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Friday, 30 May 2025

NMB and Metro Life Launch Tanzania’s First WhatsApp-Enabled Group Life Insurance

By a Special Correspondent

Dar es Salaam | May 29, 2025

In a groundbreaking move that’s set to redefine the future of insurance in Tanzania, NMB Bank Plc has partnered with Metro Life Assurance to launch the country’s first group life insurance service powered by WhatsApp.

This digital innovation enhances the widely appreciated Mkono wa Pole Group Life Insurance product, offering a more accessible and user-friendly experience—especially for everyday Tanzanians in remote or informal communities.


Insurance at Your Fingertips

Unveiled during a launch event held in Dar es Salaam, the WhatsApp-based solution enables community groups—such as school clubs, families, workplace teams, VICOBA groups, and even WhatsApp social circles—to purchase, manage, and claim life insurance entirely through WhatsApp, eliminating paperwork, branch visits, and in-person interactions.

“This innovative solution has been intentionally designed to make insurance more accessible and meaningful to everyday Tanzanians,” said Mr. Filbert Mponzi, NMB Bank’s Chief of Retail Banking.
“By leveraging popular digital platforms like WhatsApp, we’re removing traditional barriers and extending coverage to even the most remote communities.”


Affordable and Inclusive

The group life cover offers premiums starting at just TZS 500 per member per month, with compensation benefits of up to TZS 5 million.

This affordability, coupled with simplified digital access, positions the product as a catalyst for advancing financial inclusion and social protection in Tanzania.

Mr. Mponzi acknowledged the crucial role played by the Government and the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) in enabling such innovations through supportive policies.


Support from the Insurance Regulator

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Baghayo Saqware, Commissioner of Insurance at TIRA, hailed the initiative as a landmark achievement in driving inclusive insurance and digital transformation:

“This is a patriotic and strategic collaboration that aligns perfectly with our agenda of making insurance accessible to all Tanzanians,” he said.
“It proves that when regulation and innovation go hand in hand, real impact happens.”


Built for Simplicity and Speed

With the help of NMB’s intelligent chatbot, JIRANI, group leaders can:

  • Initiate policy purchase by messaging 0747 333 444
  • Complete enrollment digitally (including document uploads and payment generation)
  • Submit and track claims—all within WhatsApp

According to Mr. Martine Massawe, Head of NMB Bancassurance, this digital evolution of the Mkono wa Pole product directly addresses previous challenges—particularly delays in claim settlement.

“We’ve brought insurance right to people’s fingertips—faster, simpler, and more transparent than ever before,” he noted.


Looking Ahead: Innovation Continues

Mr. Amani Boma, CEO of Metro Life Assurance, praised the NMB-Metro partnership as transformative for the industry. He reiterated Metro Life’s commitment to developing even more tech-driven solutions for the underserved.

“This group life solution has been a game-changer due to its affordability, sustainability, and inclusive design,” said Mr. Boma.
“We’re just getting started in our journey to modernize and expand insurance across Tanzania.”


Final Thoughts

The launch of Tanzania’s first WhatsApp-enabled group life insurance is more than a technological milestone—it’s a social and financial breakthrough. It demonstrates how banks, insurers, and regulators can work together to create solutions that meet people where they are, using the tools they already trust.

As Tanzania embraces the digital economy, innovations like these are not just timely—they’re essential.


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