SPEAKERS 2025
Aggrey Mulumbi
Managing Director and Principal Officer
KCB Bancassurance Intermediary
Aggrey is a Corporate Business Executive with over 25 years’ experience in senior management
role. He has also served in the Boards of professional bodies in the Financial services industry.
Currently the Managing Director and Principal Officer of KCB Bancassurance Intermediary
Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of KCB Group; Aggrey is the current Chairman of the
Bancassurance Association of Kenya. This is the market association that brings together all the
entities that are engaged in Bancassurance business in Kenya. He is also a member of the Public
Relations and Liaison Board Committee of the Insurance Training and Education Trust, the body
which manages the College of Insurance.
In the past Aggrey has served as the Director of the Insurance Institute of Kenya, during which
time he brought together the Insurance Institutes of the various countries in the East African
Region to form the East Africa Insurance Institutes Association, of which he was the Founding
and First Chairman. He served in the Pan EAC Financial Sector Service Deepening Committee.
He draws his experience from both the Banking and insurance industries. He served as a Senior
Manager, Investments and Bancassurance services at Commercial Bank of Africa (now NCBA),
the East Africa Cluster Head of Bancassurance at Standard Chartered Bank, General Manager
Life Business at Jubilee Insurance, General Manager and Principal Officer at APA Life Assurance
Company, Executive Director and Head of Bancassurance at Barclays Bank Kenya (now ABSA
Bank), and is currently the Managing Director and Principal Officer of KCB Bancassurance
Intermediary Limited.
Aggrey holds an honours Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce (Insurance Option) from the
University of Nairobi, and a Master in Business Administration from Strathmore University. He is
a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, Kenya and UK and is a PhD candidate at the
African International University
Aliya Khanbai
Tribe Lead Wealth & Insurance
Safaricom PLC
Aliya is the Tribe Lead- Wealth & Insurance within Financial Services at Safaricom. Financial Services in the home of MPESA and team develops services and solutions for consumers, enterprises, and corporates leveraging M-PESA. Specifically Aliya is responsible for driving strategy, execution, innovation and growth of the wealth management and insurance business.
Aliya joined Safaricom in February 2024 but prior to that has spent close to 20 years in the banking sector. Most recently she served as the Head of High Net Worth & Affluent banking at Stanbic Bank a position she held for 5 years focusing on customer experience and tailored propositions to meet the needs of these customers. These ranged from local onshore investments, offshore investments, real estate finance as well as traditional banking products. Before this, she was in the corporate & investment banking business both at Stanbic Bank as well as Standard Chartered Bank for more than 12 years cumulatively.
Aliya is passionate about the transformation of financial services for the community and has built a strong track record of transforming individuals and businesses on their respective growth journeys.
She hold as Bachelor in Finance & Administration with a minor in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario and numerous financial services accreditations.
Anne Kamau,
Co-Founder and Executive Director
AB – Etheos, Kenya
Anne is an insurance professional with over 15 years’ experience designing, prototyping and managing distribution of inclusive insurance in Kenya and other Sub-Saharan countries. Anne has a deep perspective and understanding of the African microinsurance customer, gained from years of research and hands-on experience designing insurance solutions for them. She is a Co-Founder of AB Consultants, a consultancy firm in Kenya, and also a Co-Founder of CoverApp, an InsurTech solution that makes insurance accessible through mobile phones.
Byron O’Connor
Director
Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc
Dipankar has worked with four major Insurance groups / companies in his 37 years of association
with the Insurance Industry and has been in leadership roles as head of business for over 30 years.
Dipankar has sound knowledge of all Insurance products. He has experience of leading all forms of
distribution for an insurance Company and driving top line growth profitably. He has studied
Economics and Management from Delhi University, India and is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of
India. He has secured a PhD in Business Administration from AMU, India.
Dipankar is the Chief Executive Officer of APA Insurance Company Kenya since July 2024. He was
the CEO and Director of Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Company of Tanzania. He has been with
Jubilee Tanzania since June 2017 as CEO. Dipankar was also a Director with the Jubilee Health
Insurance Company, Tanzania. The companies where he had worked had won many awards and
accolades for its excellent customer service and Innovation under his leadership.
He worked with the RSA group for 17 years 2001-17. He was Country Head at Royal Sundaram
Alliance Insurance Company, India. Responsible for delivering consistent top line growth at budgeted
combined operating ratios and constantly improving underwriting result at the national level. He
was also responsible for getting new national level relationships and tie ups for the Company’s India
operations. At RSA he had also worked on various Insurance related projects for the company at
Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Prior to this, he had worked with a reputed Government
owned General insurer, Oriental Insurance for thirteen years (1987-2001
Dipankar Acharya
Chief Executive Officer
APA Insurance Company
Dipankar has worked with four major Insurance groups / companies in his 37 years of association
with the Insurance Industry and has been in leadership roles as head of business for over 30 years.
Dipankar has sound knowledge of all Insurance products. He has experience of leading all forms of
distribution for an insurance Company and driving top line growth profitably. He has studied
Economics and Management from Delhi University, India and is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of
India. He has secured a PhD in Business Administration from AMU, India.
Dipankar is the Chief Executive Officer of APA Insurance Company Kenya since July 2024. He was
the CEO and Director of Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Company of Tanzania. He has been with
Jubilee Tanzania since June 2017 as CEO. Dipankar was also a Director with the Jubilee Health
Insurance Company, Tanzania. The companies where he had worked had won many awards and
accolades for its excellent customer service and Innovation under his leadership.
He worked with the RSA group for 17 years 2001-17. He was Country Head at Royal Sundaram
Alliance Insurance Company, India. Responsible for delivering consistent top line growth at budgeted
combined operating ratios and constantly improving underwriting result at the national level. He
was also responsible for getting new national level relationships and tie ups for the Company’s India
operations. At RSA he had also worked on various Insurance related projects for the company at
Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Prior to this, he had worked with a reputed Government owned General insurer, Oriental Insurance for thirteen years (1987-2001
Diana Rono
Regional Coordinator for Africa & Middle
UNEP FI
Diana is the Regional Coordinator for Africa & Middle East for V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility under Principles for Sustainable Insurance in the UNEP Finance Initiative. She is experienced in developing climate smart insurance solutions and building strategic partnerships key in delivering solutions for building resilience and decarbonization projects. She has slightly over 16 years of experience in Non-Life Insurance with various companies in the Kenyan Insurance Industry. Prior to joining UNEP FI she was the Underwriting Manager and Business Development Manager at Fidelity Shield Ins Co.Ltd in Kenya where she was instrumental in the co-insurance uptake of the DRIVE project for livestock insurance run by ZEP Re and funded by the World Bank. She also previously worked amongst others with UAP (now Old Mutual) in the commercialization of Kilimo Salama an agricultural index insurance product to cover small holder farmers from the effects of climate change. She has a Master of Arts (International Relations) from USIU-Africa, Bachelor of Commerce (Insurance Option) from University of Nairobi and Advanced Diploma in Insurance (ACII) from the Chartered Insurance Institute of London, UK. She is a member of the Insurance Institute of Kenya and the Kenya Women In Insurance Network.
Eric Niyongabo
Director of ICT and Innovation
Prime Life Insurance
Eric Niyongabo currently serves as the Director of ICT and Innovation at Prime Life Insurance, boasting extensive expertise in both the insurance and technology domains. With a proven history of successfully leading IT/Digital projects for over a decade, he is adept at utilizing innovative and modern technology to address customers’ challenges.
Eric’s background includes significant experience in overseeing IT services, and operations, as well as designing and leading the implementation of IT projects. His proficiency extends to roles such as a Web and Network Administrator at NAEB and an ICT and Marketing Officer at FERWAFA before joining Prime Life Insurance.
Educationally, Eric holds an MBA in International Business and a BSc in IT Management, complemented by globally recognized certifications such as PMP®, ITIL®, and Cert CII.
As a leader, Eric excels in motivating teams and cultivating digital mindsets toward embracing continuous change. His strategic approach involves synergizing technological expertise with business acumen to drive the digital roadmap within the competitive landscape of the insurance industry
Gibert Bagoole
Senior Manager in the Cybersecurity
KPMG.
Gilbert is a Senior Manager in the Cybersecurity practice at KPMG. He helps clients across multiple sectors to protect their information assets. Gilbert is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and a Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISA). He is passionate about staying up-to-date on the latest security threats and trends, which allows him to provide proactive solutions that keep clients ahead of the curve.
Iara Sousa
Africa Implementation Officer
UNEP FI
Iara Sousa is the Africa Implementation Officer for the Principles for Sustainable Insurance(PSI), based in Maputo, Mozambique; she oversees the awareness, implementation, and development of sustainable insurance initiatives across the continent in collaboration with the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI). With over ten years of experience in the African insurance industry, Iara holds a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Saad Dahlab University in Algeria, diplomas in Inclusive Insurance and Sustainable Finance from the Frankfurt School, and is a Chartered Insurer through the Chartered Insurance Institute of the UK. Passionate about gender equality and sustainability, Iara has led initiatives such as Young Insurance Professionals and Women’s Leadership in Insurance Africa. She founded Mozambique Women for Inclusive Insurance to empower women and girls facing social and climate-related challenges, driven by her deep commitment to creating meaningful change across Africa.
Jason Hartell,
Senior Underwriter
Global Parametrics
(CelsiusPro Group company)
Jason Hartell, Senior Underwriter of Global Parametrics (a CelsiusPro Group company) has been
recognised as Parametric Underwriter of the Year by The Insurer from Reuters, at the 2024 Parametric
Insurer Conference and Awards in London.
The awards is in recognition of Jason’s strategic and innovative contributions to the company’s and
industry’s commitment to vigorously close the protection gap for the poor and vulnerable.
As Senior Underwriter, Jason has leveraged his years of experience in risk assessment and index
development to design and advocate for parametric products and risk transfer solutions that deliver
meaningful solutions for at-risk populations. Jason has consistently worked to improve, innovate, and
advocate for drought and heat wave indices, areas where he firmly believes the industry has significant
untapped potential in delivering response and resiliency solutions to address the increasing severity of
climate anomalies.
Water Balance Index®
Global Parametrics’ Water Balance Index® (WBI), developed and structured by Jason, serves as the
CelsiusPro Group’s cornerstone drought solution. Over a multi-year collaboration with the social
enterprise One Acre Fund, which provides financing and agricultural services to farmers in nine African
countries, Jason refined the product to incorporate a ‘continuous time-dynamic trigger,’ simplifying the
alignment of the drought index with critical crop phenology. This index is now widely deployed among the
company’s development impact clients, including Tear Fund, Vision Fund International, One Acre Fund,
and others, consistently delivering high-impact and reliable results.
Heat Emergency Solution
At Jason’s initiative, a heat emergency solution for populated areas (HEPP) was developed. Heat wave
events and their impact on human health and productivity are expected to increase as the planet warms.
One iteration of this index is currently employed by the Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) to protect impoverished
working women in India’s largest cities during extreme heat waves, with financial backing from Howden.
Collaborative approaches – USAID, Africa Risk Capacity, World Food Programme
Jason believes in collaboration to tackle the toughest challenges. For example, he provided full
underwriting support for a USAID-backed flood disaster mitigation project in Malawi and Mozambique,
structured by Flood Base, with capacity provided by ARC Ltd. Furthermore, Jason’s underwriting guidance
positioned the Natural Disaster Fund managed by the Global Parametrics team as a market leader in the
Sahel’s Climate Catastrophe Layer Reinsurance program for ARC Ltd and the World Food Programme.
Impact – Beneficiaries and portfolio growth
Jason’s work as a parametric underwriter supports the position of Global Parametrics – CelsiusPro Group
at the forefront of the industry’s e_orts to meet the evolving need for thoughtful, targeted, and rigorously
vetted parametric solutions in underserved markets. Often, this contribution is in the context of his
responsibility for structuring complex multi-exposure, multi-peril portfolio programs, including the longrunning Vision Fund International ARDIS progra
Karimi Nthiga
Regional Coordinator for Africa
Microinsurance Network
Kenya
Lesley is an experienced and multi-lingual international financial services executive. He has worked both operational and strategic roles in Zimbabwe, Bermuda, Singapore, France, the
United Kingdom and in a Pan-African (re)insurance company.
He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of African Risk Capacity “ARC” Ltd, based in
Nairobi, Kenya. ARC Ltd is a specialist (re)insurance company operating in 35 countries in
Africa, providing parametric insurance coverage against natural catastrophes such as floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, and outbreaks & epidemics. Since joining ARC in 2020, he has increased revenues 6x by introducing coverage against new perils, launching operations in new countries, and serving new client segments.
Prior to joining ARC, he spent close to a decade with the AXA Group, in both operational roles in the subsidiaries in Singapore and the UK as well as in strategic roles at the Head
Office in France. In his last assignment at AXA from 2018 to 2020, he was the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Specialty Risks, a Lloyds of London Syndicate providing (re)insurance for corporate and specialty clients across all major lines of business such as marine, aviation, construction, political risks & credit and political violence & terrorism. He built the largest book of African risks at Lloyd’s through partnerships with Africa Re, African Trade Insurance and AXA’s African subsidiaries. He led the integration of the company into the Catlin Syndicate, following AXA’s acquisition of XL Catlin.
From 2016 to 2017, he was based in Paris as the Head of Corporate Development, responsible for strategy and corporate finance (M&A transactions, strategic alliances and partnerships) at AXA Global Asset Management (AXA GAM). AXA GAM was the holding
company of the AXA Group’s €1.3 trillion asset management activities, conducted through AXA Investment Managers in Paris and Alliance Bernstein in New York.
Before his appointment at AXA GAM, he was the Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Chairman CEO of the AXA Group in Paris, where he led strategic projects across AXA’s worldwide operations, particularly, the expansion of the AXA Group into Africa with acquisitions in Nigeria, Egypt, and investments in Africa Re and MicroEnsure. He joined the AXA Group in 2013 as the Chief Investment Officer of AXA Singapore, responsible for managing US$3 billion in investments, as well as the treasury and capital management activities for the Singapore based life and general insurance companies.
From 2008 to 2013, he was Vice President, Investments at AXIS Capital in Bermuda, as part of an institutional investment team managing a US$15 billion multi-asset portfolio, comprising, fixed income, equities, and alternative investments.
He began his career in 2006 with Deloitte, where he had various assignments in corporate finance, audit and tax advisory.
Lesley was educated at Christ Church, University of Oxford in England and at the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) in France. He is a CFA charter holder, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales, an Associate in Reinsurance with the CPCU Society and a member of the Institute of Directors
Lesley Ndlovu
Chief Executive Officer
African Risk Capacity “ARC” Ltd
,
Lesley is an experienced and multi-lingual international financial services executive. He has worked both operational and strategic roles in Zimbabwe, Bermuda, Singapore, France, the
United Kingdom and in a Pan-African (re)insurance company.
He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of African Risk Capacity “ARC” Ltd, based in
Nairobi, Kenya. ARC Ltd is a specialist (re)insurance company operating in 35 countries in
Africa, providing parametric insurance coverage against natural catastrophes such as floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, and outbreaks & epidemics. Since joining ARC in 2020, he has increased revenues 6x by introducing coverage against new perils, launching operations in new countries, and serving new client segments.
Prior to joining ARC, he spent close to a decade with the AXA Group, in both operational roles in the subsidiaries in Singapore and the UK as well as in strategic roles at the Head
Office in France. In his last assignment at AXA from 2018 to 2020, he was the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Specialty Risks, a Lloyds of London Syndicate providing (re)insurance for corporate and specialty clients across all major lines of business such as marine, aviation, construction, political risks & credit and political violence & terrorism. He built the largest book of African risks at Lloyd’s through partnerships with Africa Re, African Trade Insurance and AXA’s African subsidiaries. He led the integration of the company into the Catlin Syndicate, following AXA’s acquisition of XL Catlin.
From 2016 to 2017, he was based in Paris as the Head of Corporate Development, responsible for strategy and corporate finance (M&A transactions, strategic alliances and partnerships) at AXA Global Asset Management (AXA GAM). AXA GAM was the holding
company of the AXA Group’s €1.3 trillion asset management activities, conducted through AXA Investment Managers in Paris and Alliance Bernstein in New York.
Before his appointment at AXA GAM, he was the Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Chairman CEO of the AXA Group in Paris, where he led strategic projects across AXA’s worldwide operations, particularly, the expansion of the AXA Group into Africa with acquisitions in Nigeria, Egypt, and investments in Africa Re and MicroEnsure. He joined the AXA Group in 2013 as the Chief Investment Officer of AXA Singapore, responsible for managing US$3 billion in investments, as well as the treasury and capital management activities for the Singapore based life and general insurance companies.
From 2008 to 2013, he was Vice President, Investments at AXIS Capital in Bermuda, as part of an institutional investment team managing a US$15 billion multi-asset portfolio, comprising, fixed income, equities, and alternative investments.
He began his career in 2006 with Deloitte, where he had various assignments in corporate finance, audit and tax advisory.
Lesley was educated at Christ Church, University of Oxford in England and at the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) in France. He is a CFA charter holder, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales, an Associate in Reinsurance with the CPCU Society and a member of the Institute of Directors
Liberty Nobula
Founder
WHL Consultants,
Liberty Nobula, Founder of WHL Consultants, leads the execution of the firm’s strategy across its 3 regional offices in South Africa, Botswana and Eswatini. He delivers innovative risk-transfer solutions and strategic insights to industry leaders, driving transformative change in health, disability, and life insurance.
He is also a published author, and has written the following books: • “Artificial Intelligence in InsurTech: Disability & Life Insurance Innovation” (2020) • “Disability Insurance Simplified” (2016)
Liberty has been a featured speaker at numerous high-profile industry events, demonstrating his expertise among C-level insurance leaders.
Liberty has been featured on Africa’s largest business tv station, CNBC Africa, sharing insights into the South African insurance industry. He has also served as a Local Director for the Founder Institute, supporting early-stage innovation, and was honoured as a Lightico Insurance Innovator
Livingstone Makori
Head of Bancassurance Sales & Business Development
KCB Bancassurance Intermediary
Professional Bio: Livingstone Makori
Livingstone Makori is an award-winning business leader and expert in insurance, bancassurance, training, and talent development. Currently serving as the Head of Bancassurance Sales and Business Development at KCB Bancassurance Intermediary, he plays a pivotal role in driving growth and innovation within one of the leading financial institutions in the region. Recognized as the Business Leader of the Year (2024) and recipient of the Social Impact Award (2023), Livingstone brings over a decade of experience in empowering professionals and organizations to thrive in the evolving insurance landscape.
As a Ph.D. scholar in Leadership and Governance, Livingstone combines academic rigor with hands-on expertise to address the challenges and opportunities of the digital transformation era. His academic credentials, including an MBA and BCom specializing in Risk Management and Insurance, are complemented by certifications as a Career Analyst, Life Purpose Coach, and Digital Marketer, underscoring his holistic approach to workforce development and leadership.
In his role at KCB Bancassurance Intermediary, Livingstone leads initiatives focused on aligning business development strategies with emerging industry trends, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and equipping teams with the skills necessary for future success. He is actively engaged in designing mentorship programs and aligning talent strategies with organizational goals, ensuring sustainable growth and innovation.
A member of global professional bodies, including the Career Development Association of Kenya (CDAK), Asian Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA), and the International Association of Education and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG), Livingstone stays ahead of global trends in career and industry development. These affiliations enable him to bring cutting-edge insights and best practices to the insurance and bancassurance sectors.
Livingstone’s mission is to cultivate leadership, empower talent, and drive transformative change. With his award-winning contributions and passion for mentorship, he is shaping the future of the insurance and bancassurance industries, preparing organizations and individuals to seize opportunities and tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
Lovemore Gomera
CEO and Secretary of Governance and Accountancy
Institute in Zimbabwe
A Global Business leader, corporate governance Expert and Financial services Marketer with 35 years’ experience in local and International Organisations.
He is a Seasoned Insurance and Risk Practitioner, Registered Public Accountant, and Certified Internal Control Professional.
Lovemore is currently the CEO and Secretary of The Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe. (CGI Zimbabwe).
He sits on several local and International Boards.
- Board member at Old Mutual Insurance (OMICO) where he Chairs the Risk and Compliance Committee.
- He Chairs the Zimbabwe Republic Police Staff College’s Board of Governors.
- Board Member of the International Insurance Society Board (IIS) as Ambassador for Africa.
- Previous CEO & Country Head at Metropolitan Zambia and Tanzania subsidiary Companies of MMI International South Africa. Lovemore also sat on MMI regional; Board as MMI International Chief Commercial Officer for East Africa.
- He was Managing Director of Alexander Forbes Risk Services Zimbabwe and Willis International Country Manager.
- Had working stints with Marsh Zimbabwe as the Marketing and Business Development Director responsible for Marsh Zimbabwe growth expansion for both short term and Employee Benefits companies.
- Also `worked for Zurich (Eagle Insurance Company) for 12 years heading Operations, Marketing and Business Development.
- He is a visiting lecturer in various areas of Finance, insurance, Marketing as well as strategy, and corporate governance.
- Dr Gomera is a seasoned conference presenter, mentor and life coach.
- An avid Golfer and Philanthropist.
Lynn Obwanda
Head of Statutory & Legal Affairs
Association of Kenya Insurers- AKI
Ms. Lynn Obwanda is an accomplished legal professional with 17 years of experience in corporate regulations, governance, and legal affairs within both the public and private sectors. She currently serves as the Head of Statutory & Legal Affairs at the Association of Kenya Insurers. Ms. Obwanda is a respected member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS).
Her expertise spans corporate governance, compliance strategies, contract management, strategic business planning, and dispute avoidance and resolution. She is also skilled in coordinating and preparing Board meetings to ensure alignment with legal and corporate objectives.
Ms. Obwanda offers invaluable legal counsel to the insurance industry on regulatory matters, providing insights on insurance regulations and legal interpretations affecting the sector. Her involvement extends to shaping key policies influencing the insurance industry, including the National Insurance Policy and the East African Insurance Policy. Additionally, she is a strong advocate for data protection compliance within the industry.
s in I
Mnyindo Tairo
Founder
Le’Risque Africa Agency
Mnyindo is the founder of Le’Risque Africa Agency, a
fully digital, virtual insurance agency that is
revolutionizing how insurance services are delivered
across Kenya.
With over 95% of Le’Risque Africa’s sales conducted
online, Mnyindo has positioned her company at the
forefront of digital transformation within the insurance
industry, embracing technology to make insurance
accessible, efficient, and customer-centric.
Her forward-thinking approach has earned her
recognition as a top performer, ranking number 12 in
life insurance agents in Kenya at the prestigious
Association of Kenyan Insurance Awards 2023 within 3
years of operations due to digital strategies.
As a 2023 and 2024 MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table)
qualifier, she is recognized globally for her excellence,
integrity, and innovation in the life insurance space.
Mnyindo’s expertise extends beyond traditional
insurance models—she is a visionary pushing the
boundaries of what’s possible in the digital age. By
leveraging technology and creating a seamless virtual
experience, she has redefined how African families and
businesses protect their futures.
Mulenga C Mutati FIA |
Group Ceo And Chief Actuary, Gralix Group & President Actuarial Society of Zambia
Built Actuarial Consulting (Gralix Actuarial Consulting Ltd), Investment Advisory (Gralix Capital Ltd) and Software
Development (Gralix Technologies Ltd) firms from the ground up, by leveraging my international experience and
expertise to add value to the Zambian financial services market. Key achievements to date include:
o Engaged as IFRS 17 Implementation lead and appointed Statutory Actuary for 10 insurance firms,
including the state-owned Insurance ZSIC Life and ZSIC General Insurance (ZSIC GI), as well as private
insurers including Professional Insurance Corporation Zambia (PICZ), Finsbury Reinsurance, Klapton
Reinsurance, Klapton Insurance Zambia (KIZ), Klapton Insurance Company (KIC), Advantage Insurance,
Golden Lotus Insurance, Lion General Insurance, and Veritas General Insurance.
o Appointed Actuarial Expert for DNR Partners CPA (Rwanda) and all other DNR Partners network firms
across Africa to review the Technical Provisions and IFRS 17 returns for all its insurance clients.
o Appointed Signing actuary for the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research’s defined
contribution pension scheme. This role includes the provision of recommendations of appropriate
bonuses applicable to members’ funds as well as the suitability of the scheme’s newly adopted
investment strategy.
o Developed risk management policy for insurers within the Zambian market aimed at managing their
respective underwriting and operational risks
o Conducted IFRS 17 training, in conjunction with the Insurance Association of Zambia and Zambia Institute
of Chartered Accountants, for executives across all the life and general insurance companies operating in
Zambia.
o Led the development of credit risk impairment model in line with IFRS 9 guidelines for the largest general
insurer and the largest reinsurer in Zambia respectively.
o Led the development of IFRS 9 compliant probability of default models for the determination of Expected
Credit Loss (ECLs) for Bonds and Treasury Bills using a Vasicek single parameter framework.
o Led the creation of a portfolio optimisation model for Investment advisory firm operating in Zambia.
o Appointed investment advisor for the Zambian National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) fund valued
in excess of US$3 billion.
o Advised the Pensions and Insurance Authority (PIA) on an appropriate Solvency framework to be
implemented within the insurance industry.
o Trained trustees of pensions funds in Zambia on the following topics: Investment strategies for higher
returns and sustainability; Economic environment analysis and investment climate; Portfolio rebalancing,
asset allocation, and risk management; Reviewing benchmarks and performance assessment.
o Advised the state-owned insurer ZSIC Life Insurance (ZSIC Life) on optimal investment for portfolio valued
at US$43m.
o Called upon by NAPSA Director General and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social
Security to provide recommendations to their respective institutions on the proposed reform options,
aimed at enabling members of NAPSA the ability to withdraw part of their accrued contributions as a
lump sum, during their working life prior to attaining pensionable age.
o Collaborated with KPMG Zambia to develop a Capitalisation Fund valuation model for the Zambia
Development Agency’s fund valued at US$150m, to provide potential investors a view on expected
return.
o Provided insurance consulting services to Eden Villas as part of their capital raising strategy through the
issue of Zambia’s first ever Sukuk bond which has been structured in accordance with Shariah law.
o Led the design and model build of a savings product for Emerald Finance Limited which provided an
indication of applicable rates of return to be provided to clients of the saving product and an automated
indication of the different rates applicable in the event that a depositor withdraws their savings over a
one-year period.
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALTUS FINANCIAL SERVICES – LUSAKA Jan 2024 – Present
o Provided governance and risk oversight of the financial and operational aspects of Altus Financial
Services, a leading Microfinance institution.
PRESIDENT, ACTUARIAL SOCIETY OF ZAMBIA – LUSAKA Jun 2021 – Present
o Led the development of the Actuaries bill, submitted to the ministry of labour and security, aimed at
building compliance requirements for actuaries in the Zambian insurance industry.
o Engaged by the PIA to carry out a peer review of the statutory actuarial reports submitted to the
authority for Defined Benefit schemes.
o Raise awareness of the profession by increasing visibility, both online and physically, bolstering the
society’s influence within the Zambian insurance and pensions market.
o Called upon by the PIA’s deputy registrar to provided technical input into “The Insurance (Capital
Adequacy and Solvency) Regulations, 2022” during the initial drafting stage, as well as in the stakeholder
consultative meetings.
o Developed a cross border mentorship program by leveraging my international network to connect local
students to qualified actuaries internationally.
o Partnering and collaborating with peer professional services societies such as the Insurance Association
of Zambia, Zambia Institute for Chartered Accountants, and the Banker’s Association of Zambia.
Philip Thorne
Claims Fraud and Investigation Services
Sedgwick Africa
• Philip has twenty-eight years of Policing &
Forensic Investigations experience.
• He began his career during 1996 as a
police officer with the Hertfordshire
Constabulary of the British Police Services.
• During 2000 Philip emigrated to South
Africa and joined an investigation
company as a commercial crime
investigator, collecting and verifying
evidence for use in criminal and civil
proceedings.
• From 2016, Philip became involved the
investigation of Insurance Claims and a
variety of corruption and fraud cases for
State Owned Entities and private
companies.
• During 2021, Philip joined Sedgwick as the
Claims Fraud and Investigation Services
lead for Southern Africa.
Specific experience includes
• Investigation of commercial, organised,
corporate or ‘white-collar crime’ and
presenting evidence to the police for
criminal prosecutions.
• Investigation of fraud, theft, robbery,
corruption, insolvency matters, extortion,
kidnapping including high value theft of
precious metals, art, jewellery, gold,
money and cash-in-transit heists.
• Interviews, obtaining depositions and
affidavits.
• Evidence collection and interaction with
legal representatives, the police and state
prosecutors for obtaining and formulating
evidence for criminal & civil proceedings.
• Identifying potential civil and criminal
recovery prospects for Insurers and
victims of crime.
• Analysing and quantifying financial crime
in accordance with the prevailing
legislation and the Criminal Procedure Act.
• Fact verification and investigation of losses
associated with crime, such as robbery,
burglary, arson, fraud and theft.
• Research, integrity verification, tracing
and identification of individuals and
business
Reuben Mwaura,
Chief Executive Officer
Vision Fund,Kenya.
Mr. Mwaura is currently the Chief Executive Officer of VisionFund Kenya Limited, a position he has held since December 2022. He has held senior management positions in the Micro Finance, Technology and Banking sectors for over 15 years. He is the immediate former VisionFund Kenya Chief Operations Officer. Prior to this, Reuben worked with banking technology organizations where he managed various banking digital transformation projects in Africa and Asia. He holds an MBA in Strategic Management and a Degree in Business Information Technology and accreditations from ITIL, Africa School of Microfinance (SAM), Strategic Innovation: Building and Sustaining Innovative Organizations from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign among others. He is a Microinsurance Master and a member of ISACA and Computer Society of Kenya.
Ryan van de Coolwijk
Managing Executive
iTOO Special Risks.
Ryan is the Business Unit Head for Cyber, Collectables and Digital Distribution at iTOO Special Risks.
Ryan joined iTOO in November 2015 and is responsible for various aspects of the cyber insurance offering including defining and implementing the cyber risk assessment and underwriting philosophy, development of cyber insurance underwriting models, product development, marketing and awareness of cyber insurance and breach response coaching and planning.
Experience, Awards, and Achievements
Ryan started his career in IT in 2003, with over 20 years of experience in IT security and risk management, spanning various industries for organisations of all sizes. Ryan holds various IT qualifications including a BSc Computer Science degree, National Diploma in Computer System Engineering, Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
Having worked as Development Manager at Information Security Architects, in Risk Advisory at Deloitte, on the development of the CyGeist cyber insurance offering and subsequently launching the Hollard cyber insurance offering, Ryan has an in-depth knowledge of IT risk management and cyber insurance. His diverse skill set, and varied experience enable him to identify and provide solutions on data related risks from both internal and external perspectives.
Outside of work
Ryan lives with his wife, Nols, a professional in the banking sector and is a dad to two daughters, Rylie and Rachel.
A petrolhead at heart, from cars to bikes, Ryan is keen on most things with an engine.
Salah Dhouib
Senior Underwriter
Liberty Mutual Reinsurance
Salah DHOUIB started his professional career as a consultant in the IT sector. He embraced several positions as an analyst, a software engineer, and a project leader in AXA Re IT Department both in Paris and New York City. He joined the Weather Derivative Department of AXA RE as an underwriter in November 2002. He helped make AXA Re, then Paris Re, among the few market players active both in weather derivatives and index-based reinsurance. He moved to Liberty Syndicates Paris in September 2010 as a founding member of the newly created Weather and Agriculture Department. The team, based in Paris, underwrites, and manages Liberty Mutual Re worldwide agriculture and parametric book. LM Re Agriculture & Parametric Department won “2024 Parametric reinsurer of the year” award of “The Insurer”. As a Senior Underwriter, Salah DHOUIB is responsible of Africa-Asia Region. He graduated from top French engineering school Ecole Centrale de Lyon and is 56 years old..
Sheila Kirika
Actuary Manager-General Insurance
Old Mutual Africa Regions,
Sheila is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and currently works at Old
Mutual Africa Regions as Actuarial Manager (General Insurance), in charge of 7
countries. She is passionate about seeing insurance being used as a vehicle to
improve the dignity of lives.
At Old Mutual Africa regions, she is the Corporate Actuary supporting Group reporting
on reserving, solvency and earnings at risk for all countries. She is also the Corporate
Actuary for Namibia and Botswana in charge of Board, Group and Management
reporting on Solvency, Reserving, Risk and Reinsurance. She has won two awards for
IFRS17 implementation – the Africa Regions awards for Radical Leadership, as well as
the CFO recognition award.
Her main specialization is General and Medical Insurance. She has vast experience in
Consultancy, Industry as well as Education, having successfully led high-functioning
teams.
Sheila is a thought leader, having published three articles, and is an expert story-teller.
She is especially gifted at telling the story behind numbers. She has been invited to
speak in Conferences in Diani, Zanzibar, Arusha, Nairobi, Kigali, Harare as well as
numerous online webinars. She is also an influencer on LinkedIn, and regularly posts
content on #winningatwork, #actuarylife and #diaspora life.
The following are her key achievements:
1. Proven innovator, having created a solution to the problem of motor insurance
losses in East Africa – A Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. This solution is being
discussed with the Insurance Associations in Kenya and Rwanda.
2. Successful and timely implementation of IFRS17 across all 9 countries where Old
Mutual Africa Regions wrote General Insurance business.
3. Turnaround in Zamara Rwanda performance in 2021. In 2021 total revenue
doubled, business turned from making a loss to a profit margin of 24% and
Actuarial revenue went from 4% of revenue to almost a quarter of revenue.
4. In 2019, I was a Member of the Health Financing Reforms Expert Panel on
NationalHospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) reforms in Kenya. I collaborated with
Lawyers, Health Economists, Doctors and Politicians. This included projections
of NHIF’s financial condition and solvency position. Our work as a Panel
culminated in the NHIF Amendment Act, 2022.
5. In 2017, I was the Lead Consultant in a Turnaround Strategy for two Rwanda
companies. The two have since turned around – The General insurance
company is the leading Non-Medical Insurer in Rwanda and the Life Insurance
Company is the Second Life Insurer in Rwanda.
Steve Mambo
Chief Executive Officer
Yelbridges Limited
Steve Mambo is a seasoned entrepreneur and cyber security expert with over 17 years of experience in the tech industry. As the co-founder and CEO of Yelbridges Limited, Mr. Mambo has transformed the company into a leading cybersecurity provider, empowering businesses across East Africa to secure their digital transformation journeys.
With extensive experience in cyber risk management, Mr. Mambo has worked with clients across East Africa and Europe, helping them identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and strengthen their security postures. Yelbridges has delivered tailored solutions to industries such as finance, insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, and NGOs, enabling organizations to navigate the complex and ever-evolving cyber security landscape. Notably, Yelbridges provides cyber risk assessments to leading insurance providers in Germany, supporting them in underwriting and risk mitigation. Locally, Mr. Mambo has been instrumental in shaping Kenya’s nascent cyber insurance market by collaborating with stakeholders to develop innovative products that address emerging risks.
Under Mr. Mambo’s leadership, Yelbridges became one of the region’s first fully fledged cybersecurity companies to achieve ISO/IEC 27001 certification, a testament to its commitment to information security and global best practices. The company also developed the Data Protection Manager (DPM)—an innovative tool designed to enhance compliance with East Africa’s data protection laws. Today, DPM is widely utilized by organizations in finance, insurance, aviation, and NGO’s sectors to meet compliance requirements and protect sensitive data.
Mr. Mambo combines technical expertise with strategic foresight to enable organizations to confidently address cybersecurity challenges. His deep understanding of technology, risk management, and entrepreneurship makes him a prominent advocate for a secure digital economy.
Wangeci Mathenge
Business & Product Development Actuary
Inclusivity Solutions
Wangeci is a qualified actuary from the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries, UK, and brings with her 10 years of experience in the insurance sector, with a dedicated focus on inclusive insurance over the past 4 years. Currently positioned as the Head Marketing Actuary at Inclusivity Solutions, an insurtech headquartered in South Africa, she oversees the design and pricing of inclusive insurance products. Inclusivity Solutions is renowned for its expertise in developing embedded insurance solutions delivered via their platform, Aspin, catering specifically to emerging markets across Africa.