In recent decade, an increasingly number of insurtech solution firms, mobile network operators and other innovators are brought into the insurance industry to harness power of new data and technology to catalyze innovation to reduce costs and increase client value. As one of the key pillars of the GIIF Program, innovation is central to realize the full potential of GIIF in closing the last mile protection gap with the aim to increase livelihoods of farmers and low-income families through improved access to knowledge, institutions (financial services and inputs, etc.) and markets. In July 2019...

In the previous part , we brought to your attention rural women’s needs to access to insurance, and related research to better understand the importance of gender-responsive insurance products to mitigate women’s financial and health risks. In this Part II, we’ll provide detailed information on emerging trends on this topic. Digital financial services A 2019 study by CTA and Dalberg Advisors found nearly 400 different digital agriculture solutions working across the continent reaching 33 million registered farmers, demonstrating the market potential. There is no doubt that COVID-19 has...

The livestock sector supports livelihoods of some 60% of rural households made up of 1.7 billion people worldwide. Currently, the World Bank has US$1.9 billion in active investments in improving livestock sector and enhancing pastoral livelihoods mostly in Africa, South Asia and Central Asia. The Sahel region of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly, has a strong tradition of animal rearing. Livestock sector contributes to one-third to half of agriculture GDP in many Sahelian countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger as well as Mauritania and Chad. Despite pastoralism being a major economic...