UK flood intelligence specialist Previsico has announced its entry into the African market, beginning with South Africa, as part of its ongoing international expansion.
The company, which develops property-level flood forecasting technology based on peer-reviewed research from Loughborough University, is launching the initiative with support from a grant provided by the InsuResilience Investment Fund, managed by Blue Orchard Finance Ltd.
Tthe expansion builds on its existing presence across the UK, Europe and the Americas and will introduce its flood forecasting capabilities to areas where access to advanced insurance and risk management tools has historically been limited. South Africa has been identified as the first market because of its high exposure to flooding and the opportunity to improve resilience through earlier warning and better risk information.
Annual global flood losses are expected to reach USD $850 billion by 2050, increasing the need for more accurate forecasting. Its proprietary live hydrodynamic modelling combines high-resolution LiDAR data, drainage network information, land use mapping and real-time weather data, with validation provided by an Internet of Things (IoT) sensor network. According to Previsico, the system can provide flood warnings for individual properties up to 48 hours before an event.
Previsico said its technology is currently used by insurers including Zurich and Liberty, brokers Marsh and Lockton, and around 200 corporate organisations worldwide.
As part of the rollout, Previsico completed the first phase of the South African programme during the first half of 2026, successfully delivering proof-of-concept projects in Durban. The company said the second phase, launching this month, will extend coverage to the Cape, Johannesburg and other locations identified as being at elevated flood risk, with a nationwide deployment planned as the programme develops.
“Having grown up in KwaZulu-Natal, I’ve seen what flooding does to communities without proper warning systems. Bringing Previsico to South Africa is more than a market expansion, it’s a chance to bring flood intelligence to those who need it most. I’m proud South Africa is where our emerging markets journey begins, as a natural next step in our international growth,” said Craig Deacon, CFO of Previsico.
Richard Hardy, Head of Private Equity Africa at Blue Orchard, added: “Capital alone won’t close the insurance protection gap in emerging markets. Building resilience requires advanced data and predictive technology. Previsico’s flood intelligence equips insurers and communities in South Africa with actionable insights that were previously unavailable.”
Previsico said the South African launch represents the latest stage of its international growth strategy. By extending its flood intelligence platform into emerging markets, the company aims to make its forecasting technology available in regions where earlier flood warnings and improved risk management could help reduce the impact of severe weather on communities, businesses and insurers.
