APA Insurance-led partnership pays KShs. 1.9 million to drought-hit farmers in Kenya
APA Insurance, together with SunCulture, Humanity Insured and IBISA, has paid out more than KShs. 1.9 million to 1,736 smallholder farmers affected by rainfall shortages between October and December 2025, providing one of the earliest large-scale tests of climate insurance for farmers in Kenya.
The payouts were made to farmers among 2,083 covered during the period under SunCulture Protect – Climate Insurance, a product launched in October 2025 and integrated into SunCulture’s Pay-As-You-Grow solar irrigation model.
By the numbers
Total payout KShs. 1.9 million
Farmers paid 1,736
Farmers covered 2,083
Clients currently served 3,444
Automatic payouts
The insurance uses satellite-based rainfall monitoring to trigger payouts automatically when predefined thresholds for rainfall shortage or excess rainfall are reached. Farmers still repaying irrigation systems receive payouts that reduce their loan balances, while fully paid-up farmers receive cash directly through mobile wallets.
“This payout is proof that climate insurance can provide farmers protection,”
said Ashok Shah, Group CEO of Apollo Investments. “Within months of launch, farmers have already experienced both excessive rainfall and rainfall shortage and this solution has responded exactly as it should.”
Resilience and continuity
SunCulture said embedding insurance directly into the irrigation financing model removes the need for separate enrolment and ensures farmers are protected from the moment they invest in irrigation equipment.
“This is the reality of farming today, climate shocks are happening in real time,”
said Samir Ibrahim, CEO of SunCulture. “The fact that farmers have already received payouts for rainfall shortage so soon after launch shows how critical it is to embed protection directly into the farming journey.”
Speed and certainty
IBISA, which provides the technology behind the insurance platform, said the programme demonstrated how digital insurance could deliver rapid support when weather-related losses occur.
“Farmers cannot afford delays when crops fail,” said Maria Mateo, CEO of IBISA. “This payout demonstrates that technology-driven insurance can deliver immediate, transparent support exactly when it is needed.”
Humanity Insured, which supports the broader digital ecosystem used by farmers, said the programme had shown its ability to help communities manage both drought and excessive rainfall risks.
“Supporting farmers through both drought and excess rainfall within the first seasons shows how powerful this model can be in strengthening resilience across agricultural communities,” said Charlie Langdale, CEO of Humanity Insured.
Expansion planned
The partnership currently serves 3,444 SunCulture clients and plans to expand into additional markets, with the goal of reaching tens of thousands of farmers over the coming years.
The companies say the model combines insurance, financing and digital tools to provide a scalable approach to climate-risk protection for smallholder farmers facing increasingly volatile weather conditions.
