LISTEN TO THE BEST IN INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE FIELD Event Speakers
Dr. Corneille KAREKEZI
Group MD / CEO - AFRICA RE
Dr. Corneille KAREKEZI
Group MD / CEO - AFRICA RE
Before joining Africa Re, he was its Board Member for 3 years, and he worked in various departments of insurance companies in Burundi and Rwanda and left the insurance industry as CEO of SONARWA (Rwanda).
Dr KAREKEZI holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in management (Burundi), postgraduate diplomas in Business administration (UK), a doctorate in business administration (France & Israel), as well as various executive courses certificates.
Since 1996, he has contributed significantly to the development of the insurance and reinsurance industries at the national, regional, continental, and global levels, including speaking in various seminars and conferences across the world.
Dr KAREKEZI has served and is still serving as Chairman and Board Member of various (re)insurance companies, financial institutions and charitable organizations.
He is currently a Member of the Executive Committee of AIO and a member of the Executive Council of the International Insurance Society (IIS).
Mr. GANIYU MUSA
MD/CEO - FBS Reinsurance
Mr. GANIYU MUSA
MD/CEO - FBS Reinsurance
Ganiyu is a seasoned management professional with nearly 40 years of diversified experience in insurance, reinsurance, audit, consulting, and financial management. He trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co.
He spent 19 years at Africa Re in key roles, including Deputy Managing Director and CFO. He led the creation of the risk management function, oversaw investment strategies, and was instrumental in establishing Retakaful subsidiary in Cairo, and reinsurance subsidiary in South Africa, where he served on the Board.
As the GMD/CEO, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, he successfully transformed the company from a Tier 3 to a Tier 1 insurer between 2012 and 2023. His strategic direction led to remarkable growth.
He served as the Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association and the Council of Bureaux, ECOWAS Brown Card, where he played significant roles in advancing the industry's growth and regional cooperation.
Currently, Ganiyu is the MD/CEO, FBS Reinsurance
Mr. FIKRU TSEGAYE WORDOFA
Acting CEO- Ethiopian Reinsurance
Mr. FIKRU TSEGAYE WORDOFA
Acting CEO- Ethiopian Reinsurance
Fikru is a Certified Insurance and reinsurance professional working in the insurance industry. Fikru has received CTP (Certified Takaful Practitioner), ARA (Associate Reinsurance Administrator), ACS (Associate Customer Service), FLMI (Fellow, Life Office Management), and an Executive Diploma in Islamic Banking and Finance. He has studied for, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts (MA) in Human Resources and Organizational Development (HROD), Master of Arts (MA) in Journalism and Communications (MAJ&C), MBA in Islamic Banking & Finance, Bachelor of Science (BSC) degree in Business Education, Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing Management, Diploma in marketing and sales; and Certificate in Insurance from Chartered Insurance Institute, England (CII, UK). He has received his first and master's degrees from Addis Ababa and other renowned universities. He has also served as a frequent lecturer at various local private colleges and universities, and academic institutions, including the Ethiopian Institute of Financial Studies (EIFS). Currently, he is studying for his Ph.D. and LLM.
His practical career spans over Two decades in the Insurance and Reinsurance Industry holding the positions of Executive Management. Currently, Fikru is serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer (A/CEO) of Ethiopian Reinsurance Share Company (Ethio-Re) and before that he has served as Executive Officer of Strategy and Business Development, and Secretary to the Board of Directors at the Ethiopian Reinsurance Share Company (Ethio-RE), efefcticve its establisgment period. He has also worked in the capacity of Manager, Business Development, and Corporate Affairs in Ethio-Re. Before joining Ethio-Re, he served as Director of Marketing and Strategic Management, Director of Microinsurance, Strategic Management Team Leader, Principal Researcher, and Principal Customer care and Underwriting and Claims section supervisor, at the state-owned Ethiopian Insurance Corporation (EIC).
He writes regularly for several magazines and Journals. He has contributed extensively to the world of Insurance and reinsurance and his publications appeared in various Business, insurance, and reinsurance Journals, magazines, and newspapers, including the Journal of African Insurance Organization (AIO), Organization of Eastern and Southern Africa Insurers (OESAI) and African reinsurance publications.
Fikru is the recipient of various international and national awards and recognitions including the 2020 Global “Emerging Professional in Takaful and Retakaful of the Year Award”, at the African Interest-Free Banking and Takaful Awards, and the AIO Best Book Author, First Rank Award (2023) for his book entitled Islamic Insurance (Takaful) In Ethiopia.
Dr. Anselmi Anselmi
Managing Director - Acclavia Group
Dr. Anselmi Anselmi
Managing Director - Acclavia GroupDr. Anselmi is an avid Researcher, Consultant, and Trainer for re/insurance players, regulators, and international organizations on planning, policy, strategy, governance, and leadership. His authorship of 11 books including the AIO Award Winning "Dealing with Climate Crisis in Africa - Strategies for Agriculture Insurance (2022)" showcases his commitment to addressing complex risks in Africa and finding solutions. Dr. Anselmi is the Secretary of AAIET, a member of AIO Microinsurance Working-Group, Insuresilience (GlobalShield) Gender Working-Group, Technical lead insurance tax reforms, National Agriculture Insurance Scheme, Insurance-Linked Securities, Bancassurance Champion, Insurance Lead for Tanzania Vision 2050 and Africa Insurance Regulatory Harmonization. Dr. Anselmi is a seasoned entrepreneur with a portfolio in finance, technology, education, real estate, and agriculture through Acclavia Group with Acclavia Insurance Brokers and Risk Consultants, iLink – MMS Payment Platform, Bimakwik - a pioneering insurtech company; Acclavia Nursery and Primary School and the Africa College of Insurance and Social Protection.
Mr. Mikir Shah
CEO - Africa Specialty Risks
Mr. Mikir Shah
CEO - Africa Specialty RisksMikir Shah is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at 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. HIKMET ABDELLA,
CEO - FSD Ethiopia
Mrs. HIKMET ABDELLA,
CEO - FSD Ethiopia
Hikmet Abdella is the Chief Executive Officer of FSD Ethiopia and the former Director General of the Accounting and Auditing Board of Ethiopia. She is widely recognised for her leadership as the founding Country Head of ACCA Ethiopia from 2004–2013.
She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRC), an independent Ethiopia-based non-profit think tank, and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Ethiopian Red Cross. In 2022, she was one of 50 members of the Destiny Ethiopia Initiative, contributing to the development of four possible future scenarios for Ethiopia in 2040. Currently, she is an active member of the Women Caucus within the Ethiopian Inclusive Dialogue (EID), hosted by CDRC.
Since 2016, Hikmet has been a member of the Female CEO Breakfast Club (FCBC), part of the Association of Women in Boldness (AWIB). Ms. Hikmet has been serving as Vice Chair on Board of Directors of Global Insurance S.C for over six years.
Mr. Andrew Selous
Director of International Gov’t Affairs & Reinsurance Advocacy - C&C Insurance Group
Mr. Andrew Selous
Director of International Gov’t Affairs & Reinsurance Advocacy - C&C Insurance Group
Andrew is a distinguished Business and Government affairs executive with a wealth of experience as a former Munich Re underwriter, UK Justice Minister, Member of the UK Parliament for 23 years and Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy.
His background spans the health, green economy, and defence sectors, where he has navigated complex political landscapes to achieve significant outcomes for the UK.
He launched the UK-South Africa investment task force and signed a strategic trade partnership between the UK and Mauritius.
He secured vital infrastructure investment for his constituency during his time in Parliament. Andrew's deep understanding of government operations and high-level networks make him an invaluable asset for driving growth and innovation.
He remains passionate about the power of insurance to enhance prosperity and reduce poverty.
Mrs. Christine Rodrigues
Partner at Bowmans
Mrs. Christine Rodrigues
Partner at Bowmans
Christine Rodrigues is a partner at Bowmans. She is one of South Africa’s best recognised insurance law regulatory experts. She was recently ranked in Chambers & Partners in Band 2. Christine advises on all aspects of insurance both in the life and non-life sector. In South Africa, Christine has an exceptional relationship with the insurance regulators.
Christine has a unique Pan-African practice. She advises many African insurance stakeholders on best practices and provides strategic advice for the purpose of developing and growing their market share in their relevant jurisdiction.
Prior to practice she was employed at one of South Africa’s biggest insurance groups and split her time working for the group’s Mozambican subsidiary. Therefore, she understands the challenges that the insurance sector faces on the continent.
Christine has B.Com and B.Com (Hons) degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and an LLB from the University of South Africa (UNISA). Her B.Com (Hons) was awarded first class with majors in Insurance and Risk Management.
She looks forward to participating at this year’s conference and encourages delegates to engage with her.
Mr. Graziano Brady
Senior Economist - AM Best
Mr. Graziano Brady
Senior Economist - AM Best
Graziano Brady is a senior economist on AM Best’s country risk team. His primary focus is on analysing the economic and political risks affecting economies around the world, and determining how these risks impact an insurer’s creditworthiness. Prior to joining AM Best, Graziano worked at NERA Economic Consulting’s energy practice, where he specialised in analysing energy markets to help quantify damages in international arbitration disputes.
Graziano is a CFA charter-holder, holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of St Andrews and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from the University of Oxford. He is also pursuing a part-time degree in artificial intelligence from the University of Bath.
Dr. Abiba Zakariah
Commissioner of Insurance, Ghana.
Dr. Abiba Zakariah
Commissioner of Insurance, Ghana.
She holds a Doctorate in Management from Swiss Management Centre, Geneva, Switzerland a master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Ghana, Legon. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, Institute of Risk Management Professionals Ghana and a Chartered Marketer, has attended several international courses, holds an LLB, and is a Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana.
Abiba has over thirty years of working experience and has served on several committees in the marketing and insurance industry. She was the Chief Operating Officer of WAICA Reinsurance Corporation PLC, an international reinsurance company, and before then the Group Chief Operations Officer of TG Holding LTD and, before then, the Managing Director of Ghana Re. She was a visiting lecturer at the West African Insurance Institute and a resource person at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Ghana Insurance College, amongst other institutions.
Dr. Abiba Zakariah is a member of the Board of SAHA Global. She chaired the Ghana Oil and Gas Board and served on the following Boards; Ghana Reinsurance, Hollard Insurance Ghana, NSIA Ghana Insurance Company, Priority Insurance Company, Unique Life, CDH group of Companies Ltd and the Ghana Agric Insurance Pool amongst others.
Abiba was the Chairperson of the Sierra Leone Insurance Industry Developmental Plan. She also served on the Ghana National Insurance Commission to support industry growth; the Agricultural Insurance Pool Steering and Technical Committees, the “No Premium No Cover” Committee and Reinsurance Committee.
As a motivational speaker, posts motivational quotes, has spoken on several institutional platforms including the University of Ghana, Legon and the SOS Hermann Gmeiner college in Ghana. She is the founder of "The Strategist Consortium," a management consultancy company offering solutions for effective and efficient performance through research and training. She is also the founder of ‘SilentScream’ an NGO for mental health through awareness.
She is an awardee of the Young Insurance Professionals (YIP) in Africa 2024, PILA’s top 50 women in insurance in Africa 2022, the Business Insurance Women to watch EMEA in 2019 and the Northern Youth for Peace and development in Ghana in 2017.
Mr Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare
Group Managing Director, Continental Reinsurance Holdings
Mr Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare
Group Managing Director, Continental Reinsurance Holdings
Mr Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare has over 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry. He started his professional insurance career with Zimbabwe Reinsurance Corporation in 1990. He then moved to Intermarket Reinsurance in 1999 and left as Managing Director in 2010 to join Continental Reinsurance Plc as the Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer and was later appointed Group Managing Director in 2021. Mr Nazare has held key positions in the insurance industry, including Chairman of the Organization of Eastern and Southern African Insurers (OESAI) – 2012 to 2015; Chairman of Zimbabwe Association of Reinsurance Offices, 2001-2004; Chairman of Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, 2005 to 2008 and Executive Committee/Board Member of East & Southern African Insurers & Reinsurers – 2002 to 2018 and also a member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria.
Mr. Nazare holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) Degree and a post-graduate Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Zimbabwe and is an admitted Legal Practitioner. He is an Associate in Reinsurance of the Insurance Institute of America and an Associate of the Insurance Institute of South Africa.
Mr. Jonas Mushosho
CEO - AfrexInsure
Mr. Jonas Mushosho
CEO - AfrexInsure
Jonas is an experienced business leader with experience in both the private and public sectors; his experience spans over 30 years. He has led multinational portfolios in different lines of business, particularly in financial services. He is known for his business knowledge, outstanding leadership, experience, execution, and track record of turnaround of several distressed businesses.
Jonas is currently the CEO and Principal Officer of Afrexim Insurance Management Company (AfrexInsure) a subsidiary of Afreximbank. AfrexInsure is a Pan African specialty insurance entity that seeks to develop and make specialty insurance more readily accessible and available on the African content in order to retain premiums in Africa and support trade and trade related investments across the continent. Prior to joining AfrexInsure Jonas was Managing Director for Old Mutual Rest of Africa, heading operations in 12 countries in Southern, Eastern and Western Africa comprising of five different lines of business, he also doubled as Group CEO for Old Mutual Zimbabwe Limited. Before this, he held several roles, such as MD, CFO, General Manager, among others in Old Mutual. Jonas also worked in several roles up to Deputy Commissioner for Taxes for the Department of Taxes in Zimbabwe. Jonas is a former board member and chairman of several entities, currently, he sits on the boards of Delta Corporation Ltd, Zimbabwe Open University, Equity Group Holdings Plc, AfrexInsure and Brooks & Oracles.
Jonas is a Chartered Accountant (CA)Z, (CA) SA and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. He holds an MBA (UZ), a Bachelor of Accountancy (UZ), and a B Compt Hons (UNISA). He also holds several other qualifications, such as the International Directors Program and Channel Leadership Program (both from Insead Business School, France), General Management Program (Harvard Business School, Massachusetts), Old Mutual Global Leadership Program (London Business School, England), and a Management Development Program (UCT Graduate Business School).
Mr. Henri Théodore BAYOUAK
Chief Executive Officer, Chanas Assurances
Mr. Henri Théodore BAYOUAK
Chief Executive Officer, Chanas Assurances
Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of Chanas Assurances S.A., Mr. Henri Théodore BAYOUAK stands as an iconic figure in African insurance. His path of excellence began at the Technical University of Berlin, where he earned a specialization in Mathematics Applied to Finance and Insurance (Dipl. Math. OEC.), followed by positions at Skandia/Old Mutual and AXA in Germany, where he developed advanced expertise in actuarial science, risk management, and audit.
In late 2007, he dedicated his expertise to developing the African insurance sector by joining the ACTIVA group in Cameroon. As Head of the Financial Insurance and Micro-Insurance Commission of ASAC (Association of Insurance Companies of Cameroon), he drives sector innovation, particularly through the development of micro-insurance solutions and parametric agricultural insurance products.
His dual expertise, combining international technical mastery with a deep understanding of African challenges, establishes him as a key player in the transformation of the continental insurance sector.
Mr. Clement Chamboko
Managing Director: Business Development, GCR Ratings, Africa.
Mr. Clement Chamboko
Managing Director: Business Development, GCR Ratings, Africa.
Clement has vast knowledge of regulatory and market dynamics across the continent and has a deep passion and appreciation for Africa.
In his current role, Clement oversees the expansion of GCR Ratings' coverage and the growing participation of the rating agency in capital markets across Africa.
Clement has had a stellar career spanning almost two and a half decades, cutting across corporate and investment banking, business banking as well as retail banking.
He has held key positions in leading financial institutions across Africa, including Ecobank, Bank One, Nedbank, Commerzbank, Barclays, Absa, and HSBC
Mr. Philip Lopokoiyit
Chief Executive Officer- ICEA LION
Mr. Philip Lopokoiyit
Chief Executive Officer- ICEA LION
Philip Lopokoiyit is an accomplished finance and risk management professional with over 20 years of experience in multinational companies. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ICEA LION General Insurance Company Limited, in addition to his role as Acting CEO of ICEA LION Insurance Holdings Ltd.
Philip also holds a Non-Executive Director position at NCBA Group and is a member of the PSI (Principles of Sustainable Insurance) Board and UNEP FI's Leadership Council.
Philip has extensive expertise in Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Internal Controls, and Corporate Governance. He has previously served in various senior management roles and as a Non-Executive Director in several organizations.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), and the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants.
He holds a B.Com (Hons.) in Accounting from the University of Nairobi and an MBA from Warwick Business School, UK.
Mr. Abdul-Rasheed AKOLADE
Assistant Director, Underwriting and Marketing
Mr. Abdul-Rasheed AKOLADE
Assistant Director, Underwriting and Marketing
Mr. Abdul-Rasheed AKOLADE is an experienced Life Insurance and Reinsurance Underwriter. He was Head of Life Business Operations at Continental Reinsurance Plc, Nigeria between 2006 and 2013. In 2014, he became the Deputy Director-General of West African Insurance Institute, Banjul-The Gambia from where he joined Africa Re in December 2014. He is presently an Assistant Director, Underwriting and Marketing (Life Operations) with African Reinsurance Corporation, Lagos, Nigeria.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Management. He followed Life and Pensions Specialist Route in his Associateship Diploma Professional Examinations of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. Mr. Akolade holds a Higher National Diploma in Insurance from Lagos State Polytechnic (now Lagos State University of Science and Technology) and from Al-Hikmah University, Nigeria as well as an MBA from EDHEC Business School, France.
He has four academic publications to his credit and he is a co-author of the Insurance Textbook for the Nigerian Senior Secondary School Students published by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria in 2013 and Modern Insurance Practice (A Textbook for Tertiary Institutions) published by the Profesional Insurance Ladies Association, Nigeria in 2023.
He has presented many life (re)insurance seminar papers both locally and internationally.
Mrs. Linet Odera
Regional and Technical Lead - UNDP
Mrs. Linet Odera
Regional and Technical Lead - UNDP
Linet is a finance and development professional currently working as a Regional and Technical Lead at UNDP’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility based out of Pretoria.
Her role includes work on climate and disaster risk finance and insurance in Africa and provides senior level leadership and representation in the region providing strategic and technical leadership guiding implementation of five thematic workstreams; sovereign and sub-sovereign risk financing, inclusive insurance, integration of insurance into policy and development frameworks, insurance for natural capital and biodiversity, and insurance for investment.
She has longstanding experience in the African insurance market and was previously the Secretary General at the Organisation of Eastern and Southern Africa Insurers responsible where she was responsible for designing and implementing the organisation’s strategy on a sustainable Sub-Saharan Insurance Market.
Prior to that she was the Director, Business Development - East & Central Africa, at Afro-Asian Insurance Services, a Lloyd’s of London Reinsurance Broker where she was serving as the Head of the Nairobi Liaison office.
She has previous working experiences in technical underwriting, actuarial valuations, policy administration, business and strategy development. Linet has a B.Sc. in Actuarial Sciences, an MBA from Strathmore Business School and attended her Senior Executive Program at Harvard Business School.
Mrs. Liz Booth
Editor, Africa Ahead
Mrs. Liz Booth
Editor, Africa Ahead
