Expanding our offering: how microinsurance is strengthening financial resilience

When illness, accidents, or sudden loss strike, a single shock can undo years of hard-earned progress. At ASA International, we believe that financial inclusion is not complete without financial protection.

In 2025, this commitment was put into practice through the launch and scale-up of our microinsurance offering, developed in partnership with Turaco. Designed around the everyday risks our clients face, the product strengthens their ability to withstand shocks and stay on track, helping families safeguard livelihoods and move forward with confidence. At the same time, it marks an important step in our strategy to drive growth by expanding our product offering in a way that is both client-centred and scalable.

When protection meets reality

Across many of the markets we serve, insurance has traditionally been out of reach for low-income households. It is often seen as complicated, costly, or simply “not for people like me”. Embedding microinsurance directly into ASA loans is changing that perception.

The product offers simple, affordable cover for health, life, and, where relevant, business risks, with minimal friction for clients and staff. Uptake has been strong, but it is the claims experience that matters most. Once the required documentation is in place, claims can be processed within hours, ensuring that support arrives when it is needed, not after the damage is done. For clients who rely on daily income, this speed can be decisive. Recognising that documentation can be a barrier, we continue to invest in client education and frontline support to ensure clients understand the process and can access benefits when they need them most.

Just as important is what this experience builds over time: trust. Clients experience protection as timely, fair, and dignified, strengthening their relationship with ASA International. For the organisation, this reinforces portfolio quality and long-term sustainability. For clients, it builds confidence that ASA will stand beside them when it matters most.

What client experiences are telling us

Behind the numbers are recurring client experiences shaped by different shocks but a common risk of disruption. In the short film marking the 500,000-client milestone, clients describe how illness, childbirth, or fire threatened their livelihoods. Timely hospital support prevents health events from escalating into financial crises, while insurance payouts help business owners restock and reopen after loss rather than start again from zero.

Together, these experiences reveal a clear pattern. Clients are not seeking handouts. They are seeking continuity. Insurance serves as a bridge between crisis and recovery, often determining whether a setback remains temporary or becomes permanent.

Driving growth through innovation and partnership

Our partnership with Turaco is built around a simple requirement: insurance has to work for the communities we serve. Turaco’s digital, customer-first model aligns closely with ASA International’s own digital ambitions, enabling insurance to be embedded seamlessly into existing loan processes while keeping client needs at the centre.

This digital approach is balanced with a strong presence in the field. Teams from both organisations regularly engage with clients and frontline staff, listening to experiences and learning directly from claims and recovery stories. These first-hand insights continue to shape product design and delivery, reinforcing the importance of combining technology with high-touch engagement.