Planet Labs PBC, a leading provider of daily Earth data and insights, announced today the renewal of its contract with ZEP-RE, an African reinsurance company based in Nairobi, Kenya. This agreement marks the continuation of a successful partnership aimed at improving drought risk management in the Horn of Africa (HOA).
The renewed collaboration, which will extend over five years until October 2027, leverages Planet’s advanced insurance solutions to support ZEP-RE’s efforts in mitigating the impacts of drought.
“Drought poses a significant threat not only to the health and well-being of livestock in the HOA but also to the livelihoods of communities, affecting their economic stability, social cohesion, and overall quality of life,” stated Berend de Jong, Global Insurance & Finance Lead at Planet. “Our data is a unique and powerful tool for ZEP-RE, enabling them to create and implement insurance programs that protect the livelihoods of pastoralists in these vulnerable regions. Our satellite network ensures continuous data service, fostering transparency and trust among all partners. We are eager to expand this critical work together.”
Currently, ZEP-RE utilizes Planet’s solutions to extend its insurance program, benefiting over two million pastoralists affected by drought in the HOA. A location-specific drought index determines payout amounts and premium rates, facilitating direct claims payments to the pastoralists. The program, initially targeting 1.6 million pastoralists by its fifth year, achieved this goal by its second year.
ZEP-RE employs Planet’s satellite data and reporting to monitor vegetation health across more than 1,000,000 km² in the Horn of Africa. This data allows ZEP-RE to objectively assess conditions, measure drought severity, and promptly compensate affected pastoralists during drought events.
“Since our partnership began, we have been impressed by the resilience and scope of Planet’s dataset,” said Hope Murera, CEO of ZEP-RE. “With near-daily data availability, we can track shifting NDVI values with high frequency, making our payouts more efficient and better serving these vulnerable communities impacted by drought.”
The partnership between ZEP-RE and Planet began in October 2022 through the DRIVE program. This initiative aims to improve pastoralists’ access to financial services for drought risk management, integrate them into value chains, and facilitate livestock trade.
