In this article, you will learn about the differences between Mali and Ziidi Money Market Fund. Safaricom, Kenya's leading telecommunications company, has ventured into the financial services sector with two distinct money market fund (MMF) products: Mali and Ziidi.

While both aim to provide M-Pesa users with accessible investment opportunities, they differ in several key aspects.

Mali Money Market Fund

Launched in 2019 in partnership with Genghis Capital, Mali allows M-Pesa users to invest as little as KES 100 and earn competitive returns.

The fund has grown significantly, with assets under management reaching approximately KES 3 billion by September 2024.

However, Mali has been embroiled in ownership disputes between Safaricom and Genghis Capital, leading to uncertainties about its future and limiting its availability to new investors.

Ziidi Money Market Fund

In response to the challenges faced by Mali, Safaricom introduced the Ziidi MMF in collaboration with Standard Investment Bank, ALA Capital Limited, and Sanlam Investments East Africa Limited.

Ziidi offers similar features, allowing M-Pesa customers to invest from as low as KES 100 and earn daily interest.

Notably, Ziidi provides users with visibility of daily interest earned and permits free deposits and withdrawals directly through M-Pesa, enhancing flexibility and user experience.

In summary, while both Mali and Ziidi are designed to integrate seamlessly with M-Pesa and promote financial inclusion, Ziidi emerges as a more refined product, addressing the challenges encountered with Mali and offering enhanced features for investors.

On your phone, you can dial *334# and select option 5, which is financial services, and see Ziidi or Mali as money market funds and try to opt in (sign in). Most likely Ziidi MMF will accept and Mali does not accept new investors.

Both platforms are not currently available on the M-Pesa app. Here's the situation:

1. Mali Money Market Fund:

   • It was initially integrated into the M-Pesa app when it launched, but due to the ongoing ownership disputes and other operational issues, Mali is no longer accessible to new investors and has been phased out for most users.
   • Existing investors may still manage their funds through the app or other provided channels, but it is not open for new subscriptions.

2. Ziidi Money Market Fund:

   • Yes, Ziidi is available on the M-Pesa app. Safaricom has streamlined its integration into the app for easy access to investment options.
   • Users can deposit, track their daily earnings, and withdraw funds directly within the app under the "Wealth" or "Financial Services" sections.

If you're using the M-Pesa app and can't see either option, make sure the app is updated to the latest version, as Safaricom often introduces new features in phased updates.

For individuals who do not have a smartphone and cannot use the M-Pesa app, both Mali and Ziidi can still be accessed through USSD or other alternative methods. Here's how:

Accessing Mali Money Market Fund (if still operational for existing users):

1. USSD Access:
   Dial *334#, to go to the Financial Services (Option #5) and check the next prompt where it lists Ziidi as number 1 and Mali as number 7, , and follow the prompts to manage your Mali account.
   Note: As of now, Mali is unavailable for new investors, so this applies only to those already enrolled.

2. Safaricom Customer Care:
   Existing users can reach out to Safaricom customer care by dialing 100 (for pre-paid users) or 200 (for post-paid users) for assistance managing their funds.

Accessing Ziidi Money Market Fund:

1. USSD Access:
   Dial *334#, go to the Financial Services (Option #5) and check the next prompt where it lists Ziidi as number 1 and Mali as number 7, and select Ziidi. From there, you can:

   • Deposit funds.
   • Check your account balance and daily earnings.
   • Withdraw funds.

2. Partner Support:
   If you have challenges accessing Ziidi via USSD, contact the partner financial institution (such as NCBA) for direct support or additional options.

Key Notes for Non-Smartphone Users:

• Phone Requirements: You only need a basic feature phone that supports USSD for transactions.
• M-Pesa Wallet Integration: Both services are integrated with your M-Pesa wallet, so no additional account or app is required.
• Accessibility for All: These platforms are designed to be inclusive, ensuring even non-smartphone users can participate in investments.