Nigerian insurtech startup, Goziri, has launched a new mobile-first platform designed to simplify access to health insurance for underserved Nigerians, especially those in rural and low-income communities.
Announced in a company statement this week, the platform allows users to sign up for health insurance, manage their policies, and submit claims entirely through a mobile interface.
According to the company, the app works even in areas with poor internet access, making it particularly beneficial for remote and peri-urban regions.
“With a mission rooted in accessibility, transparency, and digital innovation, the company aims to close the coverage gap for millions, one mobile signup at a time,” the startup said.
What You Should Know
What sets Goziri apart is its inclusive insurance model, with flexible plans tailored specifically for students, retirees, low-income families, small business owners, and farming communities.
“Whether you’re a student pursuing higher education, a family nurturing well-being, or a business seeking comprehensive health coverage for your employees, Goziri Insurance Brokerage Limited is here to guide you,” it said.
According to the company, users can choose from a variety of affordable health plans designed to cover routine check-ups, hospital stays, chronic disease management, and maternal health services.
It added that premiums can be paid weekly, monthly, or annually, and integration with local payment methods, including USSD and agency banking, means even unbanked individuals can enrol.
Founded by Chigozie Bless Okeke (CEO) and Theophilus Ukuyoma (CTO), the startup has also partnered with licensed insurance underwriters to ensure regulatory compliance and risk management while keeping the experience fully digital.
The duo believes that user empathy, local design, and strategic partnerships will be key to scaling their solution across Nigeria, and eventually into neighbouring African countries.
What This Means
Despite its population of over 200 million people, Nigeria has one of the lowest insurance penetration rates in the world.
According to a 2024 report by Statista, the country’s insurance penetration stands at a meagre 0.4% of GDP, far below the African average of 2.8% and the global average of 7.2%.
In this context, Goziri’s digital-first approach, according to industry experts, offers a practical solution to longstanding issues in affordability, awareness, and reach.
Competitors in the Insurtech Space
Goziri enters a space that is rapidly attracting attention, investment, and innovation. Nigeria’s insurtech ecosystem has seen the rise of several startups including Curacel, Casava, Octamile, and MyCover.ai.
While these platforms focus either on back-end APIs, embedded insurance, or subscription models, experts say Goziri is carving a niche in direct-to-user health insurance access, particularly targeting low-income, rural, and unbanked populations.
According to industry leaders, several systemic issues hinder insurance uptake in Nigeria. Low financial literacy, infrastructural deficits, cultural perceptions about insurance, and the tedious paperwork-heavy enrollment process discourages Nigerians from participating.
Experts say Goziri’s app addresses these problems. By allowing users to purchase coverage, access policy documents, and file claims directly from their phones, the platform significantly reduces friction in the onboarding process.
Talking Points
Goziri’s mobile-first approach to health insurance is timely and important, addressing one of the biggest challenges in Nigeria’s insurance sector, which is accessibility for rural and underserved populations.
Its offline-friendly functionality is a standout feature, enabling users in low-connectivity areas to enrol and manage insurance plans without the limitations of unreliable internet. This technical choice alone signals a deep understanding of Nigeria’s infrastructure realities.
At Techparley, we see this as a pivotal development in Nigeria’s broader financial inclusion agenda. By removing paperwork, simplifying claims, and reducing friction in signups, Goziri could shift public perception of insurance from a bureaucratic burden to a trusted safety net.
The fact that Goziri is building tailored plans for informal workers, students, small business owners, and farming communities suggests a strong commitment to serving those who have long been ignored by traditional insurance models.
However, success won’t only rest on technology. Adoption will depend on how well Goziri invests in user education, local partnerships, and affordability, especially for price-sensitive demographics.
To deepen its footprint, strategic partnerships with microfinance banks, trade unions, health centres, and religious institutions could provide the localised trust and distribution networks needed to scale.
With the right support, Goziri has the potential to become a defining case study in how digital innovation can close the insurance coverage gap, not just in Nigeria, but across emerging markets.
