M-Pawa vs Timiza vs Tigo Nivushe

Tanzania's three most popular mobile money loans compared side-by-side. Find out which one offers the best rates, highest limits, and suits your needs.

Last updated: January 2026

BEST FOR HIGHER LIMITS

M-Pawa

Up to TZS 5,000,000 for established users with good history

BEST FOR FIRST-TIME BORROWERS

Timiza

Easy approval and flexible terms for new borrowers

BEST FOR TIGO USERS

Tigo Nivushe

Exclusive rates and features for Tigo Pesa customers

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	M-Pawa	Timiza	Tigo Nivushe
Provider	Vodacom M-Pesa + CBA	Airtel Money + NCBA	Tigo Pesa + NMB
Minimum Loan	TZS 1,000	TZS 5,000	TZS 5,000
Maximum Loan	TZS 5,000,000	TZS 3,000,000	TZS 2,000,000
Interest Rate	9% (30 days)	7.5% (30 days)	9% (30 days)
Repayment Period	30 days	30 days	30 days
Disbursement	Instant to M-Pesa	Instant to Airtel Money	Instant to Tigo Pesa
USSD Code	15000#	15066#	15001#
Min Account Age	6 months	3 months	6 months
Savings Required	Yes (M-Pawa savings)	No	Recommended

Detailed Analysis

M-Pawa by Vodacom M-Pesa

Tanzania's most popular mobile money loan

Pros

Highest loan limits (up to TZS 5M)
Largest mobile network coverage
Earn interest on M-Pawa savings
Widely accepted for payments

Cons

Requires M-Pawa savings balance
6-month account requirement
Can be slow during peak times

Apply for M-Pawa

Timiza by Airtel Money

Best rates for Airtel users

Pros

Lowest interest rate (7.5%)
Only 3-month account requirement
No savings balance needed
Quick approval process

Cons

Lower maximum limit (TZS 3M)
Smaller network than M-Pesa
Less widespread acceptance

Apply for Timiza

Tigo Nivushe

Tigo Pesa's flagship loan product

Pros

Strong in Lake Zone regions
NMB bank partnership
Good for Tigo Pesa users
Reliable disbursement

Cons

Lower maximum (TZS 2M)
Same 9% rate as M-Pawa
Requires 6-month history

Apply for Tigo Nivushe

Which Loan is Right for You?

Choose M-Pawa if...

You need larger loan amounts (TZS 1M+)
You're already an active M-Pesa user
You want to earn interest on savings too
You have 6+ months of M-Pesa history

Choose Timiza if...

You want the lowest interest rate
You're new to mobile loans (3-month history)
You're an Airtel Money user
You don't have savings to deposit

Choose Tigo Nivushe if...

You're a dedicated Tigo Pesa user
You're in Lake Zone where Tigo is strong
You prefer NMB bank partnership
You need moderate amounts (up to TZS 2M)

Pro Tip

Many Tanzanians use multiple mobile money services. You can build loan history on all three platforms by making regular transactions and saving. This gives you more borrowing options and lets you compare rates in real-time.