Tanzania M-Pesa Expand to All Bank Accounts in East Africa

Tanzania M-Pesa Expands to all bank accounts in East Africa

Mobile operator and money service provider Vodacom Tanzania has recently initiated the second phase of its International Money Remittance expansion scheme that allows for direct money transfers from M-Pesa to all bank accounts in East Africa.

The Vodacom M-Pesa mobile-based money transfer service now allows for direct money transfers from M-Pesa to all bank accounts in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda, in addition to Tanzania, but also other mobile money wallets.

Earlier, M-Pesa customers were able to send mobile money to other Mobile money networks in East Africa like Safaricom, Airtel and MTN, and to bank accounts in Tanzania.

Vodacom Tanzania Plc was the first mobile provider to launch a mobile money service in the country. From mobile money transfer, the service has expanded to include bill payments, savings and loans, and merchant’s payments.

M-Pesa currently services approximately 240,000 users monthly who receive international remittances. However, there remains a significant number of users who still use traditional bank transfers and other means of cash transfer.

Mobile Money in Tanzania

Tanzania’s mobile money penetration reached 53% with 29.7 million mobile money subscriptions in 2020, compared to 21 million in 2018, with an increase of 41%. 

In June 2020, 272,339,270 mobile money transactions took place, for a total value of USD 4.6 billion.

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

Download Free Guide
Related Posts
Bank of Tanzania Financial Stability Index 2014-2025
Read More

Tanzania Banking Assets Up 23.8%, Capital Markets Up 35.1%, Social Security Up 21.4%, Insurance Up 6.8% in 2025

The Bank of Tanzania Financial Stability Report for 2025 shows banking sector total assets grew 23.8% to TZS 76,975 billion, private sector credit expanded 23.5% with mining up 30.1% and trade up 29.4%, and the non-performing loans ratio fell to 2.8%, the lowest in the East African Community. Total capital market investment rose 35.1% to TZS 63,096.4 billion, social security assets grew 21.4% to TZS 25,921 billion, insurance assets rose 6.8% to TZS 2,633.6 billion, and foreign reserves stood at USD 6,312 million covering 5.2 months of imports.
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 Second Financial Sector Stakeholders Forum
Read More

Tanzania Outlines Eight Financial Sector Priorities From Climate Finance to Islamic Banking and Launches Insurance Strategies to Raise Sector GDP Contribution to 30%

Tanzania's Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar has outlined eight financial sector priorities—from climate finance and Islamic banking to digital asset regulation and SME capital access—and launched two new insurance strategies. The National Inclusive Insurance Strategy (NIIS) targets agriculture, livestock, fisheries, mining, and forestry, while the RIDeS aims to raise insurance's GDP contribution from 22% to 30%.