Every day, thousands of Kenya’s digital entrepreneurs power the country’s growing online economy from home offices, small studios, and neighbourhood shops. They create content, run online stores, manage digital payments, and build brands, often wearing multiple hats as marketer, accountant, customer service representative, and business owner.
Yet, while many invest heavily in growing their ventures, few give equal attention to protecting them against unexpected risks
Speaking on Tuesday, during an interview on X Space hosted by Citizen digital, NCBA Insurance Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Stella Njung’e called on SMEs, content creators and online businesses to embrace insurance as a strategic tool for business continuity in the digital age.
Njung’e said the nature of entrepreneurship has changed significantly, with digital businesses now facing risks that extend beyond traditional concerns such as fire and theft to include cyberattacks, data breaches, travel disruptions and loss of expensive digital equipment.
She noted that NCBA Insurance has designed SME insurance solutions that grow alongside businesses. Start-ups and small enterprises can begin with affordable pre-rated insurance products that offer essential protection based on turnover and operational size. As businesses expand, they can transition to a tailored SME insurance package offering up to 17 different areas of coverage.
The cover allows entrepreneurs to protect stock, electronic equipment, shop premises, cash, fire, burglary, theft, and other business assets through one integrated policy instead of seeking separate quotations from multiple insurance departments.
To make insurance more affordable, NCBA Insurance also offers Insurance Premium Financing (IPF), allowing business owners to spread premium payments over ten months while enjoying full cover from the beginning of the policy.
With digital businesses increasingly relying on technology, Njung’e described cyber insurance as one of the fastest-growing needs for entrepreneurs.
“A business can lose days of operations if its systems are hacked. Cyber insurance ensures businesses receive immediate technical support to recover quickly and minimise financial losses,” she said.
NCBA’s cyber insurance provides access to a 24-hour emergency response hotline, cyber forensic specialists who investigate attacks, legal experts to handle potential lawsuits arising from data breaches, and support in meeting regulatory reporting requirements under Kenya’s data protection framework.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of travel insurance for entrepreneurs and content creators who frequently travel for business meetings, conferences, and brand partnerships.
According to Njung’e, travel insurance covers medical emergencies, flight delays, cancelled flights, lost or damaged luggage, accommodation costs during extended delays and emergency medical treatment abroad, giving travellers peace of mind while pursuing business opportunities.
She further encouraged entrepreneurs to protect themselves through personal accident insurance, noting that the business owner remains the most valuable asset in any enterprise. Personal accident cover provides financial compensation in the event of injury, temporary or permanent disability, or death resulting from an accident.
For home-based creators, she recommended domestic insurance to protect cameras, computers, lighting equipment, microphones, and other production tools, while businesses operating from commercial premises should consider dedicated SME insurance packages.
Njung’e urged entrepreneurs to treat insurance as an investment rather than a cost and to work with reputable insurers that have a strong claims settlement record.
“You have invested time, money, and ambition into building your business. Protect that investment, grow your insurance as your business grows, and prepare for the unexpected. Business continuity starts with being protected,” she said
