Kenya Re taps 90 university students to develop AI flood risk tool

Kenya Re has partnered with 90 university students to build an AI‑driven flood‑risk assessment tool that will improve underwriting and claims handling across the insurer’s portfolio. The initiative, announced by Capital FM Africa, aims to harness fresh talent and cutting‑edge machine learning to map flood exposure more accurately. Source.

Kenya angle

For Kenyan agribusinesses, the tool could translate into faster, data‑backed insurance decisions when flood risk threatens crops and livestock. Smallholder farmers who rely on weather‑sensitive commodities often face delayed payouts because traditional risk models lack local granularity. By integrating AI predictions that factor in real‑time satellite imagery, topography and historic flood patterns, Kenya Re can offer more precise premiums and quicker settlements, reducing cash‑flow gaps for farm operators.

What changes for Kenyan firms

Agribusinesses should start gathering high‑resolution field data - such as GPS‑tagged yield maps and drainage assessments - to feed the AI model when it becomes operational. Aligning internal risk registers with the forthcoming tool will enable firms to negotiate better terms with Kenya Re and to plan crop diversification or infrastructure upgrades before a flood event hits.

Background

Kenya Re, the country’s leading reinsurance house, has long been a key player in managing large‑scale natural catastrophe exposure for insurers across Africa. Floods remain one of the most costly perils, especially after the 2022 and 2023 rainy seasons that saw extensive damage to infrastructure and farmland in the Rift Valley and coastal regions. Traditional actuarial models rely heavily on historical loss data, which can be sparse or outdated for rapidly urbanising catchments.

To bridge this gap, Kenya Re launched a university‑collaboration programme earlier this year, inviting students from institutions such as the University of Nairobi, Strathmore University and Moi University. The 90‑strong cohort will work under the guidance of Kenya Re’s data science team, applying machine learning techniques to satellite and sensor data. The goal is to produce a prototype that can predict flood likelihood at a sub‑kilometre resolution, updating risk scores in near real time.

The partnership reflects a broader trend in Kenya’s tech ecosystem, where insurers and reinsurers are tapping academic talent to accelerate AI adoption. Similar initiatives have emerged in the banking sector, where student‑led hackathons have produced credit‑scoring models that incorporate mobile phone usage patterns. By involving students, Kenya Re not only gains fresh perspectives but also builds a pipeline of future AI professionals familiar with the insurance domain.

While the project is still in development, Kenya Re has indicated that the final tool will be integrated into its underwriting platform within the next 12 months. Once live, the AI engine will generate flood exposure maps that insurers can overlay on their client portfolios, allowing for dynamic premium adjustments and targeted risk mitigation advice. The insurer also plans to share aggregated insights with government agencies to support flood‑plain management and early‑warning systems.

Implications for other sectors

Beyond agribusiness, the AI flood‑risk tool could benefit SMEs operating in flood‑prone urban areas, such as informal traders in Nairobi’s low‑lying neighborhoods. Accurate risk scores enable these businesses to obtain affordable micro‑insurance, protecting inventory and premises. Schools located near riverbanks can also use the tool to inform infrastructure upgrades and emergency drills, ensuring student safety during extreme weather events.

Next steps for adopters

Businesses interested in leveraging the upcoming AI model should:

1. Conduct a baseline risk assessment using existing flood maps and identify data gaps.
2. Establish a data‑sharing protocol with Kenya Re, ensuring that field‑level information is anonymised and secure.
3. Pilot the AI outputs on a small portfolio segment to test pricing adjustments and claim turnaround times.

By taking these actions now, Kenyan firms can position themselves to benefit from faster, more accurate insurance services once the tool is released.

Questions about how this affects your business? Our WhatsApp is 0711 344 702.