Frequently Asked Questions

MALIPOPAY is a payment aggregation platform built by Lockwood Technology Ltd in Tanzania. We provide a single, unified API and dashboard that enables businesses to accept payments through all major mobile money operators (M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, Airtel Money, Halopesa, TTCL Pesa), banks (CRDB, NMB), card networks (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, American Express), and our dedicated USSD channel (*146*08#). Instead of integrating with each provider separately, you connect once to MALIPOPAY and gain access to every payment channel in Tanzania.

To get started, visit app.malipopay.co.tz and click "Sign Up." You will need to provide your business details, including your company name, TIN, and contact information. After submitting your registration, our team will verify your business information as part of our KYC (Know Your Customer) process. Once verified, your account will be activated and you can begin accepting payments. The entire process typically takes 1-2 business days.

For individual merchants, you will need a valid national ID or passport, your TIN certificate, and proof of address. For business merchants, you will need your Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration Certificate, TIN certificate, a board resolution authorizing the account signatory (for companies), and identification documents for directors and shareholders holding 25% or more ownership. All documents should be clear, legible copies.

MALIPOPAY currently operates exclusively in the United Republic of Tanzania. We are licensed and regulated under the Bank of Tanzania as a Payment Service Provider. We are exploring expansion into other East African markets, but at present, our services are available only to businesses operating within Tanzania.

We support a comprehensive range of payment channels: Mobile Money (M-Pesa via Vodacom, Mixx by Yas, Airtel Money, Halopesa by Halotel, and TTCL Pesa), Bank Payments (CRDB Bank and NMB Bank), Card Payments (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, and American Express), and USSD Payments via our dedicated short code *146*08#. All channels are accessible through a single API integration or through the merchant dashboard.

Settlement timelines depend on your account tier and the payment channel used. Mobile money and bank collections are typically settled within 24 hours (T+1) on business days. Card payments may take 2-3 business days due to processing requirements from card networks. We are continuously working to reduce settlement times across all channels. You can track all settlements in real time through your merchant dashboard.

Refunds can be initiated through the merchant dashboard or via the API. For mobile money transactions, refunds are processed as a disbursement back to the payer's mobile money wallet and typically complete within minutes. For card transactions, refunds are processed through the card network and may take 5-14 business days to appear on the payer's statement, depending on the issuing bank. Partial refunds are supported for all payment channels.

Our dedicated USSD short code is *146*08#. Payers can dial this code from any mobile phone on any network in Tanzania to make payments to merchants registered on the MALIPOPAY platform. The USSD channel does not require a smartphone or internet connection, making it accessible to all mobile subscribers across the country.

Yes, through our card payment channel. We accept Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, and American Express cards issued anywhere in the world. International card payments are processed in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS), and the cardholder's bank handles currency conversion at their prevailing exchange rate. Mobile money and bank payment channels are limited to domestic transactions.

Our pricing is straightforward with no hidden charges. Mobile money transactions (M-Pesa, Mixx, Airtel, Halotel, TTCL) are charged at 1% of the transaction amount. Bank payments (CRDB, NMB) are also 1%. Card payments (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, Amex) are charged at 3%, which is the lowest card processing rate in Tanzania. USSD payments via *146*08# are charged at 1%. There are no setup fees, monthly fees, or minimum transaction requirements.

No. We believe in complete transparency. The transaction percentages listed on our pricing page are the only fees you pay. There are no setup fees, monthly subscription fees, minimum transaction requirements, or termination fees. Disbursement fees vary by destination and volume, and these are clearly communicated before you use the service.

Yes, we offer custom pricing for high-volume merchants. If your business processes a significant number of transactions monthly, please contact our sales team at sales@malipopay.co.tz to discuss tailored pricing that fits your transaction profile and business needs.

Absolutely. Security is at the core of everything we build. We encrypt all data in transit using TLS 1.2 or higher and sensitive data at rest using AES-256 encryption. Our platform undergoes regular security audits and penetration testing. We implement role-based access controls, network segmentation, and intrusion detection systems. For card payments, we comply with PCI DSS requirements. All API communications are authenticated using API keys and secret keys, and webhook deliveries are signed for verification.

We employ multiple layers of fraud prevention, including real-time transaction monitoring with automated rule-based screening, behavioral analytics to detect unusual patterns, velocity checks to identify rapid successive transactions, sanctions screening against international watchlists, and a dedicated compliance team that reviews flagged transactions. Our systems monitor for structuring, unusual geographic patterns, and activity inconsistent with merchant profiles.

Yes. MALIPOPAY is a product of Lockwood Technology Ltd, which operates as a licensed Payment Service Provider under the supervision of the Bank of Tanzania. We comply fully with the National Payment Systems Act, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and all applicable Bank of Tanzania guidelines for payment service providers. Our compliance framework aligns with FATF recommendations and ESAAMLG standards.

Our RESTful API is designed for quick and straightforward integration. After creating your account and obtaining your API credentials from the dashboard, you can start integrating using our comprehensive API documentation. We provide SDKs and code examples in popular programming languages. Most developers complete a basic integration within a few hours. Our developer support team is available to assist with any integration questions.

Yes, webhooks are a core part of our platform. We send real-time webhook notifications for all transaction events, including successful payments, failed transactions, disbursement confirmations, and refund completions. All webhook payloads are signed with your webhook secret key so you can verify their authenticity. You can configure your webhook URL and select which events to receive through the merchant dashboard or via the API.

Yes, we provide a full sandbox environment that mirrors our production platform. You can test all payment channels, simulate successful and failed transactions, and verify your webhook handling before going live. Sandbox API credentials are provided separately from your production credentials and can be found in the developer section of your merchant dashboard.

Our API is language-agnostic since it uses standard REST conventions with JSON payloads. You can integrate from any language or framework that can make HTTP requests. We provide official SDKs and integration examples for popular languages and frameworks. If you need assistance with a specific language or stack, our developer support team is happy to help.

Yes, MALIPOPAY offers built-in integration with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) system. When enabled, fiscal receipts are automatically generated for transactions processed through our platform, ensuring your business stays compliant with TRA requirements without any additional development work on your side.