Turaco, a leading microinsurance and technology company, has announced the promotion of Cedrick Todwell to Chief Commercial Officer, Africa, effective 1 October 2026, as it strengthens its leadership to accelerate commercial growth, deepen partnerships and expand across the continent.
Todwell, who joined Turaco in 2024, has played a key role in the company’s commercial growth over the past two years, particularly across East Africa.
Working with Turaco’s leadership and country teams, he has contributed to revenue growth, increased market share and partnerships with banks, microfinance institutions, fintech companies and other distributors.
Commenting on his promotion, Todwell said: “I am deeply grateful to Turaco’s Board and Management for the confidence they have placed in me. The past two years have been an incredible journey, and I have had the privilege of working alongside exceptional colleagues and partners who share our vision of making insurance accessible to everyone.”
“Our growth has been a collective achievement, driven by passionate teams, supportive partners and a shared commitment to serving our customers better.
“As we enter this next chapter, my focus will be on strengthening our existing businesses, accelerating growth across Africa and building strategic partnerships that create lasting value,” he added.
Todwell emphasized that he is particularly excited about how technology and artificial intelligence are helping the company reimagine the insurance experience.
“For too long, many Africans have viewed insurance as complicated, expensive or unreliable. We have an opportunity to change that perception by making insurance simpler, more accessible and delivering on our promises when customers need us most,” he explained.
Eight Million People Reached Through Strategic Partnerships
Central to Turaco’s progress is its partnership-driven business model, which has enabled the company to reach more than eight million people with affordable insurance solutions. Through collaborations with like-minded organisations including M-KOPA, Absa, ASA International, Vision Fund, Opportunity Bank, Advans, Safaricom, Airtel, dfcu Bank, Moniepoint and One Acre Fund, among others, Turaco is extending financial protection to underserved individuals,
families and small businesses.
Spanning banking, microfinance, telecommunications and digital financial services, these partnerships embed insurance into products customers already use, helping overcome barriers to traditional insurance adoption.
Redefining Insurance Through Artificial Intelligence
Turaco is integrating artificial intelligence into the customer journey, from onboarding and engagement to claims assessment and processing, with the aim of delivering simpler, faster and more responsive experiences.
Combining AI-enabled workflows, automation and human-centred support helps the company improve service efficiency while staying close to customers at the moment of claim.
For Turaco, technology is about more than operational efficiency: it is a way to challenge the perception that insurance is complex or unreliable and to build trust through accessible products, transparent service and dependable claims experiences.
Expanding Across Africa and Asia
Over the past two years, Turaco has strengthened its presence in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana, expanded into Zambia and Tanzania, and advanced opportunities in Rwanda.
It has also entered Asia through Pakistan in 2026, an important milestone in its international growth strategy.
The company is developing its underwriting capabilities, with licensed operations in Kenya and Uganda and a recently secured microinsurance underwriting licence in Nigeria. Turaco is targeting launches in two additional African underwriting markets by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Recognition for Innovation and Growth
In June 2026, Turaco won Innovation of the Year at the African Insurance Awards organised by Africa Re in Cairo, recognising its approach to embedded insurance and the ASA LifeCare product.
It was also ranked 29th in Africa and second among Kenyan companies in the Financial Times’ Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026. These distinctions reflect the combined efforts of its people, partners and leadership.
Strengthening Leadership for the Next Phase
In his new role, Todwell will oversee Turaco’s commercial strategy across Africa, focusing on revenue growth, market share, stronger partnerships, high-performing country teams, sustainable business units and new market opportunities.
Commenting on the appointment, Ted Pantone, Co-founder and CEO of Turaco, said: “Cedrick’s promotion reflects both the significant contribution he has made to Turaco’s commercial growth over the past two years and our ambition for the next phase of the business. He has played an important role in strengthening our partnerships, growing our presence across East Africa and helping position Turaco for expansion into new markets.”
“We are excited to have Cedrick take on this expanded responsibility and work alongside our country teams and partners to accelerate growth while remaining focused on what matters most: delivering insurance that genuinely improves people’s lives,” he added.
Advancing the Mission to Insure One Billion People
With a growing geographic footprint, strengthened underwriting capabilities and continued investment in AI and technology, Turaco remains focused on its mission to insure one billion people globally.
Its embedded model brings affordable life, health and asset insurance into everyday financial services, backed by customer care and effective claims settlement.
