Patumba Fund assets rise to K430 million

Zambia’s digital savings and investment platform, Patumba, has recorded significant growth in assets under management, rising from K320 million at the end of 2025 to K430 million by the end of June 2026.

Patumba, which was created by Hobbiton Investment Management Limited, says the growth reflects increased participation in savings and investment among Zambians.

The platform currently has about 1.6 million active customers, with management targeting two million by December.

Speaking during the Hobbiton Investment Management Annual General Meeting, Board Chairperson Elias Chipimo said Patumba had made significant progress since its launch.

Mr Chipimo said the fund started with about 186,000 unit holders, whose contributions amounted to approximately K1.7 million in its first year.

“I don't know if you realize what magic you have helped to create in what you do in contributing your savings towards initiatives that make this country better,” Mr Chipimo said.

He said the growth of the fund demonstrated the importance of savings and investment to economic development.

“It's not possible to grow an economy without savings. It's not possible to build resilience without investment into the future. And that's what each of you are doing,” he said.

Mr Chipimo urged unit holders to continue promoting Patumba and encouraging more people to embrace investment.

“In spite of all the incredible success that has been achieved so far, in my mind, this is just the beginning. There's so much more that we will be able to achieve together,” he said.

He further encouraged investors to bring more people into the platform, including younger generations.

“We want you to continue to be ambassadors for the growth of this initiative,” Mr Chipimo said.

Meanwhile, Patumba Fund Trustee Friday Nyambe has urged Zambians to embrace collective investment schemes as a way of building long-term wealth.

Mr Nyambe said the trustee has a fiduciary and legal responsibility to safeguard investors’ interests.

“The trustee is given the responsibility to take care of your investments. There's a fiduciary responsibility that is being carried out on your behalf,” he said.

He said investors’ assets were held under the protection of an independent trustee and custodian.

“The assets which you have invested become the legal assets of the trustee on your behalf,” Mr Nyambe said.

Mr Nyambe also encouraged Zambians to avoid keeping excess cash idle and instead consider investing it.

“Wealth is in investment. You put it there in an investment and it keeps on growing and growing,” he said.

He said increased participation in the capital market would also contribute to national development.

“Money in the capital market is good for the country for development,” Mr Nyambe said.

And Hobbiton Investment Management Managing Director Chileshe Mulenga said the company was using partnerships with mobile money operators to expand access to investment services.

“This is achieved through our partnerships with all of Zambia's mobile money network operators, which gives us a countrywide distribution network,” Mr Mulenga said.

He said financial inclusion remained central to the company’s operations.

“A consistent drive to put away a little something and strong saving habits can lead to wealth building,” he said.

Mr Mulenga said Patumba was helping investors save towards various financial objectives, including education, business expansion and personal development.

“Patumba is here for the people, and as we continue, we look forward to continuing to drive market inclusion and also expanding the offers to drive asset growth, economic resilience, shared prosperity and ultimately the empowerment of our investors,” he said.

Mr Mulenga said the company was targeting two million customers by December.

“1.6 million customers with a goal of 2 million by December is a simple starting point of greater things to come,” he said.

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