Last month, the Insurance Development Forum's Inclusive Insurance Working Group (IIWG) partnered with international organizations, local regulators, and insurance businesses to initiate a groundbreaking project in Kenya. Supported by key entities such as the United Nations Development Programme's Insurance and Risk Financing Facility, the World Bank Group's Global Index Insurance Facility, and the Microinsurance Network, the IIWG's goal is to foster inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable growth in Kenya's insurance sector. The inaugural Kenya Country Workshop, held on September 28 and 29, 2022, brought together a diverse group of industry stakeholders, regulators, insurers, distributors, and development organizations. It served as a dynamic platform for sharing insights, perspectives, and experiences within Kenya's insurance landscape. The collaborative wisdom gathered during this workshop has resulted in a comprehensive Country Roadmap, outlining a strategic framework for inclusive insurance in Kenya.

Kenya, as one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, offers fertile ground for entrepreneurship and technological advancement. Despite its economic growth, the insurance penetration rate remains a concern, with significant room for improvement. The workshop aimed to address this gap and explore avenues for making insurance more accessible and affordable to a wider cross-section of Kenyan citizens. The comprehensive Country Roadmap comprises five key workstreams, each designed to break down barriers to inclusive insurance, foster local capacity, and promote innovative insurance products and schemes. These workstreams encompass technical assistance, smallholder farmers, micro, small, and medium enterprises, regulatory reforms, and insurance education. The workshop attendees also discussed measures to expedite claims processing and payouts, increase the number of people covered by insurance, and enhance the competitiveness of private insurance markets in Kenya. As the journey towards a more inclusive and efficient insurance landscape continues, key next steps include partnering with the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Kenya, fostering collaborations between public and private sectors, embracing technology, and focusing on research and innovation. The inaugural Kenya Country Workshop was a significant milestone, and the collaborative efforts of all involved are propelling Kenya towards a future marked by inclusivity, innovation, and resilience in the insurance sector. Read full blog here.