Updated September 28, 2026 · BorrowCue Editorial Team
Izwe Zambia vs National Building Society
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Izwe Zambia |  National Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Term | 60 monthsHigher | 12 months |
| Funding time | Within 24 hours of approval, paid via EFT | 5 working days |
| Eligibility | Permanently employed Zambian government employees, Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and Zambia National Service (ZNS), plus private sector employees; salary advances require banking with Absa, Atlas Mara, Indo, Natsave or Zanaco | Applicants must have income paid directly into an NBS account, with national ID, proof of residence, proof of income and 3 months' bank statements |
| Loan types | Personal, Payday, Cash advance, Secured, Car, BusinessCovers more | Personal, Secured |
| Loan amount | ZMW 150,000 | Not confirmed |
| Arrangement fee | 0 ZMW | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Fixed | Not confirmed |
| Free early repayment | No | Not confirmed |
| Origination fee (%) | 0% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Lender type (Direct lender), Use cases (Home improvement).
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Key differences
- Izwe Zambia scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.1.
- Term is higher at Izwe Zambia: 60 months vs 12 months.
- Support channels: only Izwe Zambia offers Chat.
- Loan types: only Izwe Zambia offers Payday, Cash advance, Car.
Our verdict on each
Izwe Zambia
Izwe Zambia lends directly in Zambia, with personal loans up to ZMW 150,000 on fixed rates. It suits permanently employed government, Air Force, National Service and private sector staff, and money lands Within 24 hours of approval, paid via EFT.
National Building Society
National Building Society suits borrowers who already bank with the society and want home finance and personal lending in one place. Its 50% maximum loan to value sits below what many rivals offer, so buyers needing a larger mortgage should compare elsewhere before applying.
Score breakdown
| Area | Izwe Zambia | National Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Arrangement fee 0 ZMW and product fee ZMW 0 on personal loans, with fixed pricing fixed. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 8.8Sets 50% for property lending and a 5 to 25 fixed period, plus personal and secured loans. |
| Trust | 9.1 | 9.2Higher |
What each covers
| Loan types | Izwe Zambia | National Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | Yes | Yes |
| Payday | Yes | No |
| Secured | Yes | Yes |
| Car | Yes | No |
| Business | Yes | No |
| Cash advance | Yes | No |
| Use cases | Izwe Zambia | National Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Home improvement | Yes | Yes |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Izwe Zambia | National Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | Not confirmed | |
| Zimbabwe | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Izwe Zambia: 1. Additional countries for National Building Society: 1.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Izwe Zambia | National Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Personal loans | 418 of 1932 | 598 of 1932 |
| Secured loans | 101 of 472 | 165 of 472 |
| Mortgages | 122 of 719 | 202 of 719 |
| Home improvement loans | 164 of 562 | 264 of 562 |
| Equity release | 5 of 32 | 10 of 32 |
A third option
Sofkredit has term at 6 to 240 months, against 60 months for Izwe Zambia and 12 months for National Building Society.
Sofkredit reviewWhat we checked
Izwe Zambia
- izwezambia.com: 17 facts, checked September 26, 2026
National Building Society
- nbs.co.zw: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Izwe Zambia | National Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Fixed rate | Not confirmed |
| Features | Same day funding | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Izwe Loans Zambia PLC | National Building Society Limited |
| Headquarters | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
| Founded | 2008 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, ChatCovers more | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Mortgages
| Fact | Izwe Zambia | National Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed period | 5 years | 5 to 25 yearsHigher |
| Maximum loan to value | Not confirmed | 50% |
| Product fee | ZMW 0 | Not confirmed |
| Purpose | Equity release | Purchase, Equity releaseCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Izwe Zambia | National Building Society | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loan amount | ZMW 150,000above the median | Not confirmed | ZMW 100,000 |
| Term | 60 monthsat the median | 12 monthslowest quarter | 60 months |
| Origination fee (%) | 0%below the median | Not confirmed | 0.25% |
Median across 1005 listed lenders.
Pros and cons
Izwe Zambia
Pros
- Arrangement fee 0 ZMW and product fee ZMW 0 on personal loans, so no upfront charge to weigh
- Direct lender direct lender under the Bank of Zambia, with the legal entity Izwe Loans Zambia PLC
- Funding Within 24 hours of approval, paid via EFT, and same day funding same day funding is listed on personal loans
Cons
- Free early repayment is no, so settling the loan early carries a cost
- Eligibility is narrow: permanently employed government, ZAF and ZNS staff plus private sector employees
- Salary advances need banking with Absa, Atlas Mara, Indo, Natsave or Zanaco
National Building Society
Pros
- Fixed periods of 5 to 25 give borrowers room to plan ahead
- Home improvement is listed as a use case, alongside purchase and equity release
- A direct lender, so applications go straight to the provider rather than a broker
Cons
- The 50% ceiling is low for a home purchase, and a 12 personal loan term is short
- Lending is listed as personal and secured, so debt consolidation and car finance sit outside the range
- Funding takes 5 working days on personal loans, longer than the quickest lenders compared here
Who each suits
Izwe Zambia
Who it suits
- Borrowers after personal, payday, cash advance, secured, car or business lending, personal, payday and cash advance
- People who want the money paid into their bank account by EFT, Within 24 hours of approval, paid via EFT
Who should look elsewhere
- Self-employed or contract workers outside the listed employers
- Anyone planning to repay early, since free early repayment is no
- Borrowers needing loan types outside personal, payday and cash advance
National Building Society
Who it suits
- Borrowers who keep their salary in an account with the society
- Home buyers who value a longer fixed period over a higher loan to value
- Members planning home improvement work
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone borrowing the maximum the market offers, because 50% is capped low
- Applicants with income paid outside the society, since eligibility requires a National Building Society account
- Sofkredit, Creditilia ES and Prestalo followers, whose fixed periods of 0.5 to 20, 5 and 25 sit elsewhere in the market
Country by country
| Country | Izwe Zambia | National Building Society |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | Yes | No |
| Zimbabwe | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Izwe Zambia
What does Izwe Zambia charge in fees?+
On personal loans the arrangement fee is 0 ZMW and the product fee is ZMW 0. Interest is charged on a fixed rate, fixed, so your repayments do not move with the market. Repaying early is not free, so the cost of settling up front is worth checking before you apply.
How much can I borrow and for how long?+
Loans run up to ZMW 150,000, over a term of 60. The range covers personal, payday, cash advance, secured, car and business lending, personal, payday and cash advance. The personal loan pages also list home improvement as a use, home improvement, and landed property borrowing is an equity release product, equity release.
National Building Society
What fixed periods can I choose?+
Fixed periods run 5 to 25, a spread of lengths for a purchase, an equity release or a home improvement plan. The upper end suits a borrower who wants the payment settled for years, while the shorter end keeps the rate commitment modest if plans change.
How much can I borrow against a home?+
The maximum loan to value is 50%, so you would fund a large share of the purchase price yourself. That suits buyers with a solid deposit or equity in an existing property. Anyone stretching further on the deposit would find a higher ceiling elsewhere.
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