Bupa Global has opened its first office in Africa in Nairobi, Kenya following the acquisition of an approval and insurance license from the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) of Kenya.

The international private medical insurance (IPMI) provider picked Kenya, which is East Africa’s largest economy, due to her key growth market in Bupa Global’s IPMI strategy.

Kenya’s health insurance market grew from $1.42 billion in 2022 to $2.77 billion in 2024 is projected to nearly double in size by 2030 when she aims to achieve middle-income status.

The new Nairobi office is expected to hire a local team and non-executive directors to enable Bupa Global to meet the needs of its brokers, customers and the Kenyan market.

New CEO and Principal Officer Uditha Jayaratne will spearhead the local office with experts identifying Kenya and larger Sub-Saharan Africa as leading regions of potential IPMI growth.

Bupa Global Managing Director Anthony Cabrelli admitted that Kenya was a significant market for the UK-headquartered company and a doorway for it expansion across Africa.

“With a local office and continued investments in digital capabilities, we’re creating an ecosystem that makes world-class healthcare more accessible across the region,” said Cabrelli.

Bupa Global is banking on Kenya’s Vision 2030 that prioritizes access to quality healthcare, and the Social Health Insurance Act that pushes for Universal Health Coverage for growth.

The Nairobi office aims to use innovative digital tools and offer a variety of international health insurance solution designed for individuals, SMEs, expatriates and corporates.

On his part, Bupa Global Kenya CEO and Principal Officer Uditha Jayaratne intimated that the opening of the Nairobi office was testament to the firm’s determination to succeed.

He stated: “With a local team on the ground and strong partnerships with local providers and intermediaries, we can offer care that really meets people’s needs.”

In 2023, Bupa Global committed £55 million (about Sh9.2 billion) over five years to enhance its digital capabilities as it seeks to offer convenient and affordable insurance across Africa.

Bupa Global, originally named the British United Provident Association (BUPA), was founded in April 1947 in the UK with the aim of “preventing, relieving, and curing sickness and ill health of every kind.”