Millennium Bim Makes Smart IZI App Zero-Rated in Mozambique

In Short

• Millennium bim says customers can access its Smart IZI app without using mobile data.
• The initiative is called “Smart IZI Mahala”, “mahala” means free.
• The bank says it is working with telecom operators to make this possible.

What Happened

On August 20, 2026, Millennium bim announced that customers can use the Smart IZI mobile banking app without consuming their airtime balance or data bundle.

This is called zero-rating, a setup where a telco does not charge data for a specific app or website. For users, it feels like “free internet” only for that service.

Millennium bim said the feature was implemented in partnership with telecom operators. The bank did not name the operators or share whether the benefit applies across all plans, locations, or device types.

The bank positioned the move as part of its digital transformation and financial inclusion strategy. Financial inclusion means bringing more people into formal financial services, such as accounts, payments, and savings.

Millennium bim also highlighted Smart IZI’s broader features. These include account management and bank transactions, and it says new customers can open an account fully online without visiting a branch.

Why It Matters

Mobile data costs are a real barrier to app-based banking in many African markets, especially for lower-income users and people outside major cities. Removing that cost can increase how often customers check balances, move money, or pay bills.

For banks, higher app usage can reduce branch traffic and support costs. It can also push more customers toward digital onboarding and self-service, which helps banks scale.

For Mozambique’s wider fintech and telecom ecosystem, zero-rated banking can create pressure for clearer rules and transparency. Users will want to know what is included, what is not, and whether other services inside the app, like embedded web pages, also remain data-free.