UTT AMIS Unit Trusts Tanzania: Umoja Fund and How to Invest

UTT Asset Management and Investor Services (UTT AMIS) is a government-owned fund manager that runs some of Tanzania's most popular collective investment schemes. A unit trust pools money from many investors and invests it in government securities, bonds, shares and deposits, managed by professionals. UTT AMIS unit trusts let ordinary Tanzanians invest small amounts and grow their savings over time. This guide explains the UTT AMIS funds, recent Umoja Fund returns, how to invest and what to check before you start.

How a unit trust works

When you invest, you buy units in a fund at the current unit price. The fund manager invests the combined money according to the fund's goals. As the investments earn interest and dividends, or rise in value, the unit price rises; if they fall, the price falls. When you want your money back, you sell units at the price on that day. This structure lets you own a share of a large, diversified portfolio that you could not build on your own.

The UTT AMIS funds

UTT AMIS offers six funds: Umoja, Wekeza Maisha, Watoto, Jikimu, the Liquid Fund and the Bond Fund. They have different aims. The Liquid Fund is meant for money you may need soon and invests in short-term, low-risk assets. The Bond Fund focuses on fixed income such as government bonds. Funds such as Watoto are built for long-term goals like a child's education, while Umoja, the oldest fund, is a balanced fund holding a mix of assets for long-term growth. Jikimu is designed for investors who want regular income, and Wekeza Maisha combines investment with insurance cover.

Umoja Fund returns

UTT AMIS reports these returns for the Umoja Fund, net of tax, for years ending in June: 11.2% in 2022/23, 12.1% in 2023/24 and 13.3% in 2024/25. Those returns were well above inflation, which helped investors grow their real wealth. Past returns are not a promise, however: unit prices can go down as well as up, especially in funds that hold shares.

How to invest in UTT AMIS unit trusts

1. Open an account. Dial *150*82# or download the UTTAMIS app to begin opening an account. You will need your national ID and contact details.

2. Submit the application form. Complete the application form at a UTT AMIS office or send it by email, together with copies of your identification.

3. Buy units. Pay through banks or mobile money to buy units. The minimum for the Umoja Fund is the value of 10 units, which keeps the entry cost low. You can add to your investment at any time.

4. Track and sell. Monitor your balance through the app or statements, and sell units when you need the money. Each fund's rules state how long a withdrawal takes.

Before you invest in a unit trust

Read the fact sheet. Each fund's fact sheet lists its fees, what it invests in, its risk level and how long withdrawals take. Fees reduce your return, so compare them.

Match the fund to your goal. Use liquid funds for short-term savings and emergency money, and balanced or equity funds only for money you can leave for several years, so that you are not forced to sell when prices are low.

Compare alternatives. Treasury bills yielded 6.29% for 364 days in September 2026, against inflation of 4.3%, and they require a minimum of TZS 500,000. Unit trusts start smaller and give easier access, but their returns are not fixed.

Unit trusts and other savings in Tanzania

Many Tanzanians combine a unit trust with group savings such as VICOBA and with mobile money for daily spending; see our guides to VICOBA savings groups and saving safely with mobile money. Our savings calculator shows how monthly contributions to a fund could grow.

Frequently asked questions

Is UTT AMIS regulated?

Yes. UTT AMIS is a government-owned fund manager, and collective investment schemes in Tanzania are supervised by the Capital Markets and Securities Authority.

What is the minimum investment in the Umoja Fund?

The value of 10 units at the current unit price.

Can I lose money in a unit trust?

Yes. Unit prices can fall, particularly in funds that hold shares, so match the fund to how long you can invest.

UTT AMIS unit trusts in Tanzania: Umoja, Liquid Fund and how to invest