MTN Group and Sanlam are joining forces to offer insurance products to the telecommunications operator’s hefty subscriber base on the continent, where relatively few have cover.
MTN, which is Africa’s largest mobile operator with 277 million voice subscribers, will leverage Sanlam’s licence, geographical reach and expertise, while the insurer will be able to expand further outside its home market, South Africa, by selling its products to MTN’s vast customer base, they said in a joint statement. The companies will sell insurance, investment and savings offerings.
“What we’re trying to do is really drive much deeper financial inclusion across our markets and meet as many financial needs of our customers,” MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita said.
He said the partnership with Sanlam could boost its insurance offering from 6.2 million policyholders to 30 million by 2025.
Access to even basic traditional banking services across Africa is limited, with little infrastructure and a strong preference for cash. Mobile money services like MTN’s, which enable people to access financial products from their phones, have had far greater success. MTN has 48.9 million active users of its mobile money service every month.
Low penetration
While around 46% of the continent’s population has access to cellphone services, insurance penetration is less than 5% in most markets outside of South Africa, the companies said.
Sanlam, South Africa’s largest insurer, is looking to expand outside of the country, where a lacklustre economy, high unemployment and stretched consumer finances have hampered growth. It has already partnered with MTN to offer insurance products in South Africa, also MTN’s home market.
Ghana
In Ghana, MTN sells insurance via its subsidiary, Ayo Ghana, which is a leader in the mobile insurance space.
It is not clear whether the Sanlam deal will be rolled out in Ghana and if so, whether it will be done through Ayo Insurance or it will compete with Ayo.
