Saglan Wajee Hospital: Revolutionising the healthcare insurance landscape in Ethiopia

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🎧 Impact Story

0 Years

Since the National Bank of Ethiopia last issued a health insurance license.

Customers registered for Efoy 1.0, Saglan Wajee’s first micro-health insurance product, in its first year.

0 %

Fee reduction automatically applied to insured patients’ fees at Saglan Wajee Hospital, greatly enhancing customer satisfaction and perceived value of their health insurance.

(4 USD)

0 Birr

Per child and 800 birr (8 USD) per adult were the initial annual premiums for Efoy insurance, making it accessible to low- and middle-income families in the community.

0 +

Additional patients were reached after upgrading to Efoy 2.0, indicating significant growth and improved outreach after gaining insights from the BimaLab program.

Years

Is the target timeframe for Saglan Wajee to become the biggest risk holder for healthcare in the regional market, with ten years as the goal to compete with major players like Jubilee and AAR.

In rural Ethiopia, many families face significant financial barriers to accessing healthcare. Saglan Wajee General Hospital in Holeta Town, Oromia, is poised to change this narrative by becoming the country's first full-fledged health insurance provider. Through the support of FSD Africa’s BimaLab Insurtech Accelerator Program, Saglan Wajee aims to offer affordable and comprehensive health insurance, transforming the local healthcare landscape for underserved communities. The hospital’s CEO, Dr. Yeraeifirae Sileshi (Dr. Raei), emphasises the importance of insurance in ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of financial status.

BimaLab provided Saglan Wajee with essential venture-building support, including exposure to successful insurance companies like Jubilee and AAR in Kenya. This program facilitated critical connections, particularly with the National Bank of Ethiopia, which had not issued health insurance licenses for 14 years following the failure of an earlier initiative. After participating in BimaLab, Saglan Wajee was granted a license, enabling it to launch its insurance product, Efoy. Initially introduced as Efoy 1.0, this micro-health insurance product was designed for low- and middle-income families, covering a broad range of medical services with minimal financial burden.

The impact of Efoy has been profound. In its first year, the product attracted over 1,200 customers. By upgrading to Efoy 2.0, Saglan Wajee has expanded its coverage, offering segmented services for chronic patients, families, and individuals. Café owner Nurae Gutu Chala and her family were among the early adopters, paying as little as 400 birr (4 USD) per child annually. Despite premium increases to 960 birr (9.5 USD) per child, Nurae’s family continues to renew their policy, appreciating the additional services such as MRI and medication coverage. The upgraded Efoy 2.0 has already reached 900 new clients, demonstrating significant growth and increased community trust.

Dr. Raei’s vision for Saglan Wajee is deeply personal, rooted in his experiences studying and working in China and Ethiopia. Inspired by China's health insurance model, which covers 95% of patients, he returned to Ethiopia determined to address the glaring disparities in healthcare access. Through BimaLab, Dr. Raei gained valuable mentorship and insights, enabling him to build a sustainable insurance model. Looking ahead, Saglan Wajee plans to expand its insurance network, integrating 130 health facilities and launching a new branch in Addis Ababa. Dr. Raei’s ultimate goal is to establish Saglan Wajee as a leading competitor in the regional insurance market, driving a revolution in healthcare access across Ethiopia.

Africa’s aquaculture industry is expanding rapidly, with some regions experiencing annual growth rates of up to 23%. Yet, this growth belies the persistent hurdles that threaten the sector’s sustainability. Overfishing and climate change have led to declining fish stocks, particularly in Lake Victoria, where fishing communities are heavily reliant on this natural resource. In Kenya alone, there are 43,494 aquaculture farmers with 66,337 ponds, but nearly half remain inactive, highlighting significant underutilisation of resources. One of the biggest obstacles is a $12 billion annual financing gap that prevents fish farmers from accessing critical resources. Cultural and gender biases further complicate the landscape, with women fish sellers often facing economic exploitation and cultural restrictions. For many, the lack of access to quality inputs, technical guidance, and financial services perpetuates cycles of poverty.

In Kenya, aquaculture plays a critical role in communities, but systemic challenges persist. There are approximately 43,494 aquaculture farmers and 66,337 ponds, yet nearly half of these ponds are inactive. To unlock the potential of this sector, innovation and sustainable solutions are essential.Against this backdrop, AquaMnara has emerged as a game-changer for fish farmers and traders in Kenya. Founded by Elizabeth Okullow under the Triggering Exponential Climate Action (TECA) programme, the venture delivers innovative solutions to address these systemic challenges.

AquaMnara offers a suite of services tailored to the needs of aquaculture communities:

Linkages to certified suppliers: Farmers access high-quality fingerlings, optimal feeds, and water quality testing kits.

Financial inclusion: An e-voucher system allows farmers to acquire essential inputs on credit from pre-approved providers, bridging the gap between financial institutions and aquaculture practitioners.
Sustainable practices: Training programmes equip farmers with the knowledge to boost productivity while minimising environmental harm.

The venture’s success is powered by partnerships with global organisations such as the Pepsico Foundation, IREX and the Mandela Washington Fellowship, enabling AquaMnara to launch pioneering initiatives like the Women in Aquaculture programme. This programme empowers women by providing them with resources and support to overcome cultural barriers and achieve economic independence.

At the heart of AquaMnara is Elizabeth Okullow, whose personal experiences and deep understanding of the fishing community drive the organisation’s mission. Growing up, Elizabeth witnessed the struggles of her grandmother, a fishmonger who often returned home empty-handed due to dwindling fish stocks and exploitative practices. Inspired to find lasting solutions, Elizabeth launched AquaMnara to empower communities and promote sustainable aquaculture. Her participation in the TECA programme was pivotal, providing her with mentorship and $27,500 in seed funding to develop AquaMnara’s business model. Elizabeth’s vision extends beyond short-term fixes—she aims to establish cold storage facilities, fingerling production units, and fish feed processing plants to ensure long-term sustainability for fish farmers. Elizabeth is particularly passionate about empowering women, who have traditionally faced cultural and economic barriers in the aquaculture sector. ares.

Through the Women in Aquaculture programme, AquaMnara has supported 20 women with aquaculture cages and is piloting additional initiatives to provide them with inputs and training. “I wanted to be the solution my community needed while protecting Lake Victoria’s ecosystem. AquaMnara is not just a business; it’s a mission to transform lives,” she shThe impact of AquaMnara’s interventions is best illustrated through the story of Samwel Nyabinda and his wife, Sharon Awuor. Once a boda boda rider, Samwel struggled to make ends meet until Sharon introduced him to aquaculture. They started small, with limited knowledge and resources, which led to challenges in maintaining healthy ponds and viable yields. When AquaMnara entered the picture, everything changed. Through technical guidance and water quality tests, the couple learned to optimise their farming practices. Over the past year and a half, they expanded from one pond to three, each yielding over 150,000 shillings per cycle.

With their increased income, they installed a solar pump to maintain sustainable water levels and purchased a motorbike for the efficient distribution of their fish. Samwel now serves as a mentor to other youth in Nyakach, using his farm as a demonstration site for sustainable aquaculture practices.

Story of the Green Bond issuance

A commitment to gender equality

BCP’s social bond framework was designed to empower low-income women economically.

Launching the gender bond

In March 2021, BCP issued Africa’s first gender bond, promoting inclusive finance.

Transforming lives

The impact of these initiatives is evident as women across Morocco thrive economically.

Creating opportunities

Attawfiq’s programs not only provide loans but also training and support for women entrepreneurs.

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Key impact metrics

Through targeted micro-credit programs, Attawfiq has empowered women to expand their businesses.

More than half of the loans have been granted to women, fostering their economic independence.

This groundbreaking initiative promotes gender equality and sustainable finance in Morocco.