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| NMB Bank Plc Head of Bancassurance, Martine Massawe (left) presents the Best Bancassurance Innovation and Partner of the Year – Tanzania 2026 award to the Bank’s Chief Retail Banking, Filbert Mponzi (right). The World Economic Magazine award was announced in May 2026 by the Delaware, United States-based organisation. |
DAR ES SALAAM – NMB Bank Plc has received international recognition for its leadership in digital insurance after being named Best Bancassurance Innovation and Partner of the Year – Tanzania 2026 by World Economic Magazine, highlighting the Bank's commitment to expanding access to insurance through technology-driven solutions and strategic partnerships.
The award, announced in May 2026 by the Delaware, United States-based publication, acknowledges NMB's efforts to transform insurance distribution by making products more accessible, affordable and convenient for millions of Tanzanians.
RECOGNISING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN INSURANCE
The recognition comes at a time when Tanzania continues to strengthen its insurance sector by promoting wider financial inclusion and increasing insurance uptake through digital channels.
According to the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA), insurance penetration rose to 2.08 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, up from 2.01 percent in 2023, reflecting steady market growth while also highlighting the significant opportunity to expand insurance coverage across the country.
NMB's latest award reinforces the important role that banks can play in bridging the insurance gap by integrating insurance services into everyday banking experiences.
JIRANI CHATBOT DRIVES DIGITAL INSURANCE ACCESS
One of the innovations behind the award is JIRANI, NMB's WhatsApp-based chatbot that enables customers to purchase insurance without visiting a branch.
Through the chatbot, customers can:
- Purchase motor and group life insurance.
- Complete policy enrolment.
- Upload required documents.
- Generate payment references.
- Initiate insurance claims.
The digital platform significantly simplifies the insurance purchasing journey by allowing customers to complete the entire process using their mobile phones.
UMEBIMA MINI APP EXPANDS MOBILE INSURANCE SERVICES
NMB has further strengthened its digital insurance ecosystem through the UmeBima Mini App, integrated within the NMB Mkononi Super App.
The platform enables customers to conveniently access insurance products alongside their everyday banking services, making insurance a seamless part of digital financial management.
By embedding insurance within its mobile banking ecosystem, NMB is reducing barriers related to distance, paperwork and lengthy procedures that have traditionally limited insurance adoption.
LEADERSHIP REACTS TO THE GLOBAL RECOGNITION
NMB Chief of Retail Banking, Filbert Mponzi, said the international recognition validates the Bank's ongoing investment in technology and collaborative partnerships aimed at making insurance more inclusive.
"This award is a recognition of the work being undertaken by our team and partners to ensure that insurance services are simpler, more accessible and capable of reaching more Tanzanians," said Mponzi.
Meanwhile, NMB Head of Bancassurance, Martine Massawe, noted that the Bank's digital innovations have significantly improved customer convenience.
"Through JIRANI and UmeBima, we have made it easier for customers to access insurance through their mobile phones. They can obtain information, purchase cover and complete important steps more conveniently," she said.
PARTNERSHIPS POWERING INSURANCE INCLUSION
NMB said the achievement reflects strong collaboration with insurance providers and technology partners, combining the Bank's nationwide distribution network with specialist underwriting expertise and digital innovation.
The partnership model enables customers to access quality insurance products through trusted financial channels while accelerating financial inclusion.
REACHING MILLIONS OF TANZANIANS
With more than 10 million customers, 251 branches, and over 75,000 NMB Wakala agents across Tanzania, NMB has built one of the country's largest financial service networks.
This extensive footprint provides a strong platform for delivering insurance protection to individuals, families, community groups and businesses in both urban and rural areas.
The Bank says it will continue investing in digital innovation, customer education and strategic partnerships to improve insurance awareness, accessibility and uptake nationwide.
SUPPORTING TANZANIA'S FINANCIAL INCLUSION AGENDA
The latest international recognition underscores NMB's broader commitment to financial inclusion by leveraging digital technology to make insurance products more accessible to underserved communities.
As insurance continues to play an increasingly important role in protecting households and businesses against financial risks, innovations such as JIRANI and UmeBima demonstrate how digital banking can accelerate insurance penetration and contribute to Tanzania's socio-economic development.
For more Banking & Finance news, market insights and corporate updates, follow the Kitomari Banking & Finance Blog.
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