Bold strategy

AXA plans to invest $84 million in one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies – Africa Internet Group – in a deal that will give the insurer an 8% stake and make it one of AIG’s four largest shareholders alongside Africa’s biggest mobile-phone company, MTN Group, Millicom International Cellular and Rocket Internet. Bottom Line: product meets infrastructure. Think: AXA is ensuring customers in developing countries have access to its products by partnering with telecom and startups that have the infrastructure needed to offer microinsurance products.