SADC faces high levels of exclusion in insurance. It is therefore appropriate for SADC supervisors to pursue inclusive insurance markets based on international guidance. Since the vast majority of SADC populations are excluded from insurance, it also holds that retail markets are extremely small. Microinsurance can, therefore, form a foundation for building the overall retail insurance market.

This report supports the implementation of commitments made by SADC members to align the regulation of their financial sectors with international standards. It includes an assessment of the degree to which regulatory approaches accommodate financial sector development and financial inclusion.