By Jola – Financial Writer & Author
With the growing number of online lenders in Zambia, it’s important to know which ones are genuine, safe, and registered. Thankfully, the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) maintains a list of licensed non-bank financial institutions — ensuring borrowers are protected from scams and predatory lenders.
Below is a verified list of Bank of Zambia–approved lenders, offering soft loans, salary advances, and business loans — both online and via USSD codes.
List of Registered / Legit Loan Apps in Zambia (2025 Update)

Here’s a summary of trusted and registered lenders in Zambia, their loan limits, interest rates, and customer support contacts.
📊 Comparison Table of Registered Loan Apps in Zambia
| Lender / Loan App | Registered Company | Loan Amount (ZMW) | Interest Rate | Repayment Period | Application Method | Customer Support | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KaStarta Loans | Emerald Finance Ltd | K500 – K50,000 | Competitive (varies) | 14 – 90 days | Dial *115# (MTN/Airtel) | 111 | Fast mobile loans |
| YesCash Zambia | Express Credit Zambia | K1,500 – K100,000 | Low interest rate | Flexible terms | Dial 494120# | 3334 | Longer repayment schedule |
| Zambou Loans | Zambou Finance | Flexible (based on income) | Moderate | Short-term | Physical branches (Kitwe, Ndola) | 0966919073 / 0966998106 | Salary advance loans |
| Extenda Zambia | Extenda Finance Ltd | K500 – K250,000 | Low interest | 1 – 72 months | Office or online | – | SME & business loans |
| Tandiza Finance | Tandiza Finance Ltd | Variable | Low & flexible | Custom | Call or visit | 0961768350 | SME & salary loans |
| Biu Capital (ZamLoan) | Biu Capital Ltd | From K500 | Affordable | 14 – 30 days | Online / app | – | No collateral loans |
| Unifi Credit Zambia | Unifi Credit Ltd | Varies by profile | From 6% | Short-term | Dial *414# / UniApp | 0966414414 | Loans in under 20 minutes |
Detailed Review of Each Registered Loan App
1️⃣ KaStarta Loans Zambia – By Emerald Finance Ltd
KaStarta is one of the most convenient mobile loan services in Zambia. Operated by Emerald Finance Ltd, it is fully licensed by the Bank of Zambia.
- Loan Amount: K500 – K50,000
- Application: Dial *USSD *115# on MTN or Airtel
- Customer Support: 111
- Highlight: Instant approval, minimal paperwork, and direct mobile disbursement.
2️⃣ YesCash Zambia – By Express Credit Zambia
YesCash provides reliable payday, civil servant, and open market loans. It’s known for low interest rates and longer repayment terms.
- Loan Amount: K1,500 – K100,000
- Repayment: Flexible schedules
- Apply via: USSD *494*120#
- Customer Care: 3334
- Highlight: Perfect for salary earners and traders needing emergency cash.
3️⃣ Zambou Loans Zambia
Registered under the Bank of Zambia, Zambou provides salary advances and quick personal loans.
- Branches: Kitwe & Ndola
- Contact: 0966 919073 / 0966 998106
- Highlight: Great for employed clients seeking short-term cash flow relief.
4️⃣ Extenda Zambia
Extenda is a trusted source of business loans for SMEs, startups, and established companies.
- Loan Range: K500 – K250,000
- Repayment: 1 – 72 months
- Highlight: Transparent pricing and long-term repayment flexibility.
5️⃣ Tandiza Finance Zambia
Tandiza Finance offers quick loans and SME financing at friendly rates.
- Customer Support: 0961 768350
- Highlight: Provides both personal and business loans; fully licensed by BoZ.
6️⃣ Biu Capital (ZamLoan)
Biu Capital offers short-term unsecured loans — no collateral needed.
- Loan Range: From K500
- Repayment: 14–30 days
- Highlight: Great for emergencies and short-term financial gaps.
7️⃣ Unifi Credit Zambia
Unifi Credit is known for super-fast loans — often within 20 minutes.
- Interest Rate: From 6%
- Application: *USSD *414# or via UniApp
- Customer Support: 0966 414414
- Highlight: Reliable, quick, and easy-to-use platform.
🏢 Other Notable Bank of Zambia–Registered Non-Bank Lenders
The following companies are also listed on the Bank of Zambia’s official directory of licensed financial service providers:
- Nchanga Finance
- Microloan Zambia
- Kukumba Solutions
- Izwe Zambia
- Fair Choice Finance
- Eleazar Finance
- ASA Microfinance Zambia
- ZED-Finance
- Inde Credit
- Agora Microfinance
- ALS Capital
- FMC Finance
- Good Fellow Finance
These lenders offer a mix of civil servant loans, business financing, and emergency personal loans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1️⃣ Are these loan apps genuine?
✅ Yes. All lenders listed here are licensed and regulated by the Bank of Zambia (BoZ) — ensuring your loan is protected under national financial laws.
2️⃣ How can I verify a lender’s legitimacy?
Visit the Bank of Zambia official website and check the list of licensed non-bank financial institutions. Always confirm before applying.
3️⃣ What documents are required?
Most registered lenders in Zambia require:
- Valid NRC (National ID)
- Proof of employment or business income
- Active mobile number (MTN, Airtel, or Zamtel)
4️⃣ Can I get a loan without collateral?
Yes. Apps like Biu Capital, KaStarta, and Tandiza Finance offer unsecured loans based on your credit profile.
5️⃣ How fast are the loans processed?
Apps such as Unifi Credit and KaStarta can process loans in under 30 minutes, depending on verification.
6️⃣ What happens if I don’t repay on time?
Late repayments may lead to penalties, higher interest rates, or credit restrictions. Always repay on time to improve your loan limit.
Final Thoughts — By Jola
Zambia’s lending sector is evolving, offering safe, fast, and digital loan options regulated by the Bank of Zambia. Whether you’re a civil servant, entrepreneur, or trader, these registered loan apps ensure you can access credit securely — without falling prey to unlicensed lenders.
Always remember:
“Borrow wisely. Repay promptly. Only trust Bank of Zambia–approved lenders.”
With that discipline, financial freedom is within your reach!!
There are some online money lenders apps not listed and we have fallen victims to them, their interest rate is 50%,in 7 days, others 28%in 14 days(2% every day after defaulting)
Is this what should be, licenced or not licensed?
Kindly advise.