Thomas Njeru, CEO and co-founder of Pula Advisors, an insurtech company that provides insurance for smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, has been included in the TIME100 Next Influential Leaders list.

The list is an expansion of the TIME100, which recognizes the most influential people globally, highlighting 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future across various sectors, including business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science, and activism.

“I’m honored to be recognized by TIME. Agricultural insurance isn’t just about mitigating risk, it’s about empowering farmers to be resilient against disaster,” Thomas said.

“Where droughts once set farmers back for years, our solutions now allow them to recover and reinvest almost immediately.”

Under Njeru’s leadership, Pula has redefined agricultural insurance in emerging markets, providing crucial protection to over 15 million farmers and insuring $2.22 billion in agricultural investments across 19 countries.

Pula’s innovative Area Yield Index protects farmers against systemic risks such as droughts, floods, and pest infestations, which can devastate crops and livelihoods.

This model of agricultural insurance has not only safeguarded millions of farmers but also attracted essential capital into rural markets, fueling long-term growth.

In regions like Zambia and Zimbabwe, insurance penetration has surged from just 3 percent to nearly 40 percent. Njeru envisions this trend continuing as Pula’s markets mature.

“Our vision is to reach 100 million farmers, protect their livelihoods enabling to bounce back after a disaster and invest.” said Thomas, adding this will be achieved through cutting-edge technology to reduce payout times, insure farmers against a wide range of climate risks, deliver data-driven advisory services, and attract further investment into the agricultural sector.