Nairobi — Prudential Assurance has unveiled plans to recruit and train more than 5,000 sales agents in Kenya over the next five years, expanding its agent network fivefold from the current 1,000.

The move aims to deepen market reach and tackle youth unemployment by creating structured career paths in the insurance industry.

The announcement was made during the launch of Prudential's new branch at Nairobi's Nation Centre, following a recent expansion into Bungoma.

The company says the recruitment drive is part of a long-term strategy to support job creation, promote financial inclusion, and strengthen its footprint in Kenya.

"We are proud to launch this office, which highlights our continued growth in the country and the region," said Gwen Kinisu, Prudential Kenya CEO and Managing Director.

"From here, we expect to reach more customers with our market-leading insurance products."

To support the rollout, Prudential has established the Prudential Academy, offering programs such as the Rookie Development Program and Leadership Development Program.

These aim to equip young agents with skills in customer engagement, financial planning, and needs-based selling.

Kenya's youth unemployment rate stands at approximately 67 percent, underscoring the urgency of employment-focused initiatives.

Prudential's drive also seeks to address the country's low insurance penetration, which was just 2.3 percent of GDP in 2022, according to the 2023 National Economic Survey -- far below the global average of 7 percent.

"Our goal is to develop a high-performing, self-driven sales force that reflects professionalism, agility, and customer focus," Kinisu added.

Prudential says the initiative reaffirms its mission to protect lives and be a partner for every future in Kenya's growing insurance market.