Enterprise development is a key development policy priority across SSA national agendas. Small and medium enterprise development is typically considered a key driver of economic growth, employment, and innovation. However, insurance support for these enterprises is currently limited – although several SME-focused insurance products were identified in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda, most available products are characteristic of scaled-down large corporate products that do not necessarily account for the nuanced needs of SMEs. Nevertheless, insurance markets can make a greater contribution towards enterprise growth and economic development by encouraging productive risk-taking, while protecting companies from losses arising due to external shocks. 

Mr. Jeremy Gray (Lead Presenter) is a Senior Engagement Manager at Cenfri. He has a particular interest in the role of policymakers and regulators to improve the role that the financial sector to meet individual’s financial needs. He has conducted and managed research across a range of content areas throughout the developing world, including market diagnostics (financial inclusion and insurance) and discrete project work in the areas of insurance, retail payments, the measurement of financial inclusion and regulating for innovation. 

Mr. Sahler Gregor (Moderator) joined Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in 2017 as expert in financial systems development. At GIZ he works as advisor in the Sector Program Global Initiative for Access to Insurance where he is focusing, among other topics, on the development of insurance markets for MSMEs. Before Gregor joined GIZ he worked for the Savings Banks Foundation for International Cooperation in Indonesia where he advised regional development banks on formal financial services for MSMEs. His previous work also includes positions at the German Development Institute (DIE) and the ProCredit Banking Group.