Liberty Mutual Re launches partnership to provide market first parametric solution to protect Kenyan Coffee farmers
Liberty Mutual Reinsurance (LM Re), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, has today announced a partnership with Insurtech firm Sprout, Inc (Sprout) and diversified financial services firm Britam as the local underwriter to launch a new parametric insurance product, designed to protect Kenyan coffee growers from financial losses due to drought.
The newly launched product, which stems from collaborative efforts at the Lloyd’s Lab Launchpad Pitch, provides swift payouts trigged by specific weather events, offering immediate financial support to mitigate the risks of crop failures.
Sprout, leveraging its expertise in technology-driven insurance solutions in the agricultural sector, uses satellite data and machine learning to assess historical weather patterns, empowering farmers to maintain productivity despite climate challenges. LM Re has supported the solution since its inception, through shaping the structure of the coverage and the capacity allocation.
The product is designed not only to protect against climate risks but also to address the specific needs of coffee growers, incorporating real-time advisory services to assist farmers in adapting their farming practices based on weather forecasts, thereby enhancing their resilience.
The innovative scheme, in which coverage premium is funded by global coffee buyers, supports local operations while minimising operating costs for Kenyan farmers. This approach ensures that farmers can quickly recover from adverse conditions, maintaining their livelihoods. By keeping financial resources within Kenya and supporting local agriculture, the new insurance product aims to bolster the local economy and promote sustainable farming practices, offering a crucial safety net for farmers facing increasing climate variability.
The product launches with the support of Kenyan insurer Britam aligning with regulatory and industry efforts to close the insurance gap and provide more comprehensive coverage options for local farmers.
Jean-Christophe Garaix, Head of Agriculture and Parametrics, Liberty Mutual Re, said: “This launch is testament to our commitment to providing innovative insurance solutions that empower local communities in emerging markets to be more climate resilient. Partnering with Sprout allows us to combine our reinsurance expertise with their deep understanding of agricultural needs, resulting in a product that offers tangible benefits to Kenyan farmers and provides a stabilizing effect for the local economy.”
Ashley King-Bischof, CEO, Sprout, added: “This coffee product is a catalyst to unlock production potential and climate financing options for smallholder farmers in Kenya. Partnering with LM Re allows us to deliver a robust product and support farmers when they need it most.”
Tom Gitogo, Managing Director and CEO, Britam Group, said: “As part of our sustainability strategy, we aim to champion innovative microinsurance solutions that not only safeguard vulnerable populations, such as small-scale farmers, from climate risks but also deepen financial inclusion among the low-income population. These emerging risks are underserved in the market and to address this gap, Britam partners with local and global organizations to develop innovative solutions.”
Authored by Liberty Mutual Re
