DDFinance Hosts Lenders Roundtable on Digital Microinsurance in Kenya

Today, DDFinance Kenya successfully organized a lenders roundtable titled “Digital Microinsurance,” gathering microfinance institutions (MFIs) from across Kenya under one roof. The event focused on harnessing digital solutions to revolutionize the microinsurance landscape, particularly for low-income populations.

DataDrivenFinance Kenya Limited (DDFinance) and Association of Microfinance Institutions-Kenya (AMFI-K) signatories celebrate the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony where they committed to jointly scale microinsurance to Microfinance Institutions using digital technology IPaaS provided by DDFinance. 

DDFinance Kenya and AMFI-K signed a Memorandum of Understanding to scale microinsurance for MFIs using DDFinance’s IPaaS technology

The roundtable was graced by esteemed guests, including officials from the Association of Microfinance Institutions of Kenya (AMFI-K) and His Excellency Gunnar Holm, the Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya. Key speakers from DDFinance included CEO Jan Martin Hunderi, Principal Officer Joyce Kabura, Head of Financial Inclusion Mercy Njagi, and Head of Products Grace Wambui, all of whom addressed critical topics and challenges facing the microinsurance sector.

Jan Martin Hunderi, Founder , DDFinance addressing MFIs, Investors and the Norwegian commercial arm on scaling micro insurance using digital technology, IPaaS.

Key Insights and Discussions

The discussions centered around DDFinance’s Microinsurance Strategy, emphasizing the risk profile and challenges within the sector, such as:

  • High acquisition costs for low-income clients
  • Complexity and lack of understanding of insurance products
  • Strategic partnerships and regulatory challenges
  • Operational constraints and the need for tailored products
Caritas Management Team listening in keenly and contributing to the ongoings during the Round Table Breakfast event hosted by DDFinance on scaling microinsurance through MFIs.

Jan Martin Hunderi, CEO of DDFinance, outlined how their Insurance Platform as a Service (IPaaS) solution can address these barriers. He highlighted that digital microinsurance services have the potential to directly impact households, especially in reducing the Insurance Protection Gap (IPG) — the gap between optimal and actual insurance coverage.

Jan Martin Hunderi, Founder – DDFinance, addressing the MFI audience on the importance of embracing digital solutions to scale microinsurance.

Scaling Microinsurance Through Digital Innovation

One of the core themes of the event was the role of networked technology in scaling microinsurance services. The IPaaS platform, already integrated into various financial systems, enables seamless data collection and standardization, making it easier for MFIs to offer microinsurance. This approach allows for large volumes of data to support advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI, driving more efficient operations and better customer service.

Joyce Kabura, Principal Officer of DDFinance, addressed key challenges in expanding microinsurance in Kenya, including high acquisition costs, complexity in understanding insurance, and the need for strategic partnerships. She emphasized the operational and regulatory obstacles that limit access to tailored products for low-income households. Kabura highlighted the vital role microinsurance plays in addressing gaps left by the disengagement of government welfare services, aiming to reduce the Insurance Protection Gap (IPG) and foster real progress for underserved communities. Her presentation reinforced the importance of microinsurance in improving financial security for vulnerable populations.

Joyce Kabura Njenga – Principal Officer DDFinance, capturing the audience with commercial simulations on how MFIs can scale their business and profits using micro insurance.

Mercy Njagi, Head of Financial Inclusion, spoke on how embedding insurance within credit products builds trust and scales claims payouts in practice. By providing financial protection, digital microinsurance empowers vulnerable populations to mitigate risks like hospitalization or death, enabling real progress out of poverty.

Mercy Njagi – Head of Financial Inclusion at DDFinance, demonstrates best practices on treating the Customer fairly and illuminating the message on digital microinsurance – impact and key considerations for MFIs.

 

Grace Wambui, Head of Product, stressed the importance of innovation in risk management, noting that IPaaS technology not only enhances product delivery but also ensures timely claims handling, which is vital for maintaining customer trust and satisfaction.

The Future of Microinsurance in Kenya

The roundtable concluded with a call to action to all MFIs in Kenya to collaborate with DDFinance and AMFI-K in scaling digital microinsurance distribution. The ambition is to position Kenya as a leader in expanding microinsurance coverage, both locally and internationally.

Participants left with a shared commitment to drive sustainable financial inclusion and improve the financial resilience of households through innovative, affordable insurance products.

Cheruiyot from Caritas reiterating the need for MFIs to embrace Micro Insurance to increase their revenues and maintain customer retention.

Reflection
As noted during the event, today could be seen as a pivotal change point for the microinsurance sector in Kenya. In the coming years, we may look back on this day as the moment when digital microinsurance began to scale across the region, providing critical safety nets for vulnerable populations and transforming the financial landscape.