PRESS RELEASE – ICII 2026 in Kigali: inclusive insurance is expanding, now it must deliver
PRESS RELEASE – ICII 2026 in Kigali: inclusive insurance is expanding, now it must deliver
Kigali, Rwanda, 27 October: The International Conference on Inclusive Insurance 2026 (ICII 2026) wrapped up last week in Kigali after four days of discussion on expanding insurance protection for underserved populations. Hosted by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR), the Rwanda Insurers Association (ASSAR) and the Rwanda Insurance Brokers Organization (RIBO), in cooperation with Munich Re Foundation and the Microinsurance Network, the conference brought together around 600 participants from 58 countries.
Early in the programme, the Microinsurance Network presented preliminary findings from its 2026 Landscape of Microinsurance, setting the scene for discussions throughout the week. Drawing on data from 1,181 products across 45 countries, the findings show that inclusive insurance now covers 309 million people, with strong growth among the products that reported in both 2024 and 2026: the number of people they cover rose from 47 million to 82 million, while their premiums doubled. Nevertheless, fewer than 1 in 10 people in the target market for inclusive insurance are covered.
Explore the preliminary findings through the Landscape of Microinsurance Data Hub. The final 2026 Landscape of Microinsurance results are expected in early 2027.
Key themes from Kigali
Opening the conference, Soraya Hakuziyaremye, Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, reminded participants that “access to finance without risk protection remains incomplete inclusion.” Across the sessions that followed, five themes stood out.
Delivering real value. Speakers agreed that the value of insurance lies in claims paid quickly and fairly, which builds trust, renewals and growth. Insurance leaders argued that inclusive insurance can be profitable when customer value and commercial sustainability go hand in hand. The Landscape shows the scale of the challenge: among the 442 products reporting both costs and claims, 55% spend more on acquisition and administration than they pay out in claims.
Designing with customers, not for them. From motorcycle riders and farmers in Rwanda to women informal workers facing extreme heat in India, sessions showed how products co-designed with the people they serve build trust and stay relevant. Trusted local channels, such as savings groups and women agents, and financial education were seen as essential to help people understand and use insurance.
Closing the gender gap. Women remain under-represented among insurance policyholders, and speakers warned that a push towards digital channels can widen the gap where fewer women own phones. Better data is also needed: while 49% of people covered are women, the Landscape found gender data for only 40% of products.
Building ecosystems for scale. Public–private partnerships, subsidies and reinsurance were seen as key to scaling agricultural insurance. Rwanda offered its own examples. Community-based health insurance, which began as pilots in three districts 25 years ago, now covers 90% of the population, and 27% of adults now have traditional insurance, up from 17% in 2020. During the conference, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the National Bank of Rwanda and the African reinsurer ZEP-RE also launched Inclusive, Climate-Responsive Insurance Solutions (ICRIS), bringing climate-responsive insurance to more than 4 million Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) members.
Insurance as one part of resilience. Sessions on climate and disaster risk stressed starting with the problem rather than the product, and embedding insurance in country-led systems alongside risk reduction and disaster risk financing. Discussions on risk layering showed how microfinance institutions are combining savings, household insurance and portfolio-level cover, so that payouts after a disaster fund recovery lending and help clients get back on their feet.
The conversation now moves to Asia. During the closing ceremony, Lorenzo Chan, CEO of Pioneer Inc., invited participants to Manila, Philippines, for ICII 2027, taking place from 25–29 October 2027, to build on the lessons shared in Kigali.
Honorable Mutesi Rusagara, Minister of State of Resource Mobilisation and Public Investment
Closing the inclusive insurance gap will come through partnership. When government, the insurance industry and development partners pull in the same direction, we protect livelihoods, strengthen resilience and secure our development gains.
Dirk Reinhard, Chair of the Steering Committee of the ICII 2026 and Vice Chair of the Munich Re Foundation
The real measure of ICII 2026 will not be the number of sessions we attended, but what changed because we were here. Let us carry the spirit of Kigali forward: open, collaborative, ambitious and grounded in action.
Matthew Genazzini, Executive Director, Microinsurance Network
My three takeaways from this conference are client centricity, client centricity and client centricity. The most successful examples we’ve heard last week all put the client at the heart of every decision, and that is how we will close the protection gap together.
Lorenzo Chan, CEO, Pioneer Inc., Member of the Organizing Committee of the ICII 2027
How ironic, yet fitting, that a country known for typhoons and earthquakes is also recognized for using insurance as an effective risk-management tool. The Philippines thus makes ICII history as the first country to host the conference twice in its 23-year history. See you in Manila for ICII 2027!
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Munich Re Foundation
The Munich Re Foundation was set up as a non-profit organisation in 2005. At the heart of our Foundation is Munich Re’s commitment to act responsibly and share knowledge. Based in Munich, our activities span the globe, primarily in emerging and developing countries. We tackle pressing global challenges and develop solutions for people at risk. At the core of our Foundation lies a responsibility to enhance the well-being of communities through a deep understanding and adept management of risks. It’s not just about mitigating threats – it’s also about utilising the wealth of knowledge within Munich Re for the benefit of society. We concentrate on climate risk and adaptation, climate change mitigation and inclusive insurance which complements Munich Re’s sustainability agenda.
Microinsurance Network
The Microinsurance Network is the global multi-stakeholder platform for professionals and organisations that are committed to making insurance inclusive. Membership-based, we bring together diverse stakeholders from across the value chain who share our vision of a world where people of all income levels are more resilient and less vulnerable to daily and catastrophic risks. We encourage peer-to-peer exchange and learning, facilitate the generation of knowledge and research, and act as advocates, promoting the role that effective risk management tools, including insurance, play in supporting the broader development agenda.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN)
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) leads Rwanda’s economic planning, public finance management and resource mobilisation. Its mission is “to raise sustainable growth, economic opportunities, and living standards of all Rwandans,” including by building a stable, inclusive financial sector. Learn more at www.minecofin.gov.rw.
National Bank of Rwanda (NBR)
Established in 1964, the National Bank of Rwanda is Rwanda’s central bank. NBR mandated to ensure price stability and a sound financial system, contributing to sustainable and Inclusive growth, while also leading efforts in financial inclusion, consumer protection, and sustainable finance. Learn more at https://www.bnr.rw.
Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR)
Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) is a Rwandan not-for-profit Company that promotes financial inclusion and sector development with a focus on the unserved and underserved segments of the population including young people, women, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Persons with Disabilities, refugees and the informal sector. Visit https://afr.rw for more information.
Rwanda Insurers Association (ASSAR)
The Rwanda Insurers Association is an independent non-profit making consultative and advisory body for the insurance industry. ASSAR is responsible for promoting cooperation among its members, protecting and prompting the members’ common interests, raising awareness about insurance, driving sector wide initiatives in the area of Innovation, Market Development, advocacy and capacity building.
Rwanda Insurance Brokers Organization (RIBO)
The Rwanda Insurance Brokers Organization (RIBO) was established in response to the growing need for coordination, professionalism, and advocacy within the insurance brokerage industry in Rwanda. Formed as a non-profit, member-based organization, RIBO brings together licensed insurance brokerage firms to promote ethical standards, enhance technical capacity, and represent the collective voice of brokers in policy and regulatory dialogue.
Media Contacts:
Nelson Kubwimana
Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR)
+250783713843
Dirk Reinhard
Munich Re Foundation
dreinhard@munichre-foundation.org
+49 160 704 6016
Aiste Vysniauskaite
Microinsurance Network
avysniauskaite@microinsurancenetwork.org
+352 621173833
