The 40th Global Leaders Programme (GLP)—GIFT’s first in Sri Lanka—challenged participants to design a robust micro-insurance business plan for LOLC Group, the country’s leading micro-credit provider. With over half of Sri Lanka’s population (10–13 million people) lacking affordable insurance, LOLC sought innovative ways to extend financial protection to low-income communities while ensuring commercial viability.
Globally, micro-insurance—defined by Allianz as coverage with premiums under US$2.5/month—represents a market of 2.7 billion people and US$40 billion in potential annual premiums. For the poor, it is a lifeline against unexpected shocks; for forward-thinking businesses, it is a vast growth opportunity.
The GLP, GIFT’s flagship executive programme, stands out for its experiential, action-oriented approach. In Hong Kong, Module One pushed participants to challenge business orthodoxies through sessions like Chandran Nair’s Reshaping Capitalism and Eric Stryson’s The Role of Business in Society, alongside insights from senior leaders such as David Eldon (former HSBC CEO) and Zoher Abdoolcarim (Time Asia).
Module Two took the cohort to Sri Lanka for on-the-ground engagement with LOLC executives, regulators, NGOs, and micro-credit clients in Kandy. Field interviews with agricultural workers and migrant families highlighted urgent needs but also barriers such as restrictive agent certification and products misaligned with rural realities.
Drawing on these insights, participants proposed bundled solutions (e.g., linking insurance to remittances or farm inputs) and policy reforms to expand agent networks. LOLC’s Group Managing Director pledged to pursue these recommendations.
Beyond the deliverables, the programme exemplified transformative leadership development. By grappling with real-world constraints and diverse perspectives from 11 countries—including HSBC, ORIX, Maybank, and Robeco—participants strengthened their ability to design businesses that serve both profit and purpose. The Sri Lanka GLP demonstrated how executive education can bridge theory and practice, equipping leaders to advance financial inclusion at scale.