Zimbabwe’s Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) hosted a two-day training workshop in Harare with the World Bank and FSD Africa aimed at developing innovative insurance products to help close the protection gap for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The workshop convened insurers, brokers, and public-sector stakeholders including the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation. IPEC Commissioner Dr Grace Muradzikwa highlighted the scale of MSME exposure to insurable risks including recurrent fire outbreaks, while facilitators focused on product and distribution innovation, with participants exploring simpler and more affordable solutions, flexible payment models, mobile-based distribution, and community-driven networks to improve access. The training concluded with a call for practical actions to design products aligned to MSME risks, build trust and awareness among entrepreneurs, leverage technology, and align MSME protection with national financial inclusion strategies, with IPEC indicating it will continue working with partners on inclusive insurance market development.
Zimbabwe Insurance and Pensions Commission 2025-09-09
Zimbabwe Insurance and Pensions Commission hosts World Bank and FSD Africa workshop on MSME insurance product innovation
Zimbabwe’s Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC), with the World Bank and FSD Africa, held a workshop in Harare to develop innovative insurance products for MSMEs. The event gathered insurers, brokers, and public-sector stakeholders to address MSME risk exposure and explore solutions like flexible payment models and mobile-based distribution. IPEC emphasized aligning MSME protection with national financial inclusion strategies.