AXA Global Healthcare just locked in a three way collaboration with Old Mutual General Insurance Kenya and Executive Healthcare Solutions, aiming to strengthen its footprint in Africa’s international private medical insurance market.
The move blends AXA’s global healthcare standards with Old Mutual’s regional know how and EHS’s distribution reach.
According to Beinsure, the point is simple: global grade cover with local compliance baked in.
Under the deal, Old Mutual will underwrite all AXA Global Healthcare policies in Kenya. EHS becomes the exclusive distributor of AXA’s Global Executive Health Plan, which targets individuals and SMEs that need broad regional and international health cover.
The partnership also triggers a transfer of EHS’s existing IPMI book across several African markets starting 1 August 2025.
That shift effectively consolidates a chunk of the region’s international health business under AXA’s orbit.
AXA Global Healthcare and EHS will also co serve new clients in selected markets. That setup gives them a joint runway to grow IPMI demand in East Africa, where cross border workforces and rising corporate mobility keep pushing employers toward international coverage.
Clients get global level services but still benefit from local underwriting rules and regional market knowledge. A hybrid model, but a practical one.
Karim Idilby, chief growth officer at AXA Health International, called the partnership a major step in the company’s global strategy and long term commitment to Africa.
He said Old Mutual’s position in Kenya and across the continent makes it the right partner, especially as AXA targets the Individuals and SMEs segments that fuel most IPMI growth.
Our goal is to become the leading player in East Africa’s IPMI market – and this dual collaboration gives us the perfect platform to achieve that.
Andy O’Cain, global head of distribution, AXA Health International
“Following our successful partnership with Daman Insurance, the unrivalled market leader in domestic health insurance in the UAE – the world’s second largest international health insurance market – we continue building relationships with market leaders,” Andy O’Cain said.
Andy O’Cain, who leads global distribution for AXA Health International, said the goal is to become East Africa’s top IPMI player. He pointed to AXA’s partnership with Daman Insurance in the UAE as proof the model works. That market is huge, and AXA wants to replicate the momentum.
AXA’s move fits a broader trend: global insurers pairing with regional leaders to scale faster in markets where regulatory terrain, distribution culture, and medical networks are nuanced enough to trip up outsiders.
According to our analysts, Africa’s IPMI space keeps getting more competitive, and this partnership signals AXA wants to lead the next cycle, not chase it.
EHS CEO Aly Maherali said the company’s 25 years in Sub Saharan Africa give it a clear view of what clients expect from international health cover.
He said the exclusive partnership with AXA lets EHS offer solutions anchored by a global brand, giving clients confidence as they deal with complex health systems across borders. He framed the collaboration as part of a larger mission to rethink global healthcare access in Africa.
