB Bank is one of Tanzania's largest commercial banks, offers SimBanking mobile money and serves as an AzamPesa bank partner for float distribution and bank-to-wallet transfers. It overlaps with AzamPesa on payments but is a much broader financial services provider.
• NMB Bank: NMB Bank is Tanzania's largest bank by customer base and offers NMB Mobile banking. It partners with AzamPesa for float distribution and bank-to-wallet transfers while also running its own mobile financial services.

Regional players

• Orange Money: Orange Money is Orange's pan-African mobile money service operating across multiple Francophone and Anglophone African markets. It is not present in Tanzania but is structurally comparable to AzamPesa as a telco-agnostic/regional mobile money operator and a useful benchmark for African mobile money economics.

Emerging players

• Wave Mobile Money: Wave is a fast-growing mobile money operator with a no-fee consumer model similar to AzamPesa's free internal transfers, currently operating in Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, and Uganda. While not in Tanzania, it is a directly comparable business model peer for free P2P mobile money in Africa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AzamPesa
• Facebookfacebook.com/azampesa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/azampesa
• Instagraminstagram.com/azampesa
• TikToktiktok.com/@azampesa

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AzamPesa