Safaricom Targets Riders and Drivers With Bundled Insurance and Data

Key Takeaways

Kenya’s motorcycle taxi and ride-hailing industry has grown rapidly, with more than 2.4 million registered motorcycles on the roads and tens of thousands of drivers working on digital platforms. The sector employs millions directly and indirectly, but most workers operate informally, without pensions, savings, or health cover. Fatalities involving boda bodas have also been rising, with the National Transport and Safety Authority reporting that riders and their passengers account for more than a third of all road deaths in recent years. The lack of affordable and accessible insurance has been a key policy concern, with government efforts such as mandatory third-party motor insurance seeing mixed enforcement. By integrating microinsurance into mobile bundles, Safaricom and Turaco are testing whether low-cost, tech-enabled products can fill a gap left by traditional insurers. The success of the model will depend on affordability and whether payouts are delivered quickly enough to build trust among riders.