Kenya’s fast-growing international private medical insurance (IPMI) market has received a major boost following a new partnership between AXA Global Healthcare, Old Mutual General Insurance Kenya, and Executive Healthcare Solutions (EHS), aimed at broadening access to global medical cover across East Africa.
The collaboration, which took effect on 1 October 2025, marks a strategic alignment of global expertise and local market strength. Under the agreement, Executive Healthcare Solutions will serve as the exclusive distributor of AXA Global Healthcare policies in Kenya, while Old Mutual will act as the local insurer for the products.
The deal is designed to deliver comprehensive international health insurance solutions that meet rising demand among Kenya’s globally connected population — from expatriates and multinational employees to small business owners and high-net-worth individuals seeking access to quality healthcare worldwide.
Market Expansion Amid Rising Demand
Kenya’s IPMI sector is projected to grow by over 10 percent annually, driven by increased awareness of global medical options, expanding corporate mobility, and the growing middle class. The partnership between AXA, Old Mutual, and EHS aims to tap into this momentum while ensuring compliance with evolving local insurance regulations and regional harmonization frameworks.
Analysts say the move strengthens Kenya’s role as a gateway for international medical insurance partnerships in Africa — particularly as global insurers seek to enter regulated markets through local underwriters with deep community and institutional networks.
“Kenya has positioned itself as a regional hub for healthcare and insurance innovation,” said Japheth Ogalloh, Managing Director of Old Mutual General Insurance Kenya. “This partnership strengthens Old Mutual’s mission to provide accessible, trusted, and customer-focused healthcare protection that meets the needs of a dynamic and globally connected population.”
New Product Offering: Global Executive Health Plan
At the center of the collaboration is the Global Executive Health Plan (GEHP) — a new international health insurance product tailored for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The plan offers members seamless access to healthcare services across multiple countries while remaining locally insured by Old Mutual to comply with Kenyan insurance laws.
Through Executive Healthcare Solutions, policyholders will enjoy benefits that include global hospital access, direct billing arrangements, and comprehensive coverage for inpatient and outpatient care. The agreement also involves the renewal-based transfer of EHS’s existing IPMI customer portfolio across several African markets, consolidating its regional reach under the AXA brand.
“Our deep understanding of the insurance needs of those living and working in Africa means we know what clients are looking for from their international health cover,” said Aly Maherali, CEO of Executive Healthcare Solutions.
“By collaborating exclusively with AXA Global Healthcare, we’re able to offer solutions supported by a trusted global brand — giving our clients confidence and peace of mind as they navigate today’s complex healthcare landscape.”
Maherali added that EHS’s 25 years of experience in Sub-Saharan Africa gives it the local insight necessary to deliver efficient, customer-centric services.
Strategic Alignment with AXA’s Global Growth Plan
For AXA Global Healthcare, the partnership with Old Mutual marks a key milestone in its broader global growth strategy. The insurer, known for its strong footprint in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, is increasingly turning its attention to Africa’s emerging health insurance markets, where coverage gaps remain significant.
“Collaborating with Old Mutual represents a major milestone in our global growth strategy and our long-term commitment to Africa,” said Karim Idilby, Chief Growth Officer at AXA Global Healthcare.
“Old Mutual’s leadership position in Kenya and East Africa makes them an ideal partner, particularly as we focus on the Individuals and SMEs strategic growth segments.”
The company’s Global Head of Distribution, Andy O’Cain, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the strategic importance of Africa in AXA’s long-term plans.
“Our goal is to become the leading player in Africa’s international private medical insurance market,” O’Cain said. “Partnering with established leaders like Old Mutual and Executive Healthcare Solutions gives us a strong foundation to serve both existing and new customers across the region.”
Regulatory and Industry Context
The move comes at a time when Kenya’s Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) has been tightening oversight of international medical insurance products to ensure consumer protection and compliance with local laws.
Recent guidelines require that foreign insurers offering cross-border medical policies partner with licensed local underwriters — a model that the AXA-Old Mutual collaboration follows closely. Industry experts say this framework is helping to attract credible global players while safeguarding the interests of policyholders.
Kenya’s insurance industry has seen sustained growth over the past decade, with medical insurance emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments, accounting for nearly a third of total premiums written. The expansion of international private medical insurance is expected to further deepen market penetration and encourage competition among service providers.
Strengthening Kenya’s Role as a Regional Health Insurance Hub
The deal also aligns with Kenya’s broader economic strategy of positioning itself as a regional hub for financial and healthcare services, leveraging its skilled workforce, digital infrastructure, and strategic location.
For multinational corporations, embassies, and development agencies with staff operating across Africa, Kenya’s emerging IPMI framework offers a one-stop base for compliant and scalable health insurance solutions.
The integration of AXA’s global healthcare expertise with Old Mutual’s trusted local presence and EHS’s extensive broker network could make Nairobi a key node in the continent’s growing cross-border health insurance ecosystem.
“This partnership brings the best of both worlds — global standards and local understanding,” said a regional health sector analyst. “It represents a maturing of Kenya’s insurance landscape and the deepening of international confidence in the market.”
Broader Global Expansion
The announcement follows AXA Global Healthcare’s recent market expansion in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signaling a sustained push into emerging high-growth territories. The firm’s strategy is to establish long-term partnerships with reputable regional insurers and brokers to expand its global footprint.
With Africa’s healthcare and insurance sectors both undergoing rapid transformation, industry players see partnerships such as the AXA–Old Mutual–EHS alliance as vital to delivering financially sustainable, accessible, and globally recognized health solutions.
As Kenya continues to strengthen its regulatory and institutional frameworks, the country appears poised to become a central hub for international private medical insurance in Africa — with the AXA collaboration marking an important step in that journey.
