APA Insurance in partnership with IFC Unveils APA SHEild Programme to Enhance Financial Well-Being for Kenyan Women

APA Insurance, part of the APA Apollo Group, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, today launched APA SHEild to increase access to affordable financial products for women in Kenya, including health, wellness, personal wealth and savings insurance.

The programme is designed specifically for women to enhance and safeguard their well being for different stages of their life. In addition to offering financial products tailored to women, APA SHEild will also provide workshops and webinars to equip women with knowledge and tools to support their personal and professional financial development and security.
“APA SHEild stands out as a truly exceptional and one-of-a-kind programme meticulously crafted with the needs of Kenyan women in mind,” said Catherine Karimi, CEO, APA Life Assurance Limited. “Women have unique insurance and financial needs and these often vary based on individual circumstances, life stages and financial goals. By providing a comprehensive range of resources through Health, Wellness, Wealth and Protection SHEild, we aim to improve the well-being and livelihoods of women, ultimately contributing to the country’s social and economic development.”

According to the World Bank, 31 percent of Kenyan households are women-headed. Women tend to be more vulnerable to physical and financial shocks and often have limited access to coping mechanisms. Insurance and financial guidance can support women to protect themselves, their families, communities and society.
Amena Arif, IFC Country Manager for Kenya said, “Women play a crucial role in driving the economy. IFC and APA are working together to make tailored insurance more accessible and affordable for women in Kenya so that women have the financial products they need to take charge of their lives and future.”

Under the SHEild programme, APA has developed a range of women centric non-life and life insurance solutions to include health, wellness, wealth and protection, as well
as additional value added products and services that provide extra support where needed. This includes collaborating with YuBuntu on a Women’s Cancer Care Programme called ‘APA Femina Plus,’ which is geared as a positive protection by access to regular screenings and HPV vaccinations for breast and cervical cancer. Additionally, it offers support and protection in the form of a cash benefit in the event of a positive diagnosis for breast, cervical or ovarian cancer.

“YuBuntu -“Your Wellness” – is a venture backed by a consortium of global partners including Roche, Pfizer, Swiss_Re, Dai-ichi Life and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation brought together by ARK. Dan White, CEO of Ark, said, ”we are excited about the APA and YuBuntu teams joining forces to create an innovative, total wellness solution exclusively for women. Working together, we aim to make a tangible and measurable impact on the lives of women and girls in Kenya and we look forward to supporting and expanding this further in the future.”
Speaking at the launch of APA SHEild, Ashok Shah, Group CEO, APA Apollo highlighted that: “These partnerships represent a significant step toward bridging gender gaps and promoting gender equality in Kenya, as it recognises the importance of women’s well-being in all aspects of life.

APA Insurance, together with its esteemed partners, is committed to being a catalyst for positive change and empowerment, fostering a more inclusive and secure environment for women across the nation. With APA SHEild, the future is brighter for women in Kenya, as they embark on a journey towards holistic well-being and financial resilience.”
It’s worth noting that APA Signed the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance which forms part of the undertakings by the United Nations Environment Proramme UNEP.