Africa Re, the leading reinsurance company in Africa, announced that it has signed an agreement with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group to help insurance companies in Nigeria develop innovative agricultural insurance products for small holder farmers.
The scheme which was launched by the Nigerian Commissioner for Insurance Mr. Muhammed Kari on this day 26 March, 2019 at the Headquarters of Africa Re in Lagos, had in attendance many CEOs and executives of the Nigerian insurance industry as well as representatives of IFC.
Under this agreement, Africa Re will work with IFC’s Global Index Insurance Facility to provide technical support to insurance companies who are licensed to underwrite index insurance products, helping them develop their agricultural insurance business line. Index-based agricultural insurance, which pays out on the basis of transparent parameters like rainfall and does not require costly field visits to verify losses, provides an innovative and more efficient solution for small holder farmers to protect their crops against losses. This initiative will also engender financial inclusion of the small holder farmers.
Mr. Mohammed Kari, while launching the scheme, commended IFC and Africa Re and promised that, as a regulatory body, the Nigerian Insurance Commission (NAICOM) will do everything possible to ensure the success of the scheme and even exceed expectations.
Mr. Ken Aghoghovbia, Deputy Managing Director/Chief Operating Officer of Africa Re, speaking at the launching of the scheme said : “We are excited to be partnering with IFC in assisting Nigerian insurers develop appropriate insurance products to protect small holder farmers. This initiative would certainly go a long way in moving Nigeria towards its goal of food security and is in line with the Corporation’s mission to support African economic development.”
Eme Essien, IFC Country Manager for Nigeria said: “60 percent of Nigerians rely on agriculture for their livelihood. Affordable and accessible risk management tools like index insurance are needed to help farmers mitigate the effects of climate-related shocks, protecting them against catastrophic losses and unlocking access to finance.”
The technical support provided to insurance companies in Nigeria will include specialized product design and developing digital platforms that will enable a prospective policyholder to view index insurance products on offer, compare different products from various insurers, review the term sheet and documentation, and select their preferred policy. The aim of this agreement is to provide thousands of farmers with access to insurance by the end of 2020.
