IDEO.org is kicking off a project in Nigeria, working with Hygeia (a local health insurance provider), EFInA (an organization Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access), and FETS (Funds & Electronic Transfer Solutions) to explore the use of mobile money towards micro health insurance solutions. 

Do you remember when you first learned about insurance? What was your initial reaction? Were you confused or uncertain if it would actually be worth the expense? Or maybe, you saw it as a welcomed sigh of relief after a car accident or lofty medical expense, when you knew that you were covered.

For this next round of projects, IDEO.org is headed to Nigeria partnering with Hygeia (a local health insurance provider), FETS (Funds & Electronic Transfer Solution, a local mobile money operator), and EFinA (Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access) to deliver low-cost, accessible health insurance to the the most far reaching communities of Nigeria. For many of Hygeia’s potential clients, individuals and families can’t afford to pay a yearly, or even monthly premium. But, IDEO.org is working closely with these partners to explore the use of mobile money towards insurance solutions. This way customers pay in small increments, without the hassle of paying for transport, going to the bank, and waiting in line.

Just like in the US, many people are cautious and wonder, will health insurance actually benefit them or is it a waste of money with a confusing set of parameters and regulations? Our role as human-centered designers will be to create a seamless experience for the end user, from messaging and education about the product to enrollment and long-term support. We will be thinking about how the supporting technologies (in this case mobile money) can be learned and used with ease, for both health insurance solutions and additional future applications.

In the words of one Nigerian women we spoke to during our first field visit, insurance is “a pool of money that you contribute to that supports those who are less fortunate. If you become the unfortunate one – then those that are more fortunate will have supported you.” This perspective says it all. We are already incredibly inspired by those we have talked to so far and look forward to better understanding the potential impact of this solution.