Let’s face it. Africans don’t like speaking about dying. We are able to gossip about politics for five hours, argue about who the GOAT is between Wizkid and and even spend days analyzing a pastor’s prophecy—however the second “life insurance coverage” enters the dialog, all people abruptly remembers they’ve an pressing assembly with future.
It’s nearly cultural. We keep away from writing wills as a result of “God forbid!”. We dodge insurance coverage as a result of “I reject it in Jesus’ identify!”. But, when life occurs—and it all the time does—households are left fundraising on WhatsApp teams, promoting properties, and taking a look at church choices simply to offer family members a good burial.
Actually, I believe right here in Africa, we spend extra on weddings than on safety for the long run, extra on aso-ebi than on a life coverage, and extra on “enjoyment at present” than on tomorrow’s certainty. However guess what? Life insurance coverage is quick changing into a must have for Africans, whether or not we prefer it or not.
The Harsh Actuality No person Desires to Admit
Right here’s the reality: life is unpredictable. We all know it, however we act like we don’t. In Africa, an sickness, accident, or sudden dying doesn’t simply break hearts—it breaks financial institution accounts. Households get thrown into monetary chaos as a result of the breadwinner by no means thought life insurance coverage was “obligatory.”
Now think about a society the place as a substitute of crowdfunding burials, we had life insurance policies that safe households, pay faculty charges, and maintain households afloat. Seems like frequent sense, proper? Sadly, frequent sense isn’t all the time frequent apply.
Why Africans Are Now Paying Consideration
A shift is occurring. Slowly, reluctantly, however certainly. Extra Africans are realizing that life insurance coverage isn’t a curse; it’s a cushion. It’s not about inviting dying; it’s about defending life after you’re gone.
Right here’s why it’s changing into a must have:
Unpredictable Economic system – Inflation eats financial savings quicker than termites eat wooden. Life insurance coverage offers households a security internet.
Rising Medical Prices – Hospitals don’t take prayers as fee. insurance coverage plan does.
Generational Duty – Africans don’t simply stay for themselves; they stay for his or her households, prolonged households, and typically, your complete village.
International Affect – With publicity to world monetary literacy, extra Africans are realizing insurance coverage is wealth planning, not witchcraft.
Who’s Main the Manner?
Fortunately, the African insurance coverage business is waking up. Firms are innovating, making insurance policies less complicated, cheaper, and digital-friendly. The truth is, if you wish to know who’s making waves, try our article on the Prime 10 Insurance coverage Firms in Africa, 2025.
The Satirical Aspect of It All
In fact, outdated habits die exhausting. Some nonetheless say:
- “Life insurance coverage is for wealthy individuals.”
- “Insurance coverage firms don’t pay.”
- “Why insure my life when God is my cowl?”
But the identical individuals spend 1000’s on information bundles to argue about Messi vs. Ronaldo. Or hundreds of thousands on elaborate burials as a substitute of small annual premiums. Isn’t it ironic?
In reality, shopping for life insurance coverage is much less about distrust of God and extra about loving your loved ones sufficient to not go away them stranded. If something, it’s an act of religion—religion that your kids gained’t must pause their schooling to promote groundnuts while you’re gone.
Closing Ideas: The Way forward for Life Insurance coverage in Africa
Life insurance coverage is now not a luxurious; it’s survival. For Africans, it’s the distinction between abandoning a legacy or abandoning liabilities. The tradition of denial should give technique to the tradition of preparation.
As a result of when the mud settles and the WhatsApp tributes fade, what stays is the monetary actuality. And in that actuality, life insurance coverage is not only an possibility anymore—it’s a must have.
