IFC Promote Mobile Money Interoperability in Tanzania

Tanzania Mobile Money Interoperability

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, launched a consumer education campaign to raise awareness about interoperable mobile money services that help to promote financial inclusion in Tanzania.

The marketing campaign, which aims to reach one million individuals, will be rolled out over six months from March to September 2017.

IFC has appointed Fern Tanzania Ltd of Tanzanian to lead the campaign, in collaboration with the mobile phone operators.

In September 2014, Tanzania’s four major mobile phone operators—Vodacom, Tigo, Airtel and Zantel—reached an interoperability agreement to allow their customers to interact with each other.

Through the interoperability agreement customers can make payments from the mobile money account of one provider to the mobile money account of another provider.

This makes Tanzania one of the first countries in the world with an industry-agreed interoperable market for mobile financial services.

However, an IFC report title “Achieving Interoperability in Mobile Financial Services: Tanzania Case Study,” identified limited awareness of interoperability, coupled with competitive pressures and lack of trust among operators as key barriers to growth in the sector.

“Mobile payments services have had a tremendous impact in promoting financial inclusion in many countries of the world, including Tanzania and its neighboring countries,” said Riadh Naouar, Head of Advisory Services, IFC Financial Industries Group. “IFC is invested in the continued development of this regional innovation and is providing investments and technical support to banks, mobile network operators, microfinance institutions and other payment services providers.”

IFC Tanzania
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.

Want to know more about Telecoms in Tanzania? Our free Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers Telecoms, plus regulations, key sectors, and investment opportunities—all in one place.

Download Free Guide
Related Posts
Tanzania ICT Telecom Budget 2026-2027
Read More

Tanzania Allocates USD 89M ICT Budget for 2026/27 Targeting Rural Towers, DRC Fibre Link, and 5G Expansion

Tanzania's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has tabled a TZS 222.6 billion (USD 89 million) budget for 2026/27, with 94.1% allocated to development projects including rural towers, National ICT Broadband Backbone expansion to DRC, and National Data Centres. The Ministry will disburse TZS 5 billion to at least 50 ICT startups via NMB Bank starting May 2026, while targeting 55% smartphone penetration by 2027 across a sector that grew 14.3% in 2024.
Tanzania Ventures Lab (TVL)
Read More

Tanzania Launches Ventures Lab to Develop 1,000 Startups by 2029

The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) has inaugurated the Tanzania Ventures Lab (TVL), a four-year initiative targeting the commercialization of 1,000 startup ideas. The program focuses on technical support and investment readiness across sectors including mining, agriculture, and artificial intelligence to facilitate private sector integration.
Tanzania Startups Labeling
Read More

Tanzania Launches New Labeling System for Startups to Attract Investments

The ICT Commission of Tanzania has launched a new tiered labeling framework—Silver, Gold, and Tanzanite—to classify and support 161 selected local startups based on their growth stage. This initiative aims to accelerate digital transformation by connecting innovators with international investors, regulatory incentives, and government procurement opportunities.