LISTEN TO THE BEST IN INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE FIELD Event Speakers
Dr Corneille KAREKEZI
Group Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re)
Dr Corneille KAREKEZI
Group Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re)
Prior to joining the reinsurance industry, the professional career of Dr. KAREKEZI started in 1991 with the primary insurance industry where he served practically in all the financial, marketing, technical and reinsurance departments at senior management levels of the leading insurance companies in Burundi and Rwanda, up to the position of CEO of SONARWA, the then insurance leader of Rwanda.
He joined the reinsurance industry, first as a Board Director of Africa Re Group for 3 years, and he fully joined the Group in 2009 as its Deputy MD/COO for 2 years before he rose to the current position of Group MD/CEO.
Dr. KAREKEZI holds various professional and academic certifications, diplomas, and degrees, awarded by prestigious institutions around the world, including a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, a Master’s Degree in Management, Postgraduate Diplomas in Business Administration, an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration, and an Earned Doctorate in Business Administration.
He speaks fluently English, French, Swahili, and some other African languages.
Since 1996, he has contributed significantly to the development of the insurance and reinsurance industries in Africa through his involvement and leadership in various national, regional, and continental initiatives and organizations. He has participated actively, as speaker, in seminars, conferences, symposia and other fora across the world, particularly on issues of insurance development and reduction of insurance protection gap, risk management for development, InsurTech, and in general on issues of economic development and leadership.
Dr. KAREKEZI has served as chair and/or member of governing bodies of various financial institutions and foundations in Africa and at the global stage. He is currently the Chairman of Africa Re (South Africa) Limited, Chairman of Africa Retakaful Company (Egypt), Member of the Executive Committee of the African Insurance Organization (AIO) where he chairs the Finance Committee, Chairman of the AIO Foundation, Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), Member of the Executive Council of the International Insurance Society (IIS) and Member of the Steering Committee of the Insurance Development Fund (IDF).
Dr Islam Azzam
Executive Chairman, Financial Regulatory Authority
Dr Islam Azzam
Executive Chairman, Financial Regulatory Authority
Dr. Islam Azzam is acting as the Executive Chairman of The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) in accordance with the Presidential decree No. 116 for the year 2026. He is also a Board Member at the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). Since April 2026, Dr. Islam was elected as the Chair of the International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO) Growth and Emerging Markets Committee (GEMC) and the Vice Chair of IOSCO Board.
Dr. Azzam has held numerous leadership positions, most notably serving as Executive Chairman of the Egyptian Exchange for a one-year term from August 2025 to March 2026, and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) from January 2021 to August 2025 during which he oversaw the capital market, insurance, and non-banking financial sectors.
He previously served as Advisor to the Chairman of the Mortgage Finance Authority from 2007 to 2009, and as Assistant to the Chairman of FRA from 2003 to 2005. He was also Managing Director of the SME Investment Fund “Bedaya” and Advisor to the Minister of Investment. Dr. Azzam began his career as an Economic Analyst in the Market Surveillance Department at the FRA.
Academically, Dr. Azzam is Professor of Finance at the American University in Cairo (AUC), where he chaired the Finance Department and the Graduate Studies Program in Finance from 2005 to 2021. He also served as Assistant Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Commerce, Suez Canal University; Visiting Professor of Finance at Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Visiting Professor of Finance at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, Egypt; Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University; Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics; and Lecturer of Economics at the University of California, Irvine, USA.
Dr. Azzam is a board member in several key institutions, including:
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Member of the Board of Trustees, Anti-Money Laundering & Counter Terrorist Financing Unit.
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Board Member and Chair of the Risk Committee, Egyptian Arab Land Bank.
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Member of the Board of Trustees, Egyptian Center for Voluntary Arbitration and Settlement of Non-Banking Financial Dispute
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Board Member, Rural Industries Support Fund.
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Board Member, Financial Services Institute.
He has also served on the boards of several big companies across different sectors, including; Board Member, Audit Committee Member, and Investment Committee Member, Misr Insurance Holding Company, Board Member, Dakahlia Sugar Company, Board Member, Egyptian Resorts Company, Board Member, Al Shams Housing & Urbanization Company.
Dr. Azzam holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Irvine, USA, with a specialization in econometrics, economic forecasting, and monetary policy. He also holds a Diploma in Real Estate Finance from the University of Pennsylvania, USA; master’s in economics from the University of California, Irvine; master’s in economics from the American University in Cairo; and a Bachelor of Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University.
He has published several research papers in internationally refereed academic journals in the fields of finance, econometrics, and monetary policy.
Mrs. Kanayo Awani
Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank
Mrs. Kanayo Awani
Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank
Mrs. Kanayo Awani is the Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nigeria and a Master of Public Administration in International Trade and Finance from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, USA and a recipient of the Edward S. Mason Fellowship in Public Policy and Management from Harvard.
She has garnered extensive banking experience with Citigroup in Nigeria, serving for nearly 17 years and leaving as the Vice President and Head of Industrial & Commercial Corporates before joining Afreximbank in 2009. As the Executive Vice President, she provides strategic and operational leadership in implementing the Bank's Intra-African trade, industrialization and export development objectives, in support of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Her leadership and contribution to the continent’s banking and trade finance landscape has received global recognition with several awards including, Top 100 Most Influential Person of African Descent by MIPAD, 2020; Africa Financial Industry Summit (AFIS) Woman Leader Award, 2022; Forbes Afrique’s list of “The 50 Most Influential African Women,” 2023; Africa Inspirational Personality of the Year by the Africa Women Impact Summit (AWIS), 2023; African Diaspora Advisory Board (ADAB) Global Woman Award in Washington, D.C. (2024); and recognised among Africa’s Most Impactful Women by ARISE News (2025).
She also serves on the Executive Committee of FCI (the global association body for
Factoring Open Account and Trade Receivables).
Mr. Mohamed Mahran
Chief Executive Officer, Misr Insurance Company
Mr. Mohamed Mahran
Chief Executive Officer, Misr Insurance Company
Mohamed Mahran assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer in August– 2025
He held the position of CEO of Misr Insurance Holding Company from Jan 2023 till June, 2025.
He was Vice Chairman of Allianz Companies in Egypt in 2019; he has also been holding the position of Managing Director of Allianz Insurance Company – Egypt since Nov 2012.
Mahran holds several esteemed roles across an array of reputable insurance and governmental organizations where he had assumed the roles of Chairman of the Executive Council at The Insurance Federation of Egypt. He is currently member of the High Advisory Committee to the Board of Directors at the Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority, Member of the Board of Directors at Egyptian TPL Governmental Fund. Mahran is also a Professor of Practice at Cairo University, Faculty of Commerce.
Mahran kicked off his career 34 years ago in the Aviation Reinsurance Department at Misr Insurance Company. In 1993, he joined the National Company for Cooperative Insurance “TAWUNIYA” in Saudi Arabia as Head of Motor Underwriting then he was appointed as Chief Underwriter, Property Insurance in 2000.
In 2001, Mahran joined the American Insurance Group “AIG” in Cairo where he occupied the post of Claims Director. In early 2006, he assumed the role of Regional Claims Manager for the Middle East region based in Dubai, UAE, where he has overseen the operation for claims in eight countries in the Gulf region in addition to Lebanon.
At end of 2007, Mahran was entrusted with the opening of AIG’s branch in Qatar where he continued to hold several positions there until 2010 when he occupied the post of General Manager of Zurich Insurance Group in Bahrain and Kuwait, until coming back to Egypt in 2012.
Mahran holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce in 1985 and a high postgraduate diploma in General Insurance from Cairo University in Egypt. He is also a Certified Takaful Professional (CTP) from Academy for International Modern Studies, United Kingdom and Associate Underwriting, AICPCU.
Mr. Abderrahim CHAFFAI
Chairman of the Insurance and Social Security Supervisory Authority (ACAPS)
Mr. Abderrahim CHAFFAI
Chairman of the Insurance and Social Security Supervisory Authority (ACAPS)
His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, appointed Mr. Abderrahim CHAFFAI as Chairman of the Insurance and Social Security Supervisory Authority (ACAPS) on October 19, 2023. Since 2019, he had served as Director General of the Solidarity Fund for Catastrophic Events (FSEC).
Mr. Abderrahim CHAFFAI holds an MBA from HEC Paris and a degree in Engineering from the
Institute of Statistics at the University of Paris. After gaining initial experience at SANAD, he joined ZURICH Insurance as Deputy Managing Director.
Mr. Chaffai subsequently held several senior positions at Société Centrale de Réassurance (SCR), WAFA Assurance, VIDAL Assurances, and BCE Actuarial Consulting.
Mr. OLUSEGUN AYO OMOSEHIN
Commissioner for Insurance/Chief Executive, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Nigeria
Mr. OLUSEGUN AYO OMOSEHIN
Commissioner for Insurance/Chief Executive, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Nigeria
Mr. Olusegun Omosehin is the Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive of the National Insurance Commission, Nigeria. A seasoned insurance professional with over 30 years of leadership experience, he has played pivotal roles in strategic planning, risk management, and organizational transformation across leading insurance institutions.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (FIIN). Mr. Omosehin holds degrees in Political Science, International Law and Diplomacy, and Economics, and is an alumnus of the Said Business School, University of Oxford. Prior to his appointment as the Nigerian Regulator for the Insurance Sector in April 2024, he served as Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association and held CEO positions at Old Mutual Nigeria Life Assurance, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, and AIICO General Insurance.
Dr. Abiba Zakariah
Acting Commissioner of Insurance - Ghana
Dr. Abiba Zakariah
Acting Commissioner of Insurance - Ghana
Dr. Abiba Zakariah holds a Doctorate in Management from the Swiss Management Centre, Geneva, and a Master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Ghana, Legon. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK) and the Chartered Insurance Institute Ghana, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana, a member of the Institute of Risk Management Professionals Ghana and holds an LLB degree.
With over 30 years’ experience, she has served in senior leadership roles across the insurance industry, including Managing Director of Ghana Reinsurance Company Ltd and Group Chief Operating Officer of WAICA Reinsurance. She was appointed Acting Commissioner of Insurance by the President of Ghana.
Dr. Zakariah founded the Chartered Insurance Ladies Association of Ghana (CILAG) and has served on several national and international boards. She is a multi-award-winning insurance professional and an ordained Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana.
Mrs. Delphine Traoré
Chief Executive Officer of SanlamAllianz General InsuranceChief Executive Officer of SanlamAllianz General Insurance
Mrs. Delphine Traoré
Chief Executive Officer of SanlamAllianz General InsuranceChief Executive Officer of SanlamAllianz General Insurance
Delphine Traoré is the Chief Executive Officer of SanlamAllianz General Insurance since September 2023, following the success of the combination of Allianz and Sanlam activities on the African continent.
Prior to this appointment, she was the first African woman to hold the highest regional position within the Allianz group: she has been Regional CEO of Allianz Africa from November 2021 to August 2023, while retaining her previous positions as Member of the Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer, which she has held since 2017. First African woman to hold the highest regional position within the Allianz group, she was the only black woman on the Executive Committee (Comex) of the Allianz group.
First African woman to hold the highest regional position within the Allianz group, she was the only black woman on the Executive Committee (Comex) of the Allianz group.
Native of Burkina Faso, Delphine is from Orodara, a small village west of Bobo-Dioulasso, the economic capital and second largest city in the country.
At the end of her university studies and after a first professional experience, she joined the Allianz Group in 2005, within the Canadian subsidiary of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). From 2012 to 2017, she was CEO of AGCS Africa in South Africa. To date, she still holds the position of Non-Executive Member on the Executive Committee at AGCS South Africa.
Holder of a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) from the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, Delphine served consecutively as Vice-President and then President of the African Insurance Organization (AIO) from May 2018 to September 2021, prior to which she was the President of the Insurance Institute of South Africa (2015-2017). She is a member of the Board of Directors of the African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re) , She also sits on the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), which aim to increase the prosperity of African farmers through financial inclusion as well as on the Board of Ivanhoe Mines as a Non-executive Director. Ivanhoe Mines is a leading Canadian mining company committed to becoming a global leader in the supply of critical resources required to transition our world to a low-carbon, renewable future.
Delphine's commitment and merits on the continent have been recognized by many renowned organizations, including the media, various professional groups and civil society, through prizes, nominations, awards...
Mr. Hamed Mahmoud Salah El Din
Technical Executive Director at Misr Takaful Insurance Company
Mr. Hamed Mahmoud Salah El Din
Technical Executive Director at Misr Takaful Insurance Company
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Technical Executive Director at Misr Takaful Insurance Company.
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President of Reinsurance Committee at Insurers Federation of Egypt.
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Lecturer at the Insurance Institute of Egypt
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Lecturer at Faculty of Commerce, Cairo University.
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Technical Executive Director at Egyptian Takaful Insurance Company.
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Area Manager at The Egyptian Reinsurance Company (Egypt Re)
He has 38 years of experience in Insurance, Reinsurance, Technical Accounts and legal cases.
He also has shared the establishment of 2 Takaful Companies.
Ms. Patty Karuaihe-Martin
Managing Director, NamibRe
Ms. Patty Karuaihe-Martin
Managing Director, NamibRe
Ms. Karuaihe-Martin is a seasoned business and finance professional with over 30 years of experience in the financial and insurance industry, including Senior Partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC). She is the 2nd Vice-President of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
Patty is the immediate past President of the Africa Insurance Organization (AIO) and UNEP-FI Global Steering Committee Co-Chair, Invictae Vice President for Southern Africa and NAMW IFI Director. Patty was recently awarded the Top 50 Women in Insurance in Africa award by AIO and PILA (Professional Insurance Ladies Association), the Top 10 Women to Watch in the Insurance Sector award by Angaza (Africa Women in Banking, Finance & Investment), and in 2023 she was shortlisted as Top 50 for the Africa Financial Industry Summit Awards in the Woman Leader by the Africa Financial Industry Summit (AFIS).
NamibRe has enjoyed significant success under her leadership. She strongly believes in thought leadership and continuous professional development; she has a great passion for sustainability and an unquestionable drive to make a tangible impact in the insurance landscape.
Ms Karuaihe-Martin strongly advocates Thought Leadership through social media, imparting knowledge and participating in global spaces and platforms and regular industry roundtable discussions. She serves on a global network of change agents as Woman Working for Change Ambassador, a title conferred on high achievers who are actively committed to unleashing the potential of female leadership in Africa.
Mr. Bachir Baddou
Chief Executive Officer, CAT Assurance et Réassurance
Mr. Bachir Baddou
Chief Executive Officer, CAT Assurance et Réassurance
Bachir Baddou holds a degree in economics from Pierre Mendès France University in Grenoble and an MBA from the University of Sherbrooke (Canada).
He spent more than twelve years at the insurance company La Marocaine Vie, where he served as Chief Executive Officer. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of CAT Assurance et Réassurance and Executive Vice-President of the Moroccan Insurance Federation (FMA).
In December 2024, he was elected Vice President of the Global Federation of Insurance Associations (GFIA), which brings together more than 40 federations representing nearly 87% of global insurance turnover.
He is also Executive Vice-President of the Moroccan Maritime Insurers Committee and the Moroccan Central Insurance Bureau (“Green Card” system), Past President of the African Insurance Organization (OAA), and a member of its Executive Committee.
Mr. Tope Smart
Group Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc
Mr. Tope Smart
Group Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc
Tope Smart, an associate member of both the Chartered Institute of London and Nigeria is a graduate and an award winner from the University of Lagos. He also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
He is presently the Group Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Chairman, Alpha Morgan Bank Limited amongst others.
He is a Council member, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Council member, West African Insurance Companies Association (Ghana), Council member, Nigeria-Britain Association, member of Senate, University of Lagos, and a past Chairman of Nigeria Insurers Association. Tope is a past President of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO). He was at one time appointed by the Federal Government of Nigeria as Co-Chairman of the Insurance Industry Transformation Committee.
He is a past winner of Insurance CEO of the Year and a three-time winner of the Businessday Top 25 CEOs award.
He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
Mr. Lesley Ndlovu
CEO of AfrexInsure
Mr. Lesley Ndlovu
CEO of AfrexInsure
Lesley Ndlovu is the CEO of AfrexInsure, Afreximbank's insurance subsidiary. He has over 20 years' experience in corporate finance, investment management and insurance. Prior to joining Afreximbank, he was the CEO of the African Risk Capacity, a specialist reinsurance company for natural catastrophes. He spent the bulk of his career with the AXA Group in various senior management roles including Chief Investment Officer for AXA Singapore, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Group in France and CEO for AXA Specialty in the United Kingdom.
He has extensive international experience having worked in Egypt, South Africa, the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, Bermuda. He is a graduate of the University of Oxford and INSEAD Business School. His industry leadership has been recognized through selection as one of the Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum, nomination to the Times 100 Business Leaders and a member of the Choiseul Africa.
Mr. Walter Voigts-von Forster
Chief Executive Officer, Munich Re Africa
Mr. Walter Voigts-von Forster
Chief Executive Officer, Munich Re Africa
Walter Voigts-von Forster is the Chief Executive Officer of Munich Re Africa. He is responsible for leading the strategy, performance and market development of the business across the African continent.
In addition to his role as CEO, Walter jointly serves as Head of Non-Life for Munich Re Africa, overseeing the management, strategy and performance of the reinsurance portfolio across African markets. The portfolio covers Property, Casualty and Specialty reinsurance across both treaty and facultative business.
Walter has over 19 years of experience in the reinsurance industry. He joined Munich Re in 2007 and has held various leadership roles, including Head of Aviation Treaty based in Munich. He was appointed jointly Head of Non-Life for Munich Re Africa in 2022 and assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer in 2026.
He holds a Diploma in Mathematics from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).
Mr. Mikir Shah
Chief Executive Officer, Africa Specialty Risks
Mr. Mikir Shah
Chief Executive Officer, Africa Specialty Risks
Mikir Shah is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Specialty Risks, with over 25 years of experience in Africa.
Prior to ASR, Mikir was Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AXA Africa Specialty Risks. A highly skilled practitioner with extensive financial experience, Mikir has also previously held the position of Head of Insurance (UK) and Head of Financial Institutions at Barclays Investment Bank. He started his career at ABN AMRO Bank N.V where he became Head of European and Emerging Markets before joining Macquarie Capital as Head of India showcasing his diverse market experience and skillset.
An advocate of taking a proactive approach to insurance by finding and working with clients on the ground in Africa, Mikir was born in Kenya and has frequently visited Africa to understand client’s specific needs and provide solutions.
Mrs. Rebekah Ratliff
Secretary, National African American Insurance Association
Mrs. Rebekah Ratliff
Secretary, National African American Insurance Association
Rebekah Ratliff is an international mediator and arbitrator with the Judicial Arbitration Mediation Service (JAMS), providing dispute resolution services worldwide. She is a credentialed former commercial insurance complex claims professional with more than 25 years of experience evaluating, negotiating and settling casualty claims loss matters, nationwide and internationally for global carriers and she holds a Casualty Claims Law Specialist (CCLS) designation. Having a wide range of subject matter expertise, she managed and held the authority to negotiate and resolve complex matters, with settlements totaling in the millions. After leaving her claims career, she founded Capital City Mediations, LLC, a mediation, arbitration and consulting firm and joined the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service (JAMS) in 2020, becoming the first African American non-attorney ever, to be invited to the JAMS panel of neutrals. Ms. Ratliff is the Secretary and Global Relationships Liaison of the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA).
Proudly of West African descent, she is actively engaged in insurance community on the Continent, as a member of AIWA and CILAG. She serves as the 1st Vice Chair of the National Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section and will serve in the upcoming administration as the Chief Risk Management Advisor to the President. She also serves on the American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section Council. Ms. Ratliff is a published author and globally sought-after presenter, panelist, and lecturer in the insurance and legal industries, commanding audiences from all over the world. She is the visionary and founder of HBCU IMPACT®, a non-profit created to increase diverse representation in the insurance, risk management, financial services and legal industries by enabling a space for interaction between industry recruiters and students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The focus is to attract, educate and employ student participants into insurance-related careers. HBCU IMPACT initiatives enable relationships for global exposure, industry licensing, internships and employment.
Ms. Ratliff is an architect of the historic MOU signed in 2025, between the National Bar Association (USA) and the AfCFTA Secretariat. Along with her Co-chair, she planned and served as a panelist in an insurance-focused program held at the IMF on the margins of the IMF World Bank Fall Meetings (October 2025), offering insights on how the insurance, financial services and legal communities will enable sustainable economic growth and rule-based trade integration across Africa.
Ms. Ratliff is an adjunct professor at Howard University School of Law, teaching insurance-related curriculum, that she created and designed. She is the recipient of various prestigious awards to include the 2024 Global Women of Excellence U.S. Congressional Honor, 2023 Business Insurance Alonzo Herndon (Diversity) Award, Business Insurance Women To Watch (2021), Insurance Business America (IBA) Elite Women, IBA HOT 100 List, National Bar Association Outstanding Service Award and the American Bar Association’s inaugural Ladder Award. Ms. Ratliff is a native of Chicago, IL and graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, holding a degree in Psychology. She is based in Atlanta, GA and operates globally.
Mr. Gerald Gakundi
Deputy Managing Director – Supervision Bermuda Monetary Authority
Mr. Gerald Gakundi
Deputy Managing Director – Supervision Bermuda Monetary Authority
As Deputy Managing Director and Head of Insurance and Investment Funds at the Bermuda Monetary Authority (Authority or BMA), Gerald Gakundi is a member of the BMA’s Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the development and implementation of the Authority’s strategies and policies, with a specific focus on leading the teams supervising all (re)insurance and investment funds licensed entities.
Mr Gakundi has over 25 years of experience working in the insurance industry, including almost 20 of those in Bermuda. Mr Gakundi joined the Authority in 2010 as Assistant Director, Supervision (Insurance). He has extensive knowledge of Bermuda’s insurance regulatory environment, which has allowed him to be an active contributor in the BMA’s international engagement efforts, including leading dialogue with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and numerous other insurance regulatory authorities. Over the years, he has also assisted in developing and implementing the Authority’s long and medium- term insurance supervision strategy and policy.
Prior to joining the Authority, Mr Gakundi worked as a Senior Audit Manager at Ernst & Young Ltd. Bermuda.
Dr. HILLARY MAINA WACHINGA
Group Managing Director
Dr. HILLARY MAINA WACHINGA
Group Managing Director
Dr. Hillary Maina Wachinga is a multiskilled strategic thinker with over 20 years
of proven work experience in risk management, compliance and auditing. His visionary and well-researched business solutions have maximized realization of corporate goals in entities he has worked for. His previous job of overseeing Risk & Compliance operations at Kenya Re Group gave him deep understanding of different cultures, business and regulatory environments in Africa, Middle East and Asia.
Dr. Wachinga holds a doctorate in Business Administration, Masters in Business Administration and undergraduate BSC degree in Computer Science – all from University of Nairobi. He is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K), Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Enterprise Risk Manager (CERM) and Certified Compliance Analyst (CCA). He also has certificates in insurance proficiency (COP) from College of Insurance, project management from Strathmore University and corporate governance from Centre of Corporate Governance.
Dr. Wachinga’s key skills include corporate strategic planning, executive leadership, networking, coaching and mentorship, emotional intelligence skills, communication, budget development and implementation, board reporting, relationship management with key stakeholders and capacity building. He has industry knowledge and experience in various sectors – financial auditing, Banking, Insurance, Reinsurance, Investment, Project Management and Cybersecurity.
Dr. Wachinga is a flexible and adaptable corporate leader with demonstrable success in strategic planning and implementation, project management, financial management, auditing and risk management. He has been involved in successful implementation of core business IT systems as well as automation of Internal Audit, Risk Management and Compliance Management functions.
Ms. Prdnya Bhadlikar
Strategic Planner and Business Development Lead at Protection Reinsurance Brokers
Ms. Prdnya Bhadlikar
Strategic Planner and Business Development Lead at Protection Reinsurance Brokers
Seasoned reinsurance strategist with 15+ years across Africa. Holds a Master’s in Insurance, is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India, and a member of CII UK.
An active advocate for women in insurance through AIWA and YIPs Africa, she regularly delivers reinsurance training programs to build industry talent.
Currently serves as Strategic Planner and Business Development lead at Protection Reinsurance Brokers, Bahrain. Expertise :
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Surety Bonds & Guarantees
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PVT vs Political Risks
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Liability Policies & Cyber Risk
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Marine Insurance & Protection & Indemnity (P&I)
Mr. Pranav Prashad
Thematic lead at the ILO's Impact Insurance Facility
Mr. Pranav Prashad
Thematic lead at the ILO's Impact Insurance Facility
An experienced development sector professional having expertise in insurance working towards financial inclusion and risk management of vulnerable sectors of society.
With a business administration background and extensive private sector experience, Pranav is currently based at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and is the thematic lead at the ILO's Impact Insurance Facility (earlier Microinsurance Innovation Facility) for initiatives related to climate change, Disaster risk and climate risk and agriculture insurance, distribution and building scale and efficiency through use of technology globally which includes projects in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
A business manager with more than three decades of experience, he has initiated and taken to scale agriculture (including weather index based products) and health insurance projects amongst low income households in India, utilizing a diverse set of distribution channels (such as community based organizations, provider networks, cooperative banks, rural retailers farm input providers and rural village based e kiosks) and enabling the projects with technology.
At the Facility, Pranav has aided in successful introduction of weather index insurance products in Sri Lanka and index related product for livestock in Kenya amongst other projects.
He is also the lead author of the recently published paper on the use of mobile phones in insurance. Pranav holds an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies and a bachelor's honours degree in Economics, both from Delhi University, India.
Mr. David Maslo
CEO of African Risk Capacity (ARC) Ltd
Mr. David Maslo
CEO of African Risk Capacity (ARC) Ltd
David Maslo is CEO of African Risk Capacity (ARC) Ltd, a hybrid mutual insurer supporting African nations in managing disaster-related financial risks.
With deep expertise in disaster risk insurance and financial management, he previously served as ARC’s underwriter and head of business development, creating insurance products for droughts, floods, and epidemics. He also led initiatives for social safety nets and agricultural protection.
Before ARC, David was Chief Risk Management Officer at the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, overseeing $1.5 billion in disaster risks across 30 countries.
He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science/International Relations and Economics from the University of Pretoria, plus a data science certification. His credentials include CPCU, ARe, and Insurance-Linked Securities certification, and memberships in the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and the Institute of Directors.
Mr. Matthew Genazzini
Executive Director of the Microinsurance Network
Mr. Matthew Genazzini
Executive Director of the Microinsurance Network
Matthew Genazzini is the Executive Director of the Microinsurance Network, bringing 16 years of experience in development finance and inclusive insurance.
He holds a BA in Contemporary History from the University of Sussex and an MA in Latin American Studies from the University of London. Before joining the Network, Matthew spent over a decade at ADA – Appui au Développement Autonome – where he led capacity-building and product diversification initiatives for financial institutions, with a particular focus on microinsurance.
In 2017, he headed ADA’s Technical Support for MFIs unit, delivering financial and technical assistance to strengthen institutions across the sector.
In 2020, he launched the Smallholder Safety Net Up-scaling Programme (SSNUP), a public–private development partnership that enhances the resilience of smallholder farmers by fostering investment in the agricultural sector. Matthew joined the board of the Microinsurance Network in 2019 and, in October 2024, was appointed Executive Director.
Mrs.YESIDE OYETAYO
Chief Executive Officer, SOEYA Consult
Mrs.YESIDE OYETAYO
Chief Executive Officer, SOEYA Consult
Yeside is the CEO of SOEYA Consult, a foremost insurance training and advisory firm. She is a lawyer, seasoned insurance trainer, and respected industry strategist with over 30 years of distinguished experience in Nigeria’s insurance sector.
Yeside was formerly the Head of Department of Insurance at Lagos State University, and Pioneer Rector of the College of Insurance and Financial Management (CIFM), Nigeria. She currently is a UNDP Master Trainer on Inclusive Insurance; ILO National Trainer on Financial Education, Chairman of the Financial Inclusion Working Group for the implementation of Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025 and Chairman of the AIO Book Review Committee.
A highly sought-after facilitator and thought leader, Yeside regularly leads executive strategic dialogues on insurance governance, regulation, financial inclusion, and market development.
Her academic credentials reflect a multidisciplinary foundation in law, management, and insurance. Yeside holds a PhD in Law from the University of Leicester, UK.
Mr. David Mueller
Regional Lead, Africa, Insurance and Risk Finance, UNDP
Mr. David Mueller
Regional Lead, Africa, Insurance and Risk Finance, UNDP
David Mueller is an economic development expert with 15 years of programme management and technical experience with the UN, NGOs, private sector and government at field, regional and headquarters level. My expertise centers around SDG investment, impact management, and insurance and risk finance. I possess organisational proficiencies and thrive in delivering coordination responsibilities.
In his current role at the UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub (SFH), as part of the Africa Sustainable Finance Hub (ASFH) and the Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF), David works with teams across Africa to build countries’ and communities’ financial resilience through insurance and risk financing tools.
Through working in Sub-Saharan Africa for most of my life, David has developed an appreciation for the region’s diverse economic, social and political contexts. He has first-hand experiences across all sub-regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, and he is passionate about building financial resilience and unlocking the private sector’s role in the continent’s sustainable development trajectory.
Mrs. Christine Rodrigues
Partner at Bowmans
Mrs. Christine Rodrigues
Partner at Bowmans
Christine Rodrigues is a Partner at Bowmans and a recognised thought leader in insurance regulation in South Africa and across the African continent. Ranked Band 2 by Chambers & Partners, she advises insurers, reinsurers and industry stakeholders on complex regulatory, policy and governance matters across both the life and non-life insurance sectors. She is particularly respected for her insight into regulatory strategy and regulatory engagement.
Christine brings a distinctly Pan‑African perspective to her practice. She works closely with African insurance market participants to support regulatory alignment, market development and sustainable growth, advising on market entry, supervisory engagement and evolving regulatory frameworks. Her work is focused on helping insurance markets balance innovation, consumer protection and financial stability across diverse jurisdictions.
Before entering private practice, Christine worked within one of South Africa’s largest insurance groups and spent time supporting its Mozambican operations. This experience gives her a practical, commercial understanding of the operational realities and challenges facing insurers operating across borders in Africa.
Christine holds BCom and BCom (Hons) degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and an LLB from the University of South Africa (UNISA). At the AIO Conference, she looks forward to engaging on regulatory reform, innovation and the future role of insurance in Africa’s economic development.
Mr. Sahib Singh Khosla
Executive Director and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, Lux Actuaries & Consultants
Mr. Sahib Singh Khosla
Executive Director and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, Lux Actuaries & Consultants
Sahib Singh Khosla, HSC, FIA, FASK, FAAU is an actuary, governance leader, and sustainability advocate working at the intersection of insurance, long-term capital, and inclusive economic development across Africa. He serves as Executive Director and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at Lux Actuaries & Consultants and has advised insurers, pension schemes, banks, regulators, and development-oriented institutions across multiple African markets on solvency, financial reporting, risk management, ESG integration, and strategic transformation.
Sahib currently serves as Vice-Chair of Kenya’s Multi-Agency Taskforce on the Actuarial Bill under the National Treasury and Economic Planning and is a member of the Africa Regional Council of the Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD). His work has increasingly focused on how financial systems, particularly insurance and pensions, can support resilience, social inclusion, and sustainable economic growth.
A Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK), the Actuarial Society of Kenya, and the Actuarial Association of Uganda, Sahib has contributed extensively to regulatory reform, financial governance, actuarial innovation, and sustainability discourse within the African financial sector. He is also a recipient of the Geoffrey Heywood Award from the International Actuarial Association and the Head of State Commendation (HSC) awarded by the President of Kenya.
At the conference, Sahib will share perspectives on the evolving role of life insurance as a catalyst for household resilience, long-term capital mobilisation, and inclusive economic transformation in Africa.
Mr. Kelvin Massingham.
Director, Adaptation and Resilience | FSD Africa
Mr. Kelvin Massingham.
Director, Adaptation and Resilience | FSD Africa
Kelvin is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of diverse leadership experience across the development, corporate financial services, and startup sectors. As a qualified Actuary, he has built a strong career working in emerging markets, holding senior executive roles in a variety of industries.
Kelvin has served as CEO of a life insurance company in Tanzania, Regional Director for a digital health company in Kenya, and co-founder and COO of a healthtech startup in India and Pakistan. His entrepreneurial spirit and leadership have shaped his ability to navigate complex environments and deliver impactful solutions.
Currently, Kelvin is the Director, Adaptation and Resilience at FSD Africa, where he leads efforts to drive financial market innovation across Africa. His focus is on enhancing resilience and enabling green, inclusive growth across the continent.
Based in Cairo, Egypt, Kelvin is deeply committed to making a positive impact in the regions he serves.
Mr. Nkwenti Mbelli Njah
Group Head of Life and Health Operations, Continental Re PLC
Mr. Nkwenti Mbelli Njah
Group Head of Life and Health Operations, Continental Re PLC
Nkwenti Mbelli Njah is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Portugal (IAP) and a part qualified actuary of the Society of Actuaries of USA (SOA). He holds a Professional master’s in actuarial science from the University of Lisbon in Portugal and an Academic master’s in economics from the University of Buea in Cameroon, combining technical actuarial expertise with a deep understanding of economic systems and household capital formation.
Nkwenti is a seasoned marketing actuary with over 17 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry. Currently serving as Group Head of Life and Health Operations at Continental Reinsurance PLC, Nkwenti leads strategic initiatives across business development, underwriting, pricing, risk management, and product development across diverse life and health portfolios.
With expertise spanning life underwriting, risk assessment, capital modelling, and business development, Nkwenti has played a pivotal role in driving innovation and operational excellence in reinsurance solutions. His leadership focuses on aligning actuarial rigor with market needs, ensuring sustainable growth while addressing emerging challenges such as digitalisation, underwriting of lifestyle diseases, and disability risk solutions.
He is also a strong advocate for ESG principles and financial inclusion, championing the role of life insurers in building sustainable and inclusive economies. Nkwenti currently serves as the project Coordinator of the AIO project on the development of mortality tables, a landmark initiative to ensure adequate pricing of life products in Africa and increase insurance penetration.
Alongside his corporate leadership, Nkwenti serves as an Adjunct Lecturer in Actuarial Science at the University of Lagos for the master’s program in Actuarial science accredited by the Institute of Actuarial Science of the UK (IFOA). In this capacity, he prepares students for exemptions from professional papers, bridging academic learning with practical industry application, and mentoring the next generation of actuarial professionals.
A recognized industry voice, Nkwenti has moderated panels and contributed to conferences on lifestyle disease underwriting, digital innovation, and the future of life insurance. He is passionate about mentoring underwriting teams, fostering professional development, and building collaborative partnerships that advance the resilience of the insurance ecosystem.
At the African Insurance Organisation Conference, Nkwenti will present on “Mobilising Long-Term Savings for Inclusive Development: Life Insurers, Innovation, and Household Capital Formation in African Economies.” His insights will highlight how life insurers can leverage innovation to strengthen household savings, expand financial inclusion, and support economic transformation across Africa.
Nkwenti have strong leadership capabilities and enjoy building relationships and working collaboratively in a team environment with both internal and external stakeholders.
He is a prolific speaker of English and French with basic understanding of Portuguese.
Mrs. Adetola Adegbayi
Founder/Executive Director, Mutual Aid Specialist (MAIDS) Microinsurance Limited
Mrs. Adetola Adegbayi
Founder/Executive Director, Mutual Aid Specialist (MAIDS) Microinsurance Limited
Adetola Adegbayi is a regarded insurance executive with over three decades of experience pioneering innovative risk and financial service solutions across Africa. She is the Founder of Mutual Specialist Investment Company (MUSIC), an impact investment platform and promoter of Mutual Aid Specialist (MAIDS), a shared-value microinsurance company advancing financial resilience and inclusive insurance access.
Through the MUSIC–MAIDS platform, Adetola has developed a blockchain-enabled hybrid mutual insurance model that redefines insurance as a fungible, wealth-building service. This model transitions policyholders into stakeholder-owners, enabling individuals, communities, SMEs, and social enterprises to access financial protection while participating in long-term value creation through tokenised insurance. Franchise-ready, MAIDS provides a scalable and commercially viable framework for replicating the distribution of fungible insurance solutions across Africa.
Adetola is an alumna of the University of South Wales, the University of Bristol, Harvard Business School, and IMD Business School. She is also a Top 50 Women in Insurance Africa honouree by the AIO.
Mrs. Attra Atukunda
Business Development and Partnerships Lead, Agro Consortium
Mrs. Attra Atukunda
Business Development and Partnerships Lead, Agro Consortium
Attra is an insurance and climate risk professional with over nine years experience in inclusive insurance, disaster risk financing, and climate risk management. She currently serves as Business Development and Partnerships Lead at the Agro Consortium (AIC), the secretariat of the Uganda Agriculture Insurance Scheme (UAIS), a public-private partnership between the Government of Uganda and the private sector.
In this role, she drives growth strategy, builds and manages strategic partnerships, and advances innovative approaches to expand insurance access among underserved populations. Her work places a strong emphasis on women and other vulnerable groups who are disproportionately affected by climate shocks, ensuring that solutions are both inclusive and responsive to real-world needs. Attra holds multiple certifications in climate risk, inclusive insurance, and project management, alongside a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering.
Mr. Omar Cissé Sow
Agro-Economist Engineer | Senior Expert in Agricultural Insurance
Mr. Omar Cissé Sow
Agro-Economist Engineer | Senior Expert in Agricultural Insurance
A recognized expert in agricultural insurance (traditional and index-based), Omar Cissé Sow has over ten years of strategic experience at the National Agricultural Insurance Company of Senegal (CNAAS). An agricultural economist engineer and PhD candidate in rural economics specializing in risk management, he combines academic rigor with proven field expertise.
He began his career at the World Food Programme (WFP) on the R4 (Rural Resilience) initiative, thus consolidating his expertise in food security issues. Currently heading the Technical and Commercial Department of CNAAS since 2019, he oversees the national network and manages distribution strategies in collaboration with international donors (World Bank, USAID, IFAD). A committed leader, he also chairs the Association of Agricultural Engineers of Senegal (ADENSA). His vision is based on transforming inclusive insurance into a major lever for national food sovereignty.
Mrs. Mercy Matata
Chairperson of the Technical Committee of the Tanzania Agricultural Insurance Consortium (TAIC)
Mrs. Mercy Matata
Chairperson of the Technical Committee of the Tanzania Agricultural Insurance Consortium (TAIC)
Mercy Matata is a highly accomplished underwriting and reinsurance professional with over 14 years of progressive experience in underwriting, reinsurance, risk management, and insurance product development within Tanzania’s insurance industry. She has built a strong reputation for driving technical excellence, developing innovative insurance solutions, and strengthening institutional underwriting capacity across multiple lines of business.
She currently serves as Underwriting Manager at Newtan Insurance Ltd, where she has played a leading technical role in advancing agricultural insurance solutions for both crop and livestock sectors. Mercy has been instrumental in designing tailored risk management frameworks and reinsurance structures that address the unique needs of smallholder farmers and agricultural value chain actors. Working closely with industry experts and stakeholders, she has contributed to the development of structured protection models and innovative insurance products that integrate agronomic risk factors, seasonal variability, climate exposure, and value chain dynamics into underwriting, pricing, and portfolio management.
In addition to her corporate leadership role, Mercy currently serves as Chairperson of the Technical Committee of the Tanzania Agricultural Insurance Consortium (TAIC), where she plays an lmpotant role in shaping Tanzania’s agricultural insurance landscape. Through her technical leadership and strategic contributions, she continues to support the development of a sustainable, scalable, and inclusive agricultural insurance market that strengthens resilience and financial protection for farmers and agribusiness stakeholders across Tanzania.
Mr. Amani Kapela Mollel
Insurance Expert, National Insurance Corporation (NIC)
Mr. Amani Kapela Mollel
Insurance Expert, National Insurance Corporation (NIC)
Amani Kapela Mollel is an experienced insurance professional at the National Insurance Corporation in Tanzania, with extensive expertise in general insurance products and services. Over the years, he has built a strong professional track record in underwriting, risk assessment, claims management, and customer service across a wide range of insurance portfolios.
Currently, Amani specializes in agricultural insurance, where he plays a key role in supporting agricultural value chains and advancing sustainable insurance solutions for farmers, agribusinesses, and other stakeholders within the sector. His work is focused on strengthening financial protection in agriculture through innovative insurance programs that enhance productivity, resilience, and long-term economic growth.
Amani is widely recognized for his professionalism, dedication, and practical understanding of insurance operations, particularly in the areas of general insurance, agricultural insurance, and agricultural value chain support.
Ms. Ramatoulaye Goudiaby
Managing Director of SICAURIS Consulting
Ms. Ramatoulaye Goudiaby
Managing Director of SICAURIS Consulting
Ramatoulaye Goudiaby is a finance professional with 20+ years of experience in capital markets, structured finance, and institutional relationships across Africa.
She is the Managing Director of SICAURIS Consulting, where she advises financial institutions and public stakeholders on market development, investment structuring, and strategic partnerships.
She has also built a strong track record in designing and delivering high-level financial events and platforms, mobilising regulators, banks, DFIs, investors and corporates.
Former Director of the Africa Financial Summit (AFIS), she now leads initiatives that accelerate capital mobilisation and market deepening in Africa, with a particular focus on local currency markets, securitisation, and investment ecosystems
Mr. OLA Jacob
London Market Business Development Director at Global Parametrics,
Mr. OLA Jacob
London Market Business Development Director at Global Parametrics,
London Market Business Development Director, Global Parametrics || Chair at BIBA London and South East || Trustee at Lloyds || Insurance Times Technology Champion of The Year Winner||
Ola is a senior leader in global risk innovation, currently serving as London Market Business Development Director at Global Parametrics, where he drives growth of parametric insurance solutions that strengthen resilience to climate, weather, and natural catastrophe risks across emerging and developed markets.
With over fourteen years in the London Market, his previous experience covered Casualty, Product Recall, Terrorism, and Onshore Energy. Ola has led product strategy and distribution for advanced risk transfer offerings — transforming how insurers and clients approach protection gaps.
He is Chair of BIBA London and South East and a Trustee at Lloyd’s, roles through which he champions innovation, professional development and industry transformation. Recognised as Insurance Times Technology Champion of the Year, Ola combines deep technical insight with strategic leadership.
A recognised voice on climate risk and insurance innovation, he regularly speaks at major global forums on emerging risk solutions. Ola is committed to expanding access to sustainable protection and closing insurance gaps worldwide
Ms. Rokhaya KANDJI
Managing Director of IFAGE
Ms. Rokhaya KANDJI
Managing Director of IFAGE
Rokhaya KANDJI is the Managing Director of IFAGE, the first institute in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa specialised in insurance and actuarial sciences. With over 11 years of experience, she has led the creation of groundbreaking programs, including the region’s first Bachelor’s (2015) and Master’s (2018) in Actuarial Sciences.
Passionate about strengthening Africa’s learning systems, she has built partnerships with universities in Europe, the U.S., and West and East Africa, positioning IFAGE within the global actuarial community.
As regional coordinator for Francophone Africa, Rokhaya supports and increases membership, collaborates with other coordinators to develop inclusive insurance, implements the Landscape program, contributes to knowledge sharing, and strengthens BPGs.
Mr. Mohamed Mansour
Co-founder and CPO at Amanleek
Mr. Mohamed Mansour
Co-founder and CPO at Amanleek
Mansour is a Co-founder and CPO at Amanleek, Egypt’s leading insurtech platform. A builder at heart, Mansour leverages his diverse background in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors to inject fresh, tech-driven innovation into the insurance space. He now focuses on digitizing the entire insurance journey for both individual clients and SMEs. Mansour believes that the right product design can solve any market friction, and insurance can go from a "headache" to a powerful, accessible tool for everyone.
Mr. Mario Wilhelm
General Partner at 3IF Ventures
Mr. Mario Wilhelm
General Partner at 3IF Ventures
Mario is the General Partner at 3IF Ventures, with 20 years of experience in the global re/insurance industry. His work focuses on bridging business development, investments and partnerships to accelerate insurance market development and close the protection gap, particularly in emerging markets. He has led pioneering initiatives in sovereign risk transfer, parametric insurance, climate resilience and financial inclusion, combining practical industry expertise with a PhD on risk management in low-income communities. Mario has a long and successful track record designing and delivering advisory and investment strategies that strengthen insurance propositions and unlock new growth opportunities.
Mr. Jephita Gwatipedza
Deputy Group CEO & COO
Mr. Jephita Gwatipedza
Deputy Group CEO & COO
Jeph has over 30 years’ experience in the African (re)insurance industry. He joined ZEP-RE in 2011, leading the set-up of regional operations in Southern African and was elevated to COO in 2019. In his current role, he oversees all regional/country offices, underwriting, business development, claims management, quality assurance, retrocession security, and shared services (legal, people & culture, and technology & innovation) for the Group.
A seasoned industry leader, Jeph has played a central role in advancing regional insurance capacity, market resilience, and strategic partnerships across Africa. He serves on the boards of Organization of Eastern and Southern Africa Insurers (OESAI) and Tanzania Reinsurance Company Limited (TAN-RE), and recently concluded his tenure at Uganda Re.
He is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of South Africa, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), and holds both an MBA and a Bachelor of Business Studies (Honours).
Mr. Anthony Chaillet
General Partner at 3IF Ventures
Mr. Anthony Chaillet
General Partner at 3IF Ventures
Anthony Chaillet is the General Partner at 3IF Ventures and a senior re/insurance executive and investor with over 20 years of international experience spanning strategy, venture capital, M&A (buy & sale side) as well as corporate development. Anthony successful track record includes advising corporates, public sector partners, and start-ups on strategy, business development, and innovative risk transfer solutions, while also investing in early-stage insurance ventures globally. Previously, Anthony spent 17 years at Swiss Re, where he led global reinsurance strategy, drove large M&A transactions, and managed a large investment portfolio across direct private equity and strategic participations globally as well as in Africa. His career began in private equity, giving him a strong foundation in financial and operational analysis.
Mrs. Hadil Ahmed Abdelkader
Secretary General of the Insurers Federation of Egypt (IFE)
Mrs. Hadil Ahmed Abdelkader
Secretary General of the Insurers Federation of Egypt (IFE)Hadil Ahmed Abdelkader is a senior executive and policy leader with more than 20 years of experience in insurance sector development, financial inclusion, public policy, and microinsurance innovation across Egypt and the MENA region. She currently serves as Secretary General of the Insurers Federation of Egypt (IFE), where she leads national insurance sector coordination, regulatory dialogue, inclusive insurance initiatives, institutional transformation, and strategic partnerships with local and international stakeholders. Throughout her career, Hadil has played a key role in advancing financial protection solutions for underserved communities, developing national strategies, and strengthening regulatory and institutional frameworks. Prior to joining IFE, she served as Head of Emerging Customers & Governmental Affairs and Board Member at AXA Egypt, where she led inclusive insurance strategy, oversaw emerging business lines, and contributed to the development of Egypt’s first proposed microinsurance company in partnership with Egypt Post. Her professional journey also includes leadership and technical roles with PlaNet Finance Middle East, the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), and Environmental Quality International (EQI), where she contributed to Egypt’s first National Microfinance Strategy, regulatory reforms, donor-funded development programs, gender mainstreaming initiatives, and consumer protection frameworks. Hadil has extensive experience working with international organizations and development partners including the International Labour Organization (ILO), African Development Bank (AfDB), European Union (EU), UN Women, and other regional institutions. Her expertise spans financial inclusion, inclusive insurance, MSME development, public-private partnerships, policy dialogue, institutional strengthening, and impact-driven program design. She holds a Master of International Business Administration from ESLSCA and a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the American University in Cairo. She is also a Certified Board Director and an accredited trainer in MSME development, microinsurance, and social performance management. Fluent in Arabic and English, and proficient in French, Hadil is recognized for her strategic leadership, policy expertise, and commitment to expanding access to sustainable financial protection solutions across emerging markets.
Mr Olivier Noel
Partner at EIMG Group
Mr Olivier Noel
Partner at EIMG Group
Olivier Noel began his career in the Emerging Markets division at Standard & Poor’s (Brussels), where he focused on sovereign risk.
He then joined the Africa department at ING Barings (Paris), working in the field of commodity finance.
He is currently a partner at EIMG Group. Olivier holds a degree in finance and economics from SOAS, University of London, an MBA from ESCP Europe, and is a graduate of INSEAD’s International Directors Program.
Dr. Baghayo A. Saqware
Commissioner of Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA)
Dr. Baghayo A. Saqware
Commissioner of Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA)
Dr. Baghayo A. Saqware is a Commissioner of Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) from 2017-2019 and 2022 to date.
Dr. Saqware started his career as compliance officer with National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and later he joined Institute of Finance Management and Tanzania Institute of Accountancy (TIA) as a lecturer in Insurance, Social Protection and Risk Management subjects for the past 19 years.
Prior to joining TIRA as a Commissioner of Insurance, he has held number management positions; he was Dean of Faculty of Insurance and Social Protection at the Institute of Finance Management (IFM), Ministerial Health Insurance Coordinator at the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Secretary to Insurance and Social Protection Technical Team that advices Bank of Tanzania on Insurance and Social Protection related matters.
Dr. Saqware has extensive experience in Leadership, Research and Consultancies at varies levels. He serves in various Board of Directors.
He was a Chairman of Finance and Operation Committee of the National Health Insurance Scheme for 6 years and Board Member of Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) and Africa College of Insurance and Social Protection (ACISP).
Mr. Israel Muchena
Managing Director of Agricultural Insurance at Hollard Moçambique Companhia de Seguros
Mr. Israel Muchena
Managing Director of Agricultural Insurance at Hollard Moçambique Companhia de Seguros
Israel Muchena is the Managing Director of Agricultural Insurance at Hollard Moçambique Companhia de Seguros. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Development Studies from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University of South Africa and Bachelor of Arts Dual Honours Degree in Modern Languages from the University of Zimbabwe. He is also a Certified Expert in Climate Risk Management and in Microinsurance of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Germany. He has vast experience of doing insurance and reinsurance business in the following markets: Angola, Botswana, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Israel is a non-executive director of Futuro Microbank S.A. He is also the Vice-Coordinator of the Insurance Promotion Working Group of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of Mozambique. Among his other notable achievements, Israel is also a published author of the following three books on insurance business:
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Development of Insurance in Angola, 2019 AIO African Insurance Book of the Year. https://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001203411
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Development of Insurance in Mozambique, 2017 AIO African Insurance Book of the Year. https://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001161389
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Exploration of Index-Based Insurance for Smallholder Farmers in Mozambique https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/787691-exploration-of-index-based-insurance-for-smallholder-farmers-in-mozambique
Mr. Reginald Chihota
Group Managing Director of Fidelity Life Assurance
Mr. Reginald Chihota
Group Managing Director of Fidelity Life Assurance
Reginald Chihota is a seasoned insurance executive and business leader with more than thirty years of experience in the life assurance and financial services industry. He currently serves as the Group Managing Director of Fidelity Life Assurance, one of Zimbabwe’s leading listed insurance groups. Over the course of his career, Reginald has developed extensive expertise in Life Assurance, Group Pensions, Medical Insurance, Employee Benefits, and Corporate Strategy. He has held senior leadership positions with both Old Mutual and Fidelity Life Assurance, two of the largest and most respected insurance organisations in Zimbabwe. His professional experience extends beyond Zimbabwe, having worked in Zambia, Angola, and South Sudan, while also undertaking strategic assignments in Malawi and Mozambique.
Mrs Gloria Zvaravanhu
Managing Director of Old Mutual Insurance Company, Zimbabwe
Mrs Gloria Zvaravanhu
Managing Director of Old Mutual Insurance Company, Zimbabwe
