Onboarding your group
The chairperson sets up the group in a few minutes. Members join with one tap. Want to see it first? Try the live demo.
Sign in
Go to echama.org and enter your phone number. You'll get a 6-digit code on WhatsApp — enter it to sign in. No password needed.
Set up your profile
Enter your full name. This is how members will see you in the group. You can also add your National ID — it's used only for KRA statements.
Create the chama
From your dashboard, tap "New chama". Fill in the group name, choose the type (merry-go-round, welfare, investment, table banking, or mixed), then set your rules: contribution amount, how often members pay, joining fee, late penalty, and loan interest. You can change all of this later in Settings.
Invite your officials first
Go to Members → Invite. Send the invite link to your treasurer and secretary on WhatsApp. Once they join, assign them their roles from the Members page. Officials get extra tools: approving loans, recording payments, and exporting reports.
Invite the rest of your members
Share the same invite link in your WhatsApp group. Each member taps it, signs in with their phone number, and lands straight in your chama — no manual adding needed.
Tap the invite link
The chairperson or treasurer will send you a link on WhatsApp. Tap it — it opens eChama in your browser.
Sign in with your phone number
Enter your number and type the 6-digit code sent to your WhatsApp. You're in.
Add your name
Enter your full name so your officials and fellow members can identify you. Done — you're now part of the chama.
Your group gets its own address
When you create the chama, it gets a link like echama.org/c/your-group. Share this with members at any time — they sign in and land straight in your group.
Bringing in existing records?
If your group already has contribution history, the treasurer can import it from a CSV file — so you don't start from zero. Go to Contributions → Import after the group is set up.
Need help?
Email us at [email protected] or read the full getting-started guide.