Driven by a deep commitment to safeguarding African farmers, J.P. Fabri has dedicated his career to mitigating the devastating effects of extreme weather on agriculture. His innovative insurance solution offers a lifeline, shielding farmers from the crippling financial impact of crop failures and fostering resilience in the face of adversity.
We sat down with him to explore the story behind MyUbuntu, the inspiration fueling this groundbreaking venture, and his vision for empowering farmers in Africa’s most vulnerable regions.
What inspired you to start an insurtech company focused on African farmers?
I’ve always been deeply passionate about resilience and economic empowerment, especially in regions where people face significant challenges beyond their control. Working as an economist, I had the privilege of advising several governments on resilience and economic diversification. It became clear to me that while agriculture is at the heart of many African economies, the farmers who sustain it often lack the protection and financial tools they need to weather climate risks.
I remember a particular moment that really brought this to life for me. I was speaking with farmers who shared stories of losing entire seasons of crops to drought or floods, with no safety net. They wanted to invest in their farms, to grow, to improve their families’ lives, but one bad season could set them back years. That’s when I realised that parametric insurance could be a lifeline. By using predefined triggers like rainfall levels, we could offer immediate relief when farmers needed it most, without the bureaucracy of traditional insurance claims. This idea inspired myUbuntu Insurance—to provide fast, affordable insurance that truly meets the needs of African farmers.
What personal experiences or observations led you to this idea?
When I began working on resilience strategies for governments, I realised how much climate change impacts people who are least equipped to handle it. I felt a strong responsibility to use my skills to create something meaningful—something that would give farmers the support they need to thrive, even in the face of unpredictable challenges.
What were the specific challenges faced by farmers that you aimed to address?
The challenges were numerous, but the biggest ones were vulnerability to climate change, lack of access to financial services, and limited security. Traditional insurance simply wasn’t an option for most farmers, either because it was too costly or too slow to make a real difference. Farmers needed a solution that could provide quick financial relief after a climate event, allowing them to replant and recover quickly. At *myUbuntu*, we’re tackling this head-on by offering parametric insurance embedded in broader agricultural solutions, so that farmers don’t just survive bad seasons—they’re empowered to invest, grow, and secure a better future.
“I was speaking with farmers who shared stories of losing entire seasons of crops to drought or floods, with no safety net. They wanted to invest in their farms, to grow, to improve their families’ lives, but one bad season could set them back years. That’s when I realised that parametric insurance could be a lifeline.”
J.P.Fabri
How did you identify the specific needs and pain points of African farmers related to climate-induced losses?
My approach has always been to start by listening. I’ve spent time on the ground talking with farmers, local cooperatives, and agricultural organisations, hearing directly from them about their challenges. The stories I heard were consistent—farmers told me about their struggle to recover from climate events, with no safety net or financial support after a bad season. For many, a single drought or flood could wipe out their income, leaving them with little to rebuild.
In addition to these conversations, I analysed data on agricultural output, climate impact, and financial inclusion across Sub-Saharan Africa. It was clear that traditional insurance models weren’t serving these farmers — claims processes were slow and complex, and premiums were often beyond their reach. This made parametric insurance an ideal solution. By using objective, predefined weather triggers, we could offer immediate payouts without the delays and costs of traditional models. This insight formed the basis for myUbuntu Insurance, designed specifically to address the pain points African farmers face every day with accessible, affordable, and reliable insurance solutions.
How did you convince farmers, often with limited technological literacy, to adopt your insurtech solution?
From the start, we knew that trust and simplicity were essential. Many farmers were unfamiliar with insurance, especially a parametric model, so we focused on building relationships and making our solution accessible. We partnered with trusted local cooperatives and community leaders, who played a huge role in bridging the gap and explaining the product in a way that resonated. By working with organisations that farmers already relied on, we could convey that myUbuntu Insurance was here to support them—not as an abstract concept, but as a real safety net.
What strategies did you use to build trust and educate farmers about the benefits of your product?
We took a very hands-on, human-centered approach. Instead of overwhelming farmers with technical details, we focused on relatable examples: ‘If it doesn’t rain, you’ll receive a payout automatically, so you can replant or recover without waiting.’ Our distribution network of engagement officers played a key role in this, offering face-to-face support and reassurance.
“It was clear that traditional insurance models weren’t serving these farmers — claims processes were slow and complex, and premiums were often beyond their reach.”
J.P. Fabri
What were the biggest challenges in building an insurtech startup in Africa, particularly in terms of infrastructure, regulations, and talent acquisition?
One of our biggest challenges was the lack of familiarity with insurance among farmers. Traditional insurance is often seen as complex and out of reach, and many farmers weren’t convinced that insurance could be a viable safety net for them. To address this, we focused on simplifying our messaging and building trust through trusted community leaders and cooperatives who could communicate the benefits of myUbuntu Insurance in a way that felt relatable and relevant.
Another major hurdle was affordability. Many farmers live on tight margins, so offering a price point that made sense for them while keeping our solution sustainable required careful planning. By using parametric insurance, which has fewer administrative costs, and leveraging technology to automate payouts, we were able to offer a product that met their financial realities without sacrificing quality or speed.
Infrastructure limitations were also challenging, especially in rural areas with limited internet access. To make the platform accessible, we optimised it for basic mobile devices and minimised reliance on high-speed internet. This ensures that even farmers in remote areas can benefit from the security our insurance provides.
How did you overcome these challenges?
We overcame these challenges by listening to farmers and co-creating a solution that was truly designed for them. Our hands-on approach with local partnerships helped us build trust and ensure that our product was well understood. We also took an adaptive approach to pricing and distribution, working directly with local stakeholders to ensure that myUbuntu Insurance was both accessible and affordable. By staying closely connected to our customers, we could continually refine our approach to meet their needs effectively.
Can you share a specific case study where your solution has significantly benefited a farmer or a community?
Since we are in the pilot phase, our rollout is still in progress. However, early feedback from our pilot program has shown promising results. For instance, we recently engaged with a cooperative of farmers in Zimbabwe who experienced the uncertainty of unpredictable rains last season.
Through our parametric insurance, they understood for the first time how they could have immediate financial protection if a drought or flood were to affect their crops. The simplicity and speed of the payout process, which they’d never seen in traditional insurance, reassured them that they wouldn’t need to wait or navigate complex claims
How did this impact their lives and livelihoods?
While we’re in the early stages, the potential impact is already clear. Farmers who’ve joined the pilot have shared that this coverage provides them with peace of mind, knowing they’re protected against climate shocks. For these farmers, access to insurance isn’t just a financial tool—it’s a step toward building a more resilient livelihood. We’re excited to expand this program and gather more stories of impact as our rollout continues
How do you measure the impact of your insurtech solution on farmers’ livelihoods and community resilience?
We believe that true impact goes beyond numbers; it’s about tangible improvements in farmers’ lives and the resilience of their communities. To capture this, we look at a combination of both quantitative and qualitative metrics that reflect not just financial outcomes, but also long-term stability and growth.
What metrics do you use to assess the effectiveness of your product?
We use a few key metrics to assess our impact:
- Payout Speed and Claim Satisfaction – We track how quickly payouts are issued following a weather event and gather feedback on farmers’ satisfaction with the claims process. A swift, reliable payout is central to our value proposition, and it’s one of the most direct indicators of our product’s effectiveness.
- Farmers’ Investment in Productivity – We measure whether insured farmers are investing more in productivity inputs, such as seeds, fertilisers, or equipment. Insurance can give farmers the confidence to invest, knowing they have a safety net.
- Financial Security and Income Stability – We assess changes in farmers’ income stability and financial security, especially following adverse weather. By helping farmers maintain income through challenging seasons, we aim to reduce the likelihood of them slipping into poverty due to climate shocks.
- Community Resilience – Beyond individual farmers, we monitor community-level indicators, such as cooperative growth and collective investments in resources, as a sign of strengthened resilience.
These metrics, combined with qualitative feedback from the farmers themselves, give us a comprehensive picture of our impact. As we expand, our goal is to continually refine our approach to ensure our solution provides meaningful, measurable improvements in resilience and quality of life for farmers and their communities
What are the future plans for your company, including expansion into new markets or product offerings?
In the near term, we’re focused on scaling our pilot in Zimbabwe and expanding into Nigeria and Ethiopia, regions where the need for agricultural insurance is critical. We’re also looking to introduce bundled solutions—combining insurance with access to inputs, finance, and advisory tools—so that farmers have a comprehensive support system that goes beyond just insurance.
“It’s essential to approach every interaction with humility and a willingness to adapt. Farmers know their land, their challenges, and what solutions might work for them better than anyone else—our role is to listen, learn, and co-create.”
J.P. Fabri
How do you envision the future of insurance for African farmers, and what role will your company play in shaping it?
I believe the future of insurance for African farmers is one that’s accessible, affordable, and fully integrated into their daily lives. It’s about moving from reactive to proactive solutions that empower farmers to make confident decisions, regardless of the climate risks they face. Our goal at myUbuntu is to lead this shift by making insurance easy to access and tailored to the needs of each community. As we grow, we’ll continue to innovate with technologies like web3 to keep costs low and improve transparency, all while building trust within communities.
Ultimately, we see myUbuntu not just as an insurance provider but as a catalyst for rural transformation. By equipping farmers with the tools they need to thrive, we’re investing in Africa’s agricultural future—one where every farmer can look ahead with security and confidence.
What are the key lessons you’ve learned from your entrepreneurial journey in the insurtech space?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of truly understanding the needs of the people you’re serving. In insurtech, especially in agriculture, building trust with farmers is foundational. It’s essential to approach every interaction with humility and a willingness to adapt. Farmers know their land, their challenges, and what solutions might work for them better than anyone else—our role is to listen, learn, and co-create.
Another lesson is the power of resilience and adaptability. Working in insurtech in Africa comes with unique challenges, from regulatory hurdles to infrastructure limitations, and success often depends on finding creative solutions and being willing to pivot when necessary.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs in the agritech and insurtech sectors?
My advice would be to stay deeply connected to your mission and your customers. Agritech and insurtech are spaces where you can create tremendous impact, but that impact depends on building solutions that are truly accessible and relevant. Spend time on the ground, talk to your customers, and design your product around their needs, not assumptions.
Also, be patient and persistent. Impact in these sectors doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a gradual process of building trust, proving value, and constantly refining. Finally, embrace partnerships. Collaborating with local organisations, cooperatives, and even other tech platforms can accelerate growth and help you reach more people in a meaningful way.
How do you see the role of technology in addressing climate change and food security challenges in Africa?
Technology is a powerful tool that can bridge gaps and create resilience in ways that weren’t possible before. In the face of climate change, African farmers are on the front lines, and technology can provide them with actionable, real-time solutions that strengthen food security and mitigate risk. From access to accurate weather forecasting to mobile-based financial tools, technology enables us to respond quickly, helping farmers make more informed decisions and reduce losses from climate events.
Interview by Joanna England
Editors note: You can join J.P. Fabri and the MyUnbuntu team for an inspiring and thought-provoking event on December 10, 2024 at 0930 at Lloyd’s Lab, where they will shed light on the transformative role of parametric insurance in supporting smallholder farmers across Africa. As climate change continues to disrupt agriculture, innovative solutions like parametric insurance are essential to safeguarding livelihoods, fostering resilience, and driving sustainable economic growth. Panelists include Julian Roberts, Managing Director, Alternative Risk Transfer, Parametric Solutions, WTW; Peter Way, Head of Actuarial Africa Specialty Risks; Dr. Benjamin Kwasi Addom, Adviser, Agriculture & Fisheries Trade Policy, Commonwealth Secretariat; and, Allan Wishart, Director, Green Briars Consulting.
