VEON’s Jazz Launches FikrFree: An AI-Powered Digital Marketplace to Unlock Affordable Insurance and Healthcare in Pakistan

Rhea-AI Summary

VEON's subsidiary Jazz launches FikrFree, an AI-powered digital marketplace for insurance and healthcare in Pakistan. The platform addresses Pakistan's low insurance penetration rate (less than 1% of GDP) by offering personalized insurance plans and healthcare services through a mobile app. FikrFree features flexible payment options, streamlined claims processing with 36-hour payouts, and AI-driven insurance recommendations.

The service complements Jazz's existing digital portfolio, including Tamasha (18M MAUs), JazzCash (17.7M MAUs), and SIMOSA (15.2M MAUs) in 2Q24. This initiative aligns with VEON's Digital Operator 1440 strategy, with direct digital revenues representing over 10% of VEON Group's total revenues.

Positive

• Launch of new revenue stream through digital healthcare and insurance marketplace
• Expansion into underserved market with less than 1% insurance penetration
• Digital services contribute over 10% of VEON Group's total revenues
• Strong existing digital user base across platforms (Tamasha: 18M MAUs, JazzCash: 17.7M MAUs)

Negative

• None.

Insights

Digital Technology Analyst

The launch of FikrFree represents a significant digital transformation initiative in Pakistan's healthcare and insurance sectors. The platform's AI-powered personalization and integration of multiple services (insurance, healthcare, payments) demonstrates strong execution of VEON's Digital Operator 1440 strategy. With direct digital revenues already exceeding 10% of total revenues, this launch strengthens VEON's digital ecosystem alongside successful platforms like Tamasha (18M MAUs), JazzCash (17.7M MAUs) and SIMOSA (15.2M MAUs).

The market opportunity is substantial, given Pakistan's insurance penetration of less than 1% GDP compared to 7% in the US and 9% in the UK. The platform's innovative features, including micro-insurance and 36-hour claim processing, address key market barriers and position VEON to capture significant market share in this underserved segment.

Market Research Analyst

This strategic move into Pakistan's healthcare sector presents a compelling growth opportunity. With a population exceeding 220 million and severely insurance penetration, FikrFree addresses a critical market gap. The platform's integration with VEON's existing digital ecosystem, particularly JazzCash's fintech infrastructure, creates powerful synergies for user acquisition and retention.

The pay-as-you-go model and micro-insurance options are particularly well-suited for Pakistan's economic demographics, potentially driving rapid adoption among the uninsured population. VEON's track record with digital services in Pakistan, demonstrated by the strong MAU figures across their portfolio, suggests they have the local market understanding and distribution capabilities to scale this new offering effectively.

Amsterdam and Dubai, 24 October 2024: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator (“VEON” or the “Company”), today announces that Jazz, its digital operator in Pakistan, has launched FikrFree, a new AI-powered digital marketplace for insurance and healthcare. The platform aims to bridge a significant gap in Pakistan, where insurance sector penetration is less than 1% of GDP according to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, and millions lack access to essential healthcare. In comparison, insurance penetration in other countries is significantly higher (over 7% of GDP in the US and more than 9% of GDP in the UK, according to the World Bank). FikrFree helps users find accessible and affordable coverage through personalized insurance plans and healthcare services.

FikrFree aims to reach the underserved healthcare market in Pakistan through an innovative platform that seamlessly integrates insurance, healthcare, and financial services all in one mobile app. FikrFree also leverages artificial intelligence to recommend personalized insurance plans for customers. The new digital service builds on VEON’s commitment to creating innovative digital solutions as part of its Digital Operator 1440 strategy, offering customers a portfolio of connected services that are relevant for each of the 1,440 minutes in a day. In 2Q24, direct digital revenues represented over 10% of VEON Group’s total revenues.

"Access to affordable healthcare is a fundamental need. In Pakistan, where millions struggle to find suitable insurance coverage and healthcare services, VEON is addressing this challenge with connected digital services. With the launch of FikrFree, we are empowering customers to access personalized insurance plans, specialist doctors, and on-demand medicine delivery—all in one seamless platform. Our digital operator strategy focuses on investing in services that enhance lives, and with FikrFree, we aim to make affordable healthcare accessible to all Pakistanis," says Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of VEON Group.

FikrFree provides affordable insurance options with flexible payment options, including a pay-as-you-go model and micro and nano-insurance policies, to help maximize access to healthcare. It also significantly streamlines claims processing, which has been a key barrier to entry for insurance services. Customers can now submit claims with just a few clicks and receive their payout from the insurance company within 36 hours, significantly reducing the stress of filling claims.

The launch of FikrFree builds on the success of Jazz’s existing digital services, including Pakistan’s leading digital entertainment platform Tamasha, which had 18 million monthly active users (MAUs) in 2Q24. Additionally, in 2Q24, JazzCash, Pakistan’s largest fintech platform had 17.7 million MAUs, and SIMOSA, Pakistan’s largest telecom and lifestyle hub had 15.2 million MAUs.

In other connected healthcare services, VEON's Kyivstar in Ukraine continues to develop Helsi Ukraine, with about 28 million registered users in Q224, while in Bangladesh, the MyBL super app, which served 8.1 million MAUs at the end of 2Q24, offers the Banglalink Health Hub.

About VEON
VEON is a digital operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers. Operating across six countries that are home to more than 7% of the world’s population, VEON is transforming lives through technology-driven services that empower individuals and drive economic growth. VEON is listed on Nasdaq and Euronext. For more information visit: www.veon.com

About Jazz

Jazz is Pakistan’s leading digital operator with over 71.4 million cellular subscribers and 63.3 million MAUs of digital services. Jazz offers the most extensive portfolio of digital services including JazzCash, Pakistan’s leading fintech; Garaj, the largest onshore cloud and cybersecurity platform; and Tamasha, Pakistan’s largest homegrown OTT video streaming and entertainment platform.

Disclaimer
This release contains “forward-looking statements,” as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and include statements relating to, among other things, VEON’s digital products and commercial plans. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which VEON cannot predict with accuracy and some of which VEON might not anticipate. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this release. VEON does not undertake to publicly update, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws, any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such dates or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact Information 

VEON  
Hande Asik 
Group Director of Communication 
pr@veon.com

MHP Group
Julian Tanner
julian.tanner@mhpgroup.com

Attachment

• Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim unveiled FikrFree, an AI-powered digital marketplace set to revolutionize access to affordable insurance and healthcare in Pakistan, at the VEON Management Strategy Workshop in Dubai.

FAQ

What is VEON's FikrFree platform and when was it launched?

FikrFree is an AI-powered digital marketplace launched by VEON's Jazz in Pakistan on October 24, 2024, offering personalized insurance plans and healthcare services through a mobile app.

What are the key features of VEON's FikrFree platform?

FikrFree features AI-powered insurance recommendations, flexible payment options including pay-as-you-go, micro and nano-insurance policies, and streamlined claims processing with 36-hour payouts.

How many monthly active users does VEON's Jazz have across its digital platforms in 2Q24?

In 2Q24, Jazz's digital platforms had: Tamasha with 18 million MAUs, JazzCash with 17.7 million MAUs, and SIMOSA with 15.2 million MAUs.