Sanlam and MTN’s alliance to market and distribute insurance and investment products across Africa has received regulatory approval, the companies said in a joint statement this week.
The partnership, which became effective on 31 October, will be implemented through MTN’s insurtech platform aYo Holdings, in which each partner will hold 50%.
Through aYo, the companies will build and develop digital insurance and investment offerings that will provide people across Africa with easier access to Sanlam’s products, particularly those people who have typically been unable to access traditional distribution channels.
MTN’s president and chief executive, Ralph Mupita, said the alliance was aligned to the group’s strategic intent to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
“We are confident that this alliance will build and leverage the strengths and assets of both companies to establish a digital insurance and investment capability across Africa,” he said.
Sanlam’s chief executive, Paul Hanratty, said: “We are delighted to reach such a critical stage in our drive to deepen penetration of insurance and investment products across Africa through strategic partnerships.
“We are confident that a strong foundation is in place for this alliance. Sanlam believes that this strategic alliance with the MTN Group will make a considerable contribution to financial inclusion in Africa.”
By leveraging off the MTN brand, Sanlam’s licensing, broad product capabilities, financial services expertise and both groups’ geographical footprint across the continent, the alliance has the potential to pre-empt and adapt to digital disruption in markets where both companies operate.
