Trash to Resilience:
The Challenge
Insurance penetration across Africa remains among the lowest in the world. In 2019, coverage stood at only 2.78%, compared to the global average of 7.23%.
In Nigeria, despite its large population, access to affordable insurance is still limited—barriers include:
High premium costs
Low awareness of insurance benefits
Limited innovation tailored for low-income communities
Millions of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly low-income earners and informal workers, have been left without the safety net of health coverage.
Unique concepts brought to life
To tackle these gaps, FSD Africa, in partnership with Swiss Re Foundation and Nigeria’s National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), launched the BimaLab Insurtech Accelerator Programme.
In Nigeria, the programme focused on:
NAICOM
Supporting microinsurance policy development through NAICOM
Training & Mentorship
Equipping startups with training and mentorship
Networks
Building networks and partnerships to scale solutions
Soso Care’s Waste-for-Health Model
With BimaLab’s support, Soso Care leveraged:
• Training & mentorship to refine its business model
• Partnerships with AXA and AIICO for credibility and reach
• Collaboration with Wema Bank for technical and financial support
• Municipal partnership in Port Harcourt to roll out coverage to 5,000 residents under the Waste-to-Health Scheme
Through this unique approach, recyclable waste (plastic bottles, cans, scrap) is exchanged for insurance cover—providing healthcare to underserved groups while tackling Nigeria’s waste management crisis.
Soso Care’s Waste-for-Health Model
7,000+ women empowered with income opportunities through plastic collection
• 5,000+ new enrollees expected in Port Harcourt in one year
• 4 cities in Nigeria currently covered by Soso Care
• Health coverage + environmental benefit: access to care while reducing urban waste
Case in point: In 2019, a pilot project with 100 women collectors provided both income and environmental benefits. Today, this has scaled to thousands, proving the model’s resilience and scalability.
Driving Gender Equality & Economic Resilience
Soso Care’s approach doesn’t just improve healthcare access—it also empowers women and marginalized communities to generate income and participate in sustainable development. This dual benefit of health + livelihood makes it a pioneering model in inclusive insurance.
Why It Matters
Soso Care demonstrates that with the right networks, mentorship, and policy support, innovation can thrive—even without massive financial backing. BimaLab’s role in fostering these non-monetary enablers was pivotal.
Moreover, the success of BimaLab in Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria proves that resilience-building tools can be replicated across Africa with real, measurable impact.
With BimaLab’s support, we turned trash into healthcare access—creating healthier communities and a cleaner environment.
BimaLab will help you ideate, design & implement
