NAIROBI, Kenya- Thomas Njeru, CEO and co-founder of Pula Advisors, has been named one of the TIME100 Next influential leaders.
This insurtech company is changing the game for smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America by offering cutting-edge agricultural insurance.
Njeru’s leadership has been pivotal in reshaping insurance for farmers in emerging markets, a feat that now earns him a spot on one of TIME’s most prestigious lists.
In an industry where risk often overshadows opportunity, Pula Advisors has emerged as a beacon of resilience for millions of farmers.
Njeru explains, “Agricultural insurance isn’t just about mitigating risk; it’s about empowering farmers to be resilient against disaster.” His words reflect Pula’s mission to support farmers in quickly bouncing back from catastrophic events like droughts and floods.
Thanks to Pula’s innovative Area Yield Index, farmers now have a safety net against these systemic risks. More than 15 million farmers across 19 countries, including Zambia and Zimbabwe, are benefiting from these groundbreaking insurance solutions.
The company has insured $2.22 billion in agricultural investments, helping farmers recover faster and reinvest, propelling long-term growth in rural markets.
Under Njeru’s leadership, insurance penetration in some regions has surged, particularly in countries like Zambia and Zimbabwe, where it has jumped from 3pc to nearly 40pc.
The Area Yield Index model is transforming agricultural insurance by offering protection from droughts, floods, and pest infestations, which have historically devastated crops and livelihoods.
This new approach is not only safeguarding farmers but is also attracting essential capital to rural markets, fueling economic growth.
Njeru envisions even bigger things on the horizon for Pula. “Our vision is to reach 100 million farmers, protect their livelihoods, and enable them to bounce back after a disaster and invest,” he said.
As markets mature, Pula plans to continue innovating, ensuring that smallholder farmers remain resilient in the face of unpredictable challenges.
