By Business Insider Reporter
In a significant milestone for Tanzania’s insurance industry, Metro Life Assurance, in partnership with NMB Bank, has successfully settled over TSh4.2 billion in insurance claims under the Group Life Insurance product known as Mkono wa Pole within a span of just three years.
This landmark development was revealed by Metro Life Assurance CEO, Amani Boma, during the official launch of the newly repackaged and digitised Mkono wa Pole Group Life Insurance product, which now enables group members to access the insurance service via mobile phones and receive compensation payouts in under 48 hours
Introduced three years ago, Mkono wa Pole is a low-cost, high-impact life insurance solution tailored for Tanzania’s community groups. With monthly contributions starting at just TSh500, members are eligible for compensation of up to TSh5 million, offering critical financial relief during life’s most difficult moments.
“Since 2022, Mkono wa Pole has served as a lifeline to thousands of Tanzanian families, providing timely funeral benefits when they needed it most. Paying over TSh4.2 billion in claims clearly demonstrates the impact of inclusive insurance models tailored for the mass market,” said Mr Boma.
According to him, the newly launched embedded group funnel product enables community groups to conveniently purchase and manage life insurance entirely through WhatsApp – eliminating the need for paperwork, visits to NMB Bank branches, or any in-person interactions.
Unveiled in Dar es Salaam late last month, the revamped Mkono wa Pole digital insurance solution represents a major step forward in promoting inclusive finance and expanding social protection across the country.
By integrating with WhatsApp – one of the most widely used messaging platforms in Tanzania – the service effectively removes many, if not all, of the traditional barriers to group life insurance enrollment and claims processing.
“We partnered with NMB Bank to pioneer Group Life Insurance in Tanzania because of their extensive branch network, strong relationships with community groups, and deep connection to the people,” Mr. Boma explained, adding that the digital upgrade of Mkono wa Pole will enhance service delivery and extend its benefits to even more individuals.
“The product we are launching today marks the digital transformation of the group life insurance solution we first introduced in partnership with Metro Life in 2022,” said Mr. Martine Massawe, Head of NMB Bancassurance, during the launch event.
“It directly addresses key challenges – particularly delays in claims processing – and brings insurance access closer to Tanzanians by leveraging a platform they already use daily.”
“Our aim is to make insurance as seamless and familiar as sending a text message. With this WhatsApp-based solution, we are removing traditional barriers and placing financial protection directly in the hands of the people,” he added.
Using WhatsApp, group leaders initiate the policy purchase by messaging 0747 333 444. NMB’s chatbot, JIRANI, then guides users through the entire enrollment process – capturing group details, uploading documents, and generating a payment reference.
The claim process has also been digitized. Leaders can submit claims and track their status via WhatsApp, significantly cutting processing time and improving transparency. Regulators have praised the initiative, with the Commissioner of Insurance, Dr Baghayo Saqware, calling it a “model of innovation and patriotism” that supports the government’s broader goals of financial inclusion and risk protection for all Tanzanians.
