October 24, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie
One of the leading GSM operators in Sierra Leone, Africell Mobile Company, has in partnership with GRAS SAVOYE and ACTIVA International, announced the launch of the first Mobile Life Insurance in the country.
The new product, according to the company’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Joe Abass Bangura, was in response to the country’s four years national strategy for financial inclusion.
He told newsmen in the conference hall of the company’s headquarters on Wilberforce yesterday that findings of a study conducted by the company indicates that only 13% of the adult population have access to formal financial services like savings, credit and insurance.
“Africell as market leader is therefore very delighted to be the first company to launch a Mobile Life Insurance product, thus adding to our firsts in the market,” he said.
He explained that with very low annual premiums of just Le50,000 per annum, beneficiaries of the Africell’s Mobile Life Insurance will be eligible to claim $1,000 upon the death of the policy holder.
In order to be eligible for the product, Mr. Bangura stated that the individual must be an Africell user registered with Africell Money Service, must be between 18-45 years and also have a minimum of Le50,000 in his/her Africell money account.
“Subscribers can subscribe via a mobile phone app. The link to download the app is currently available on the Africell Facebook and Instagram pages and will subsequently be available on Google Play and the App Store,” he added.
Mr. Bangura further stated that subscribers would have to submit their full name, date of birth, beneficiary name, relation to the subscriber and uploading of identification document like National identity card, among others.
He added that upon death of the policy holder, the beneficiary has one month after death to claim but must provide the official death certificate, indicating date of birth of the deceased insured person and any other document.
Africell Managing Director, Shadi Gerjawi said: “We have been working on this product for the past one year. We want to make things simple for our subscribers and give them confidence. We are working hard as always to provide the best services for our subscribers.”