On Day 36 of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative for Tanzania, we interacted with Helen Lukundo Chonjo, the Founder and Team Lead at Macho Technologies Limited.
Macho Technologies Limited is through its flagship solution, Thamani, using technology to digitize the valuation, insurance and resale of motor vehicles.
First implemented in Uganda, 40 Days 40 FinTechs is an annual FinTech Innovation initiative presented by HiPipo to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations who are making significant strides in promoting financial inclusivity through the use of technology.
It is aimed at promoting innovation and collaboration among FinTechs in Africa. The initiative is designed to provide FinTechs and startups with mentorship, training, exposure, and networking opportunities to help them grow and scale their businesses.
Here is the Thamani story as told by Helen Lukundo Chonjo.
HiPipo: Please introduce yourself and your transformative solution.
Helen Lukundo: My name is Helen Lukundo Chonjo, and I am the founder and visionary at Macho Technologies Limited, which is the company that founded the Thamani platform.
So, Thamani is a platform that is here to bridge the gap between those who take up insurance and the protection that they have towards their motor vehicles. What Thamani has done is that we have digitized and automated the motor valuation or appraisal service. What would otherwise take three days to a week is now available immediately anywhere, anytime. You can access your motor valuation through your laptop anywhere and at a reduced cost of over 99 per cent.
HiPipo: How does Thamani work and what markets does it serve?
Helen Lukundo: Thamani is currently available only in Tanzania at the moment. So, you take your motor registration cards or your logbook, and you will get details from the logbook, which you will now select and match with the details that you find on our website. The website is www.thamani.co.tz So, when you go there, you’ll either pick your Toyota, your Land Cruiser, etc and then the year it was manufactured. There will be some pre-populated information that you will select, and after that, you will be required to pay for the service after which you will be able to see the value of your vehicle. If you have any additional cosmetics on your vehicle, you have enhanced it and you think this is substantial, you can add those details there, and it will automatically add that value to the value of your vehicle. After that, you can download your report and use it as you please.
HiPipo: How does this Valuation help the Car Owners?
Helen Lukundo: The first and initial use of this valuation report is for insurance purposes. Then you can also use it if you are buying and selling a vehicle, and when you are negotiating something to do with your vehicle.
HiPipo: How is this solution important? How different is it from what is already on the market?
Helen Lukundo: So, we noticed that out of ten people who are insuring their vehicles, seven are not providing the right value for their vehicles. This leads to penalties when they get a claim thus leading to more financial losses. So, with Thamani, we are making it affordable for motor vehicle owners. As I said, we have cut down the valuation cost from what would be like 70 dollars to one dollar thus making it accessible to everyone. Now, there is no reason why you won’t value your vehicle. You can do it anywhere, and your vehicle will be financially secure. When you get a loss, then you know that you will be paid in full.
HiPipo: How fast is Insurance catching up with Technology?
Helen Lukundo: Insurance is not the best sector when it comes to adapting technology. I think we have been left behind, and compared to other financial technology users like banks, Insurance is still very rigid currently. So as much as most of the insurance companies have found value in our service, they are still taking their time in trying to use it in bulk. So, moving from the early adapter stage to now growth stage has been a bit of a challenge. Even though, we have had some good acceptance, taking action towards total acceptance has been by far our biggest challenge.
Include EveryOne Program.
40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative Tanzania is part of HiPipo’s broader Include EveryOne Program that is generously supported by the Gates Foundation and implemented in partnership with Level One Project, ICTC Tanzania, Ideation Corner, Cyber PLC Academy, INFITX, Crosslake Technologies, NG Films, Founders Academy and Mojaloop Foundation.
The Include EveryOne program is a beacon of acceleration of FinTech Innovation, empowerment for Women in FinTech and a catalyst for investment and development in the ICT sector. Minus 40 Days 40 FinTechs, other initiatives under the Include EveryOne Program are the FinTech Landscape Exhibition, Women in FinTech Hackathon, Summit and Incubator, Digital Impact Awards Africa and the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit.
HiPipo is recognized as a premier advocate of digital Innovation and financial inclusion champion, a fervent proponent of the #LevelOneProject. HiPipo has been at the forefront, actively promoting digital innovation, Instant, Inclusive Payment Systems (IIPS), and DFS across Africa. With a legacy of advising, mobilizing, and facilitating the adoption of inclusive financial services, HiPipo’s efforts have been nothing short of transformative! For almost two decades, HiPipo has successfully facilitated the inclusive adoption of these crucial services.