WHI launches Watumishi Portal

DAR ES SALAAM: WATUMISHI Housing Investment (WHI) has officially launched Employee Self-Service (ESS) Watumishi Portal for public servants to invest in Faida Fund.

By using the ESS portal, public servants will have their contributions automatically deducted from their salaries, streamlining the investment process.

WHI Senior Public Relations and Marketing Officer, Ms Maryjane Makawia, told the Daily News that the system cuts down the time needed to obtain control numbers and make payments.

“We officially launched this month. With ESS, deductions will be automatic for those joining the Faida Fund, making it easier for employees to save without hassle. This provides a safe way to grow their savings,” Ms Makawia said.

She added the system is especially helpful for busy employees with little time to invest or visit farms.

“We aim to create a simpler approach that encourages employees to save for their future goals,” she said.

WHI developed the system in response to employee requests for automatic salary deductions.

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Employees register on ESS and choose how much to deduct monthly for the Faida Fund.

“They can opt for monthly, quarterly or three-monthly deductions,” she explained.

Ms Makawia noted that the Faida Fund is Tanzania’s first to lower the minimum investment to just 10,000/-, enabling small investors including peasants, workers, students, bodaboda riders and retirees—to benefit from competitive returns.

“We reduced the minimum investment to include small investors,” she added.

She further highlighted that the Faida Fund is designed to offer balanced returns by investing in a mix of low- and medium-risk financial instruments, ensuring capital preservation while growing members’ savings steadily over time.

Ms Makawia also urged public servants across all sectors to take advantage of the new platform, emphasising that early investment can lead to long-term financial stability, especially as retirement planning becomes increasingly important.

The ESS Watumishi Portal is part of WHI’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at increasing financial inclusion and investment literacy among Tanzanian workers.

Through this platform, WHI hopes to foster a culture of saving and long-term financial planning among public servants.

Ms Makawia also revealed that WHI plans to roll out awareness campaigns and training sessions across various ministries and public institutions to ensure employees fully understand how to use the portal and take advantage of the Faida Fund’s benefits.