Britam and Habitat for Humanity expand partnership to strengthen property insurance penetration rate in Kenya.
NAIROBI (April, 2024) - Britam General Insurance and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) – Terwilliger Centre for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to tackle the low market penetration of property insurance, which currently stands at 0.5%. It is estimated that one third of Kenyans are at heightened risk of property loss.
Ahead of this MoU, Britam, with technical support and financial backing from the International Labor Organization (ILO), Swiss Capacity Building Facility (SCBF) and Habitat for Humanity - Terwilliger Centre for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS), initiated the project to develop innovative property microinsurance product(s) for Low-Mid income households.
The project has so far successfully secured the properties of 69,000 low-income Kenyans against loss during the pilot phase, marking a significant milestone in addressing the pressing need for affordable insurance solutions. This was made possible through bundling of fire-cash microinsurance products, partnership with aggregators and focus on Content Insurance. Britam Group Managing Director and CEO, Tom Gitogo, observed that the MoU underscores Britam’s commitment to deepen insurance penetration in all its markets through education and innovation.
“A significant proportion of our population are at an enhanced risk of property loss due to flooding, fire and other disasters, and this project will help them to bounce back faster,” said Gitogo.
Britam General Insurance Chief Executive and Principal Officer, Mr. Jackson Theuri, said affordability was a critical factor in access to insurance by low-income households and emphasized the importance of innovation in plugging this gap. “This project, which seeks to address the low market penetration of property insurance, is a result of months of innovative work and collaboration between Britam, ILO and Habitat for Humanity - Terwilliger Centre for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) and the impact is already being felt through the 69,000 low-income households who are already covered,” said Theuri.
Building on these successes, the next phase of this partnership will see Habitat for Humanity International - Terwilliger Centre for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS), support a project based at Britam dedicated to scale the property microinsurance but also expanding flood insurance coverage. The two-year project aims to safeguard vulnerable communities against the property risks associated with floods. This will include identifying high-risk areas, collaborating with local communities, and developing tailored insurance solutions as well as actively contributing to the creation and scaling of innovative property microinsurance products.
“Adequate housing is a foundational element for families and communities to thrive, yet low-income households have lacked access to the financial solutions to protect that asset, particularly from detrimental effects of climate change. Through our partnership with Britam, we are dedicated to creating commercially sustainable solutions that prioritize the needs of low-income families, safeguarding their financial health against the impacts of climate-related property risks to lower economic setbacks,” said Naeem Razwani, Senior Director Global Financial Inclusion and Capital Markets Habitat for Humanity International.
These products will be designed to seamlessly integrate into value chain ecosystems, collaborating with entities such as internet service providers, electronic goods sellers, and other potential partners. The goal is to offer comprehensive insurance solutions that align with the needs of these ecosystems. To ensure sustainability, Britam guarantees to continue scaling the solutions beyond the contract period, underscoring the shared commitment to long-term impact.
Last year Britam, in partnership with Oxfam in Kenya and global reinsurer Swiss Re, launched an Index-Based Flood Insurance solution in Kenya to cushion small-scale farmers living along the banks of Tana River in the Tana River County from the adverse effects of catastrophic floods. The solution was developed using data modelling and satellite imagery to predetermine flood thresholds and provide coverage at an affordable cost.
About Britam
Britam is a leading diversified financial services group, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The group has interests across the Eastern and Southern Africa region, with operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique and Malawi. The group offers a wide range of financial products and services in Insurance, Asset management, Banking and Property. For more information, please visit http://www.britam.com
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort and has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit housing organization working in more than 70 countries. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org
About Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter
The Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, a Habitat for Humanity International unit, works with housing market systems by supporting local firms and expanding innovative and client-responsive services, products and financing so that households can improve their shelter more effectively and efficiently. The ultimate goal of the Terwilliger Center’s market systems program is to make housing markets work more effectively for people needing decent, affordable shelter, thereby improving the quality of life for low-income households. To learn more, visit habitat.org/tcis.
For BRITAM
Diane Korir |Director Customer Experience, Brand and Marketing | [email protected]
For Habitat for Humanity International
Caroline Nyamamu | Communications Director, Africa | [email protected]