Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of joining the inaugural ICMIF Foundation Mutual Microinsurance Network Seminar in Manila, Philippines, followed by a memorable study visit to CARD MRI. It was a week full of learning, inspiration and warm connections, offering a chance to see first-hand how microinsurance can make a real difference in people’s lives.
The seminar brought together more than 100 participants from 39 mutual and cooperative organisations across 14 countries. But beyond the numbers, what stood out most was the spirit in the room: people openly sharing ideas, challenges, lessons and encouragement, all with a common purpose of finding better ways to protect underserved communities.
It was also meaningful to see distinguished leaders recognised for the role they have played in shaping microinsurance around the world, including Dr Alis Alip, Dr Nelson Kuria, Mr M.P. Vasilimali and Mr Yoy Banson. Their work has helped open the door to financial protection for millions of people who might otherwise have been left behind.
The presentations by Dr Alis Alip and Dr Nelson Kuria were especially inspiring. They reminded us that microinsurance is not built overnight. It takes patience, belief, strong leadership and, above all, a deep commitment to serving people with dignity.
Some of the most powerful moments came from the CARD MRI Nanays themselves. Hearing their stories brought the purpose of the whole week to life. Behind every product, process and partnership are families, livelihoods and communities that can be strengthened when protection is accessible and trusted.
A few lessons that stayed with me
There were many takeaways, but a few themes stayed with me in particular:
Leadership matters. The most successful programmes are guided by people who keep going, even when progress takes time.
Purpose keeps the work grounded. When members and communities remain at the centre, the impact becomes stronger and more meaningful.
Growth takes patience. Building trust, systems and scale is a journey, not a quick win.
Challenges are part of the learning. What matters is the willingness to adapt, improve and keep listening.
Sharing openly helps everyone move faster. One of the strengths of the mutual and cooperative movement is the generosity with which people share what has worked, what has not and what they are still learning.
Learning from CARD MRI
For many of us, the visit to CARD MRI was one of the most memorable parts of the week. Courtesy of the ICMIF Foundation, it was much more than a benchmarking exercise. It became an immersion into a culture that blends resilience, hospitality, humour and purpose into everyday life.
Of course, there was the unforgettable jeepney ride: perhaps the world’s most colourful classroom on wheels. If you have never squeezed into one, imagine public transport where personal space feels more like a shared understanding than a fixed rule. Yet somehow, everyone fits, everyone smiles and everyone gets to their destination. There is probably a microinsurance lesson hidden in that too: inclusion means making room for everyone.
Then we travelled to San Pablo, an area rich in history and one of the world’s great coconut-growing regions. The coconut tree offered a simple but powerful reminder: almost every part has a purpose. The water refreshes, the flesh nourishes, the shell becomes charcoal or crafts, the husk becomes fibre and the leaves become roofing. Nothing goes to waste.
It reminded me that microinsurance should aspire to be like a coconut: affordable, practical, versatile and valuable throughout a member’s life, not only when disaster strikes.
Then there is karaoke.
If there is one thing Filipinos love almost as much as serving people, it is singing. Karaoke is not just entertainment; it brings families, neighbours and communities together. What stayed with me is that nobody waits to be perfect before picking up the microphone.
Perhaps there is another lesson for our industry there: don’t wait for perfect conditions before engaging customers. Start the conversation. Keep improving. Build confidence together.
Above all, the highlight of the visit was experiencing the CARD MRI ecosystem: a family of 34 mutually reinforcing institutions that has transformed millions of lives through financial inclusion and microinsurance. It is not just an organisation; it is a movement with purpose.
So, what makes CARD MBA exceptionally successful in micro protection?
They live their values every day. These values are visible in their decisions, relationships and the way they serve members.
Their mission is more than a slogan. “Eradicate poverty” drives decisions, behaviours, and priorities.
They keep things simple. Simple products. Simple processes. Simple communication.
A deep focus on members. Every innovation begins and ends with improving people’s lives.
Visionary leadership that inspires people while remaining grounded in community realities.
A culture of innovation, learning and engagement that constantly adapts to changing needs.
Relentless investment in training, ensuring staff and members grow together.
Selflessness and collaboration, where success is measured by how many others succeed alongside you.
Fast claims settlement. In microinsurance, speed is not just efficiency; it is compassion. A claim paid quickly restores dignity, trust and hope.
As we left, I realised that some of the biggest lessons did not only come from the panel discussions or presentations.
Sometimes they came from a colourful jeepney.
Sometimes from a humble coconut.
And sometimes from a country where people are never too busy to welcome visitors, share a smile or sing together.
Strengthening the CIC–CARD MBA partnership
Another important moment during the week was the renewal of the partnership between CIC Insurance Group and CARD MBA for a further three years.
This partnership continues to create space for shared learning, exchange visits and practical exposure to proven microinsurance approaches. The lessons from CARD MBA are helping shape CIC’s microinsurance journey in Kenya, especially through the use of cooperative networks to reach more underserved communities.
Looking ahead to Nairobi
The week ended with a sense of excitement about what comes next: the next Mutual Microinsurance Network Seminar, which will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2027.
Nairobi will be a wonderful opportunity to continue the conversations started in Manila, while also shining a light on Kenya’s experience in financial inclusion, cooperative development and microinsurance innovation. It will bring an important African perspective to the network and create more space for learning between organisations working towards the same goal.
As we look ahead to welcoming delegates to Nairobi, the message from Manila feels very clear: when mutual and cooperative insurers come together with openness, purpose and a willingness to learn from one another, we can do so much more to protect and improve lives.
Karibu Kenya.
