Safety, in plain words
Your money, held safe.
No longolongo here! This page says where your money sits, who checks the sellers, what happens when something goes wrong — and what we do with your data (very little).
The holding
Where the money actually sits
When you pay, the money goes to Mtu Kati — held with a licensed payment partner, separate from our own money. The seller can see it’s real; nobody can spend it. It moves in exactly three ways:
- You confirm delivery — nimepokea — and it’s released to the seller.
- You do nothing after delivery proof, and it auto-releases a few days later — after two reminders, with the date written on your order.
- A dispute is decided — refund to you, release to the seller, or a fair split.
Not in the seller’s pocket. Not ours to spend.
Who’s selling
Sellers verify who they are
“Verify once, sell forever.”
Before selling or receiving payouts, every seller verifies their identity — an ID document (NIDA card, passport or licence) plus a selfie. Checks are handled securely and privately, and usually take minutes, so honest sellers aren’t kept waiting.
When it’s not right
Disputes, without the drama
If something’s wrong, raise a dispute before you confirm — the money stays held the whole time. The seller answers first; if you can’t agree, a Mtu Kati mediator reviews both sides’ evidence and decides: refund, release, or a fair split. The reasons are written down, every shilling is accounted for, and there’s an appeal path if you disagree.
Usijali — raising an issue never costs you the held money.
Your data
Kept quietly, used sparingly
- No ads, no third-party trackers, no selling your data — in the app or on this website.
- Messages and money movements are encrypted in transit; access to systems is restricted and logged.
- You can download your data or delete your account from inside the app. Some records — like identity checks and transaction history — must be kept as long as the law requires; the Privacy Policy says exactly what and why.
Good habits at any market
- Keep the chat and the payment inside the app — that’s where the protection lives.
- Give your handover code only when the item is in your hands — the code is what releases delivery.
- Your PIN belongs to your phone and your network. Mtu Kati never asks for it — not in chat, not by SMS, not ever.
- Check it calmly before you confirm — release is final, and there’s no prize for rushing.
Questions people ask
Asked and answered.
What is Mtu Kati?
Mtu Kati is an escrow marketplace for Tanzania. When you buy, your money is held by Mtu Kati — not the seller — and is released only when you confirm the item arrived as described.
What does “escrow” mean?
Escrow means the payment waits with a trusted middle party while the deal completes. The seller sees the money is real before shipping; the buyer inspects the item before the money moves.
Is it safe to buy online in Tanzania?
The biggest risk is paying first and receiving nothing. Mtu Kati is built to remove exactly that risk: the seller never holds your money while you wait — Mtu Kati does, and it moves only when you say the deal is done.
How do I avoid online scams (matapeli)?
Never send money straight to someone you don’t know. On Mtu Kati the payment goes into escrow, sellers verify their identity with an ID document and a selfie, and a human mediator steps in if something goes wrong.
When does the seller get paid?
When the buyer confirms delivery — or automatically a few days after delivery proof if the buyer forgets, with two reminders first. The exact date is always written on the order.
What if the item never arrives, or isn’t as described?
Raise a dispute. The money stays held while a human mediator hears both sides — refund, release, or a fair split, with the reasons written down.
Which payment methods will Mtu Kati support?
Mtu Kati is built mobile-money-first for Tanzania — you pay into escrow from your phone. The full list of supported methods will be announced at launch.
When is Mtu Kati launching?
We’re pre-launch, polishing the app. Join the waitlist and we’ll write to you the day the doors open — nothing else, no noise.
Safe is the whole point.
Coming to all platforms — Android, iPhone and the web. Join the waitlist and be there on day one.
Join the waitlist · JiungeOpens your email app · hello@mtukati.com