Addis Ababa, May 26, 2025 — The African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re), the continent’s leading reinsurance company, continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to industry advancement and social impact through its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, particularly the Young Insurance Professionals Programme (YIPP).
Today 42 African States are shareholders of Africa Re, a corporation that was established following a recommendation of the African Development Bank (AFDB), Africa Re has played a central role in building underwriting capacity and promoting the growth of the insurance and reinsurance sectors across Africa. One of the cornerstone initiatives supporting this mission is the YIPP, a nine-month online training programme that targets highly qualified young graduates across Africa. Since its launch in 2018 with 250 participants, the programme has expanded to accommodate 1,000 trainees per cohort, offering specialized training in insurance, reinsurance, and leadership.
The 2025 edition of the YIPP culminated on May 24, 2025, at the Sheraton Addis, where the top 10 trainees received advanced leadership training during an exclusive final session. These outstanding individuals were later recognized on stage during the African Insurance Awards on May 26, 2025, further highlighting Africa Re’s investment in nurturing the next generation of insurance leaders.
Held on May 26, 2025, at Millennium Hall, Addis Ababa, the African Insurance Awards honoured excellence and innovation within the African insurance landscape. The glittering gala dinner brought together over 1,200 key players in the insurance and reinsurance industry, financial institutions, and various sectors. The event was opened by Mr. Belay TULU, Director of Insurance Supervision Directorate at the National Bank of Ethiopia, and warmly welcomed by Dr. Corneille KAREKEZI, Group Managing Director and CEO of Africa Re.
The Awards celebrated excellence in four prestigious categories, with the winners emerging after a very close and competitive selection process among five strong nominees in each category. Discovery Insure from South Africa received the Innovation of the Year award for its groundbreaking approach to insurance services. Mayfair Insurance of Kenya was named Insurance Company of the Year, recognized for its strong customer service, growth strategy, and market leadership. In the rapidly evolving insurtech space, Tunza Simu – Safaricom Digital Device Cover (Kenya) was awarded InsurTech of the Year for leveraging technology to expand access and efficiency. Mr. Ashok SHAH, Group CEO of APA Apollo Group (Kenya & Uganda), was honoured as CEO of the Year for his transformative leadership and lasting impact on the industry.
The African Insurance Awards, also a CSR initiative of Africa Re, not only spotlight exceptional performance but also foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and strategic vision. As Africa Re continues to drive industry growth through capacity building and thought leadership, events like these underscore its role as a cornerstone of the continent’s insurance ecosystem.
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