Eligibility
Who can apply for Dottra.
Dottra is currently for two groups: people in salaried employment, and government-sponsored students at supported universities in Zambia.
Everyone needs
- To be 18 or older.
- A valid Zambian NRC.
- An MTN, Airtel or Zamtel mobile money wallet registered in your own name.
- An Android phone, to use the app and take document photos.
- To pass identity verification: photos of your NRC and a selfie.
Salaried employees
You need to be in salaried employment, in the public or private sector, and able to upload a recent payslip.
In the app you'll add your employer, job title, type of employment, net pay and pay day. We use these, with the payslip, for an affordability review.
As a guide, salaried limits go up to K3,000. Your limit may be lower.
Government-sponsored students
You need to be a government-sponsored student at one of these universities:
- Chalimbana University
- Copperbelt University
- Kapasa Makasa University
- Kwame Nkrumah University
- Levy Mwanawasa Medical University
- Mukuba University
- Mulungushi University
- University of Zambia
In the app you'll add your student number and expected graduation year, and upload your student ID and sponsorship document.
As a guide, student limits go up to K400. Your limit may be lower.
How decisions are made
Once your documents are approved, we review affordability and set a credit limit. Meeting the requirements above doesn't guarantee a limit, and limits vary between people. Your limit can be reviewed over time.
Every draw is also checked against your available credit and account status at the time, so having a limit doesn't mean every draw will go through.
Common questions
Can I apply if I am self-employed or run a business?
Not yet. Dottra currently serves salaried employees with a payslip and government-sponsored students at supported universities.
Can students without government sponsorship apply?
Not at the moment. The student route is for government-sponsored students at the supported universities listed on this page.
Does the mobile money number have to be in my name?
Yes. Draws are only sent to a mobile money wallet registered in the same name as your Dottra account and NRC.
Why was my application declined, or my limit lower than I expected?
Limits depend on verified income or sponsorship and an affordability review. We do not set a limit for everyone who applies, and we cannot share the details of how individual decisions are made. You can contact support if you think something was verified incorrectly.
