Laina Finance

Laina Finance is a digital financing platform for consumers and merchants in Tanzania that provides flexible payment plans for purchases, insurance premiums, and short-term cash needs.

Key capabilities include:

• Buy now, pay later at checkout: access instant checkout loans for purchases at participating merchants, with an online or USSD application and an instant decision.
• Device financing: finance electronics and devices on a flexible repayment plan to spread the cost over time.
• Insurance premium financing: pay insurance premiums in manageable installments instead of a single upfront payment.
• Conventional loans and Sharia-compliant financing: choose between conventional loans (repayable up to 6 months, with late repayment fees) and Islamic financing options built around risk sharing and no Riba (late repayment fees go to charity).

Available via USSD (15047#) and the web (including a reseller portal). The customer app includes a virtual credit card for making credit payments at merchants; the business app supports selling to customers on credit while the platform manages risk.

It targets government and private sector (SME) employees, Vodacom subscribers, and business owners, plus resellers, merchants, and partner businesses.

Notable in Tanzania’s fintech market for its scale and distribution, including 19.5k+ customers, 450+ resellers (including Vodacom shops), 30+ partners, and an expansion presence in Rwanda.