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In a context marked by growing exposure to climate risks, rapid urbanization, and increased needs for the protection of populations and economies, the African insurance market plays a central role in strengthening the continent’s resilience.
It is within this scope of transformation that the African Insurance Organization (AIO) has established itself as a leading institution in market coordination and development. It has contributed to the harmonization of regulatory frameworks, the sharing of best practices, and capacity building for industry stakeholders, thereby promoting greater insurance penetration.
In an interview with Atlas Magazine, Jean Baptiste Ntukamazina, Secretary General of the AIO, has dwelled on the organization’s missions as well as its initiatives regarding skills development, innovation, and the creation of solutions to address emerging risks. He has also analyzed the sector’s main structural challenges and the levers mobilized by the AIO to support its transformation across the continent.
Atlas Magazine: Founded in 1972, the AIO suffers from a lack of visibility. Could you summarize the organization’s roles and missions in a few lines?
J. B. Ntukamazina: Founded in 1972, the AIO’s primary mandate was to promote the development of a robust, inclusive, and sustainable insurance sector in Africa. It was designed as a pan-African platform for cooperation, representation, and coordination among market stakeholders.
Its missions are built around six pillars: advocacy, capacity building, research, training, event organization, and enhancing the sector’s reputation.
The AIO certainly does not lack visibility as an organization. In fact, some regional associations established after it have since adopted the same objectives as the AIO.
For now, we are striving to do things differently, particularly by creating more value for our members. Suffice to look at the themes of our conferences and our research topics to realize this fact. Ongoing projects, training programs, and capacity-building policies speak for themselves.
Atlas Magazine: The AIO represents the African insurance sector on the international stage. What tools does it have at its disposal to strengthen its position with public authorities and international partners?
J. B. Ntukamazina: The AIO relies on several key levers:
- strategic partnerships with institutions such as the UNDP, the AfDB, or the AfCFTA,
- the organization of side events by our partners during our annual conferences,
- inclusive representation of the African market in international forums,
- the organization of roundtables with regulators and decision-makers,
- the development of structuring projects (e.g., a continental database, training programs, etc.).
These measures have strengthened its credibility and its role as a key stakeholder.
Atlas Magazine: The African insurance market is highly fragmented (CIMA Zone, COMESA, English-speaking Africa, French-speaking Africa, North Africa). What steps has the AIO taken to bridge these differences and achieve a degree of harmonization across the continental market: enaction of common regulations, use of common standards, establishment of joint bodies (training, databases, …)?
J. B. Ntukamazina: The AIO plays an integrating role in a fragmented market:
- collaboration with AfCFTA to harmonize regulatory frameworks. A feasibility study for the smooth integration of insurance is underway,
- holding regular dialogues between regulators and with key stakeholders,
- developing common standards (e.g., mortality tables, certification programs). Projects in this area are already underway with a view to delivering the results to members,
- pooling initiatives such as inclusive insurance pools,
- the AIO is the pan-African body of excellence capable of speaking with one voice for continental insurance.
Atlas Magazine: Does the fact that you are not a supranational authority, that is, an authority with real decision-making power, stand as an obstacle to the development of your activities?
J. B. Ntukamazina: It is not a major obstacle. On the contrary, it enables the AIO to play the role of an impartial and unifying facilitator.
Its influence relies more on:
- the mandate of market actors,
- advocacy,
- knowledge generation,
- collective mobilization.
On such a diverse continent, this approach is often more effective than a centralized authority. Giving the AIO decision-making power would change its nature and mandate.
Atlas Magazine: Africa is facing a severe shortage of technical skills. What do you plan to do in this area to help insurers train their executives?
J. B. Ntukamazina: The AIO has made this a strategic priority:
- launching specialized certifications (leadership, agricultural insurance, etc.),
- developing continuing education programs,
- establishing actuarial scholarships,
- partnerships with international institutions.
The goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem of skills.
We plan to establish an AIO training center. Initially, Sudan had even offered land and administrative facilities for the actual establishment of this Center. Unfortunately, the war broke out but the project has not been abandoned.
Atlas Magazine: In Africa, certain insurance activities remain in their infancy; this is particularly the case for agricultural insurance and microinsurance, to which new risks such as natural disasters, cybercrime, pandemics, and socio-political risks are added. What actions do you plan to take to meet market needs?
J. B. Ntukamazina: The AIO is firing on several cylinders:
- promoting agricultural insurance and microinsurance. A training partnership in agricultural insurance is underway. The first phase of seminars was held in Abidjan and Kigali. Very soon we will begin the second phase,
- providing technical training for insurance executives (seminars, webinars, workshops, etc.),
- supporting inclusive insurance through the working group dedicated to inclusive insurance in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Microinsurance Network (MiN),
- developing solutions tackling emerging risks (climate, cyber, pandemics) through our African Centre for Catastrophe Risks (ACCR). Our recent annual conferences have extensively discussed climate risks, natural disasters, food security, the impact of war, and our countries’ excessive debt. Many reports are available on our websites,
- partnerships with public and private stakeholders to co-develop solutions.
The approach is pragmatic and impact oriented.
Atlas Magazine: Given the lack of reliable data, what are the main obstacles you face in establishing the African Insurance Data Repository (AIDR)?
J. B. Ntukamazina: The main obstacles are:
- access to reliable and harmonized data,
- the reluctance of certain stakeholders to share their data,
- regulatory disparities,
- limited technical capacity,
- high costs.
Atlas Magazine: Compared to the total number of insurance companies operating in Africa (around 1 300), the number of AIO members remains low. How do you explain this situation?
J. B. Ntukamazina: Several factors are behind this:
- a still limited perception of the added value,
- financial constraints for certain companies,
- the issue of dual or triple membership, with several players already subscribed at the national and regional levels.
The AIO is working to enhance its appeal through:
- high-value-added services,
- improved communication.
With concrete and measurable projects, the new approach is already yielding results. However, the new policy of retaining only active members who fulfill their obligations results in the regular exclusion of members, hence a reduced membership.
Atlas Magazine: In your opinion, what are the main obstacles hindering the development of the African insurance market: capitalization, expertise, regulation, market size…?
J. B. Ntukamazina: The main obstacles are:
- a lack of understanding of insurance,
- a lack of genuine political will to encourage people to underwrite insurance,
- low penetration due to income levels and a lack of education about insurance,
- a lack of trust in insurance,
- a lack of insurance products tailored to people’s needs,
- regulatory fragmentation,
- insufficient capital in certain markets.
But these challenges also represent opportunities for transformation.
Atlas Magazine: How does the AIO plan to support the current transformation of the insurance sector toward new technologies (insurtech, artificial intelligence, digitalization, …)?
J. B. Ntukamazina: The AIO plans to support this transition through:
- training on insurtech and artificial intelligence. For instance, our upcoming reinsurance forum in October will be dedicated to artificial intelligence,
- partnerships with technology companies,
- the integration of digital technology into its events,
- the production of research on technological trends.
The goal is to make technology a driver of inclusion and efficiency for improved productivity and growth.
Atlas Magazine: Do you think the AIO’s structures and operating methods need to be revised to make it the true driving force behind the transformation of the African insurance market (decision-making power, sustainability of decision-making bodies, etc.)?
J. B. Ntukamazina: Change is necessary provided that it remains balanced.
The AIO can strengthen:
- the continuity of its decision-making bodies,
- the effectiveness of its governance,
- its operational agility,
- the strengthening of its financial resources.
Any reform must ensure that the AIO’s role as an inclusive and consensus-based platform be preserved.
As in other continental organizations, collective awareness and responsible commitment to greater efficiency are necessary.
Atlas Magazine: The AIO has several technical committees. How do they contribute to the development of the African insurance market?
J. B. Ntukamazina: The technical committees are essential.
- They produce in-depth sectoral analyses,
- They help develop strategic recommendations,
- They support the implementation of projects (training, research, innovation),
- They serve as the intellectual and technical driving force behind the AIO.
The various reports from these committees are available on our website.
