Tunzaa

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Overview

Tunzaa is a Tanzanian fintech company that was established in 2021. It provides an installment payment platform that enables consumers to make purchases by paying in advance. The company aims to facilitate financial inclusion by empowering consumers with better financial habits. Headquartered in Dar es Salaam, the startup was founded by Ng’winula Kingamkono. As of its latest funding round, Tunzaa Fintech has raised a total of $86,000 from investors including Warioba Ventures and Startup Wise Guys.

Recent Developments

  • December 2024: Tunzaa Fintech secured additional funding from Warioba Ventures, which aims to support its expansion and scale its innovative payments API that allows for e-commerce transactions in installments. This investment highlights Tunzaa's role in fostering financial empowerment and promoting economic growth in African markets.

  • August 2024: Tunzaa introduced the "Mauzo" system to support entrepreneurs, businesses, and service providers in growing their business via referral codes and to capitalize on new digital features that enhance performance and user experience.

  • October 2023: Tunzaa Fintech presented at the Slush event in Finland, significantly enhancing its international recognition and opening doors to potential global partnerships.

  • October 2023: Collaborated with Vodacom Tanzania to integrate the Tunzaa platform with the M-Pesa mobile money service, allowing a more extensive reach and offering improved service to their customer base.

  • 2023: Secured a payment license from the Bank of Tanzania, facilitating new revenue streams and reinforcing compliance and operational capacity.

Company Information

AttributeInformation
Founding Date2021
HeadquartersDar es Salaam, Tanzania
FoundersNg’winula Kingamkono
RevenueNot publicly disclosed
ProfitsNot publicly disclosed
Key InvestorsWarioba Ventures, Startup Wise Guys
IndustryFinancial Technology (Fintech)
Number of EmployeesApproximately 10

Early History

Tunzaa was founded in June 2021 by Ng’winula Kingamkono with a vision to transform the financial habits of everyday Africans. The founder's journey involved multiple ventures before launching Tunzaa, including experience in software development, to create a platform that caters to the needs of middle and low-income earners in Africa. The company became officially operational after successfully testing various prototypes and receiving positive market reception. Tunzaa's approach was bolstered by community feedback and a focus on user-centric design to address real financial challenges faced by Africans.

Company Profile and Achievements

Tunzaa operates as a marketplace with a reverse buy-now-pay-later model that allows users to save and purchase goods without going into debt. Key achievements and milestones include:

  • Funding Size: Raised $86K in seed funding to support its growth and technology development.
  • User Base: As of October 2023, Tunzaa served over 11,000 users, facilitating numerous orders with significant feedback used for continuous improvement.
  • Strategic Partnerships: The partnership with Vodacom Tanzania's M-Pesa service in 2023 enhanced their transaction capabilities and integration in the Tanzanian digital finance ecosystem.
  • Market Expansion: A focus on expanding community engagement, including developers, businesses, and users, to foster a stronger ecosystem.
  • Product Development: Launch of TunzaaPlus for merchants and continuous improvements on the Tunzaa app to provide extensive financial management tools.

Current Operations and Market Position

Currently, Tunzaa operates as a financial technology platform targeting consumers who wish to manage their financial transactions through savings and installment payments. The company differentiates itself with its gamified incentives to encourage savings and improve financial habits. Tunzaa holds a competitive edge in its ability to offer tailored financial solutions that align with the cultural and economic context of its user base in Tanzania and aims to expand further within African markets.

Conclusion

Tunzaa Fintech has carved a niche in the African fintech industry by providing a platform that supports financial inclusion and enables low and middle-income earners to manage purchases effectively. Its strategy of integrating financial technology with local banking systems and mobile platforms such as M-Pesa illustrates its commitment to facilitating comprehensive financial services. Looking forward, Tunzaa aims to strengthen its market position through innovation, strategic partnerships, and an emphasis on community-driven growth, indicating strong potential for future success and impact in the financial sector.

References

  1. Tunzaa Fintech Secures Funding
  2. Tunzaa Fintech Profile 2024
  3. Tunzaa Launches New Platform
  4. Ng'winula Kingamkono's Medium Article
  5. Tunzaa at Slush 2023 6. Tunzaa Business Platform Introduction