M-insurance – insurance sold through or with a mobile network operator (MNO) – has gained significant attention in recent years due to its rapid growth in African and Asian markets and its potential to grow inclusive insurance markets. However, not all schemes have had the same success. In Zimbabwe, the dramatic failure of EcoLife resulted in 20% of the adult population losing cover overnight and highlighted the critical need to balance the financial policy objectives of financial inclusion, financial stability, integrity, and consumer protection.

This study takes lessons from the EcoLife m-insurance case and develops recommendations with the aim of protecting clients and ensuring positive synergies between financial inclusion and these other policy objectives in the m-insurance space.

Download the Zimbabwe study

Download the Tanzania study

Download the Zambia report