A week in Turin: lessons learnt from the Impact Insurance Academy 2026
By Paula Martínez Haro (Comisión Nacional de Seguros y Fianzas (CNSF)).
The National Insurance and Surety Commission (CNSF) is the Mexican government body responsible for supervising and regulating the insurance and surety sector. Thanks to the support of the Microinsurance Network, I had the opportunity to take part in the Impact Insurance Academy 2026, organised by the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) and the Impact Insurance Facility, from 20 to 24 April in Turin, Italy.
Taking part in the Impact Insurance Academy 2026 was an extremely enriching experience, both professionally and personally. The academy brought together representatives from supervisory authorities, insurers, international organisations and other stakeholders in the insurance sector, creating a highly valuable space for the exchange of experiences, challenges, trends and best practices.
A global perspective on inclusive insurance
One of the most valuable aspects of this experience was the opportunity to exchange perspectives with participants from different regions of the world and learn about practical case studies on how various markets have driven initiatives aimed at expanding access to financial protection mechanisms. Hearing about different experiences allowed me to identify common challenges, but also to gain first-hand knowledge of innovative solutions and best practices that have demonstrated positive results in diverse contexts. Furthermore, during the academy, various international case studies focusing on insurance for micro and small enterprises were analysed, several of which were set in African and Asian contexts. One of the examples that most caught my attention was the case of SA Taxi in South Africa, an initiative focused on minibus operators and taxi drivers who had historically faced barriers to accessing both finance and traditional insurance. It was particularly interesting to see how, through the use of technology, data analysis and partnerships with stakeholders within the transport sector itself, it was possible to develop solutions that were more accessible and tailored to the real needs of these small operators.
Personally, I believe that one of the key lessons was reaffirming the importance of designing solutions centred on people’s real needs, especially those in sectors that have historically faced greater barriers to accessing insurance products. Throughout the sessions, I reflected on the potential of inclusive insurance to broaden access to financial protection mechanisms and contribute to greater economic stability for sectors historically excluded from the insurance market.
Lessons for my work in Mexico
Furthermore, several of the discussions held during the academy allowed me to reflect on the importance of strengthening alternative and solidarity-based mechanisms of financial protection for populations historically excluded from the traditional insurance sector. In particular, it was very interesting to learn about experiences linked to community health and protection initiatives, such as a case presented by participants from Vietnam concerning strategies to mitigate the economic impact of dengue fever, where the potential of mutual societies as a complementary mechanism for financial protection was discussed. Such reflections are particularly relevant in the Mexican context, given that the National Policy on Financial Inclusion’s lines of action include strengthening institutions such as insurance funds, mutual societies and mutuals, through the development of accessible and solidarity-based mechanisms for financial protection.
Networks that extend beyond the classroom
In addition to the technical content, one of the aspects I valued most about this experience was the opportunity to forge links and collaborative networks with professionals from different countries working towards similar objectives. I believe that such exchanges are essential for continuing to strengthen the development of more inclusive, accessible and sustainable insurance markets.
On a personal level, I believe this experience also represented a very significant opportunity to enhance my professional development and continue to cultivate a more comprehensive understanding of the role of inclusive insurance within strategies for financial inclusion and resilience in my country, Mexico.
Finally, I would like to thank the Microinsurance Network and its network of members for facilitating my participation as a representative of the CNSF in this experience, as well as for promoting initiatives of this kind that foster the exchange of knowledge and capacity-building in the field of inclusive insurance at an international level.
I hope that initiatives such as these will continue to create opportunities for regulators, insurers and other stakeholders in Latin America and the Caribbean to share lessons learnt, questions and experiences. I remain convinced that it is only through constant dialogue and collaboration between the various stakeholders in the ecosystem that we will be able to build truly inclusive insurance markets in our region.
Paula Martínez Haro holds a degree in International Relations and has more than eight years of professional experience in Mexico’s public sector in areas related to international affairs, international cooperation, institutional liaison, and public policy. Her career has focused on strengthening collaboration and coordination mechanisms between national and international stakeholders, including the development and monitoring of cooperation instruments, the preparation of technical documents, and the analysis of sector trends to support dialogue processes, institutional coordination, and decision-making.
She has worked with international organisations and legislative bodies, strengthening an interdisciplinary perspective on governance, cooperation, and inter-institutional development. She currently serves as Deputy Director of International Affairs and Outreach at the National Insurance and Bonding Commission (CNSF), where, among her key responsibilities, she participates in monitoring the implementation of CNSF action lines under the National Financial Inclusion Policy of the Government of Mexico.
