Bharti Airtel, a leading telecommunications company with operations in 17 countries across Africa, has announced that it has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with leading South African financial services group, Sanlam, for the distribution of insurance and health funding productsNAIROBI, Bharti Airtel a leading telecommunications company with operations in 17 countries across Africa, has announced that it has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with leading South African financial services group, Sanlam, for the distribution of insurance and health funding products.This agreement covers seven African countries, on a non- exclusive basis, in which both companies have a presence, namely Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi and Nigeria. The agreement is aimed at enhancing value for Airtel customers and increasing access to insurance which will enable Sanlam to market and sell its Life, General and Health insurance products through Airtel’s extensive telecommunications networks in the seven countries. Commenting on the transaction Chidi Okpala, Airtel’s Director & Africa Head, Airtel Money, said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Sanlam on this exciting initiative. This will offer our customers in Africa access to a broad range of sophisticated products and services to support their lifestyles and aspirations, and this partnership will enable us to significantly enhance the value we offer our loyal customers,”.He adds; "Our customers stand to benefit from access to Sanlam’s world-class Life, General and Health Insurance products.”Margaret Dawes, Executive Director for Africa at Sanlam Emerging Markets, echoes these sentiments.  "We are passionate about supplying sound financial solutions to the wider African market and are delighted by this opportunity to provide our services and solutions through Airtel’s network.  We look forward to providing competitive products that meet the client’s needs – drawing on our collective years of experience and research in these markets.”Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading integrated telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, with headquartered in New Delhi, India.