The project is a partnership between CIC Life, MicroInsurance Services Ltd., and VisionFund Malawi that aims to provide health insurance to women and their families in rural areas of Malawi.  

In Malawi's rural areas, access to healthcare is a significant challenge. Poor infrastructure makes rural areas hard to access and the perception that insurance is a luxury only applicable to well-off households, combined with limited financial resources, often deters individuals in these communities from seeking insurance services in urban areas. With 86% of Malawi's rural population (approximately 20 million people) living on less than $3 per day, these communities are highly vulnerable to health-related risks with little to no financial safety net.

Lack of awareness and financial literacy are also major challenges. To address this, the project aims to enhance financial education as a precursor to introducing the Abwenzi Rural Health Insurance product. This comprehensive, hospital cash microinsurance product is designed to provide cash benefits to subscribers in the event of hospitalisation, personal accident injuries, maternity/childbirth, and outpatient visits.

The primary beneficiaries of this project are the residents of rural communities in Malawi who are currently underserved by traditional insurance offerings. The project targets women and their families residing in these areas, aiming to reach and provide coverage for 100,000 members of households through 50,000 policies.

Women in Malawi are responsible for nursing the sick, caring for the disabled, providing outpatient care for malaria cases, and collecting food assistance from their neighbours at the time of a funeral. Poor families also have limited resources to prepare for an oncoming baby. The product will provide the policyholder with financial assistance, easing the financial burden for women.