Turaco Partners with M-KOPA to Boost Insurance Access in Kenya

STARTUP VENTURE CAPITALMarch 18, 2025 at 1:34 PM UTC

TLDR

Kenyan insurtech company Turaco is taking a major step in expanding insurance access with a partnership with M-KOPA
Turaco, which has spent six years disrupting Kenya’s underpenetrated insurance market, is now embedding microinsurance directly into M-KOPA’s smartphones
This partnership could serve as a model for increasing insurance penetration in Kenya, where only 3.1% of the population is covered

Kenyan insurtech company Turaco is taking a major step in expanding insurance access with a partnership with M-KOPA, a pay-as-you-go financing startup. Turaco, which has spent six years disrupting Kenya’s underpenetrated insurance market, is now embedding microinsurance directly into M-KOPA’s smartphones, marking its most significant move yet in reaching underserved communities.

As of Tuesday, Turaco reported that its embedded insurance offering, available through M-KOPA’s locally assembled smartphones, has provided coverage to over one million customers in Kenya. This follows M-KOPA’s sale of more than 1.5 million smartphones, which accounted for 20% of all new devices sold in Kenya in 2024, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).

This partnership could serve as a model for increasing insurance penetration in Kenya, where only 3.1% of the population is covered outside of the Social Health Insurance Fund. With this innovative approach, Turaco, M-Tek, and Pula Advisors are leading the charge to embed insurance in everyday financial tools, driving accessibility for millions of underserved individuals in Kenya.

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Key Takeaways

The partnership between Turaco and M-KOPA showcases how embedding microinsurance into essential products like smartphones can address Kenya’s low insurance penetration. By removing traditional barriers such as high premiums and complex sign-ups, this model is proving effective in reaching Kenya’s underserved population. For M-KOPA, this is a win-win, adding insurance to its existing offerings while expanding its reach into new financial services. The model has already demonstrated success, with 75% of customers previously uninsured, and it could potentially revolutionize access to insurance in Kenya. The initiative not only provides health coverage but also strengthens financial security for low-income households, demonstrating the power of tech-driven solutions in tackling financial inclusion challenges in Africa.

Startups

Insurance

Insurtech

Kenya

Turaco

M-KOPA