Justicia Shipena
MTC Maris customers can borrow up to N$1,500 in 60 seconds through a new service launched in partnership with Letshego Micro Financial Services Namibia (LMFSN).
The instant loan product, called Taamba Maris, allows eligible users to access loans ranging from N$100 to N$1,500 through their Maris mobile financial services wallets.
The service went live on Thursday. It runs over USSD, making it available even in areas with limited internet access, and takes about a minute with funds disbursed instantly.
To qualify, applicants must be Namibian citizens aged 18 to 60, have been active on the MTC network for at least three months, and hold an active Maris wallet.
Eligibility is determined through automated Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and credit scoring, aligned with the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) sandbox regulations.
LMFSN chief executive officer Melvin Angula said the product was developed to reach informal traders, small entrepreneurs, and low-income earners often excluded from traditional finance.
“We took the best use cases and methodologies from other markets, including Kenya, to ensure the product is not only accessible but also protects the consumer,” he said.
Interest is charged as a once-off fee: 14% for seven days, 18% for 14 days, and 22% for 30 days.
The first phase is capped at N$2 million and targets 6,000 pre-approved customers.
Angula said the loan service offers a pathway to building a financial identity.
“This platform can help individuals build a credit score, which can eventually serve as a form of financial identity and open doors to more credit in the future,” he said.
Maris currently has over 470,000 registered users.
The general manager for MTC Maris, Kayembe Ilunga, said the launch is part of MTC’s goal to expand financial inclusion using mobile technology.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey toward financial inclusion and digital empowerment. This product is more than just a technological innovation; it is a bridge to opportunity, a tool for empowerment, and a symbol of our shared commitment to making financial services accessible to all, especially to those in underserved and remote communities,” he said.
Ilunga said customers with the required transaction history can qualify.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Maris Board, Jerome Namaseb, described the launch as a deliberate step toward addressing a real challenge.
“This launch is not just a milestone; it’s a movement. When we first discussed the idea (Taamba Maris), it wasn’t just about launching a product; it was about solving a real challenge,” he said.
“We are deliberate in our mission to become the leaders of our own destiny and to position Namibia as the choice in digital innovation and the enabling partner toward a digital economy.”
Namaseb said the product targets young entrepreneurs and underserved communities in need of fast, mobile-based financial solutions.
“We are proud of our bold step to rewrite how we access microfunding in the country,” he said.
MTC is working with Mobipay and other partners to ensure cash-in and cash-out services are available at 17 physical branches and more than 80 mobile outlets across Namibia.
