Seli is responsible for governance, risk and compliance management across Old Mutual Ghana. She joined Old Mutual in 2013 and having worked in several leadership roles, transitioned into Risk & Compliance in 2019. She has been at the forefront of embedding the governance, risk and compliance framework by ensuring that principles and requirements for managing risks are consistently applied across the business which has led to a stable control environment to support business objectives. She is the in country Anti-Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Data Privacy Executive. She is also a standing attendee at Board meetings as well as the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee, and the Investment Committee.

She is a seasoned insurance professional with over a decade experience in the life insurance and pensions industry. Prior to joining Old Mutual, Seli worked with MiLife Insurance Company Limited and SIC Life Assurance Company Limited.

She is a Chartered Insurer, an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, UK and a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, Ghana. Seli holds a Master of Science Degree in International Management from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Ghana Business School. She has also completed several executive leadership programs including a certificate program in Leadership & Management from Wharton College, University of Pennsylvania, USA and the Emeritus Institute of Management

Hosea Kiprop is the Group Chief Finance Officer (CFO) at AAR Insurance Group and a leading advocate for ESG-driven insurance transformation in Africa, with over 15 years of experience in senior leadership and insurance operations across East Africa. In 2025, he was recognized as CFO of the Year – East Africa (Finance and Technology) for advancing financial resilience, technology-enabled innovation, and sustainable value creation.

At AAR Insurance, Hosea leads Group-wide initiatives that embed environmental, social, and governance considerations into financial strategy, risk management, and capital allocation, enabling the business to respond effectively to climate-related risks, emerging vulnerabilities, and the growing need for inclusive insurance solutions. His experience spans multi-country operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia, where he works closely with boards and executive teams to deliver sustainable, long-term value.

Under his leadership AAR Insurance received national recognition at the Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards (2025), emerging 1st Runner-Up in the Environmental and Social Reporting category and 2nd Runner-Up in the Insurance category. The awards, sponsored by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), highlight the Group’s leadership in transparent, high-quality ESG and financial reporting.

Hosea holds an MBA in Strategic Management and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPAK), Certified Secretary (CS-K), and Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (CIFA I). He is deeply committed to mainstreaming ESG as a core pillar of insurance leadership, strengthening community protection, market resilience, and Africa’s long-term economic sustainability

David Maslo is the Chief Executive Officer of African Risk Capacity (ARC) Ltd, a hybrid mutual insurer that helps African countries prepare for and manage the financial impact of natural disasters. David has a strong background in disaster risk insurance and financial management. Before becoming CEO, he worked in various roles at ARC Ltd, including as an underwriter and head of business development.

He helped create and price insurance products that protect countries against risks like storms, floods, and disease outbreaks. He also played a key role in developing new programs that support vulnerable communities, such as insurance that helps governments provide social safety nets during crises and innovative agricultural insurance to protect farmers. Before joining ARC Ltd as CEO, David was Chief Risk Management Officer at the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, where he managed disaster risk insurance for 30 countries in the Caribbean and Central America.

Under his leadership, the facility managed over $1.5 billion in disaster risks and helped governments recover quickly after major events. David holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Pretoria in Political Science and International Relations, and Economics. He also earned a certification in data science and is a member of the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and the Institute of Directors. His professional qualifications include Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Reinsurance (ARe), and he is certified in Insurance-Linked Securities.

Sesilia is currently an Underwriting and Reinsurance Manager at Old Mutual Short-term Insurance Namibia, with extensive reinsurance experience gained from her previous role at Namibia’s National Reinsurance Company. She serves on the steering committee of the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance, advocating for sustainable practices across Africa. Her notable contributions include presentations at UNEP’s Africa and Middle East roundtables on underwriting practices in Reinsurance to enhance resilience and business continuity. She has presented at Organisation of Eastern and Southern Africa Insurers (OESAI) multiples times on issues pertaining to Insurance globally. She is pursuing an MCom in Development Finance from the University of Cape Town, further deepening her expertise, focusing on the blended and innovative financing mechanisms to enable product development towards closing the protection gap. Outside of her professional endeavours, she enjoys playing golf, reading good books, and marvelling at sunsets. She is driven by a passion to contribute towards leaving the planet better for future generations to enjoy the calming beauty of African sunsets.

Cuthbert Masukume is an insurance leader who believes risk management must work for farmers, not against them. With over two decades of experience in insurance and reinsurance, he is the Managing Director of AFC Insurance Company, where he focuses on designing practical, climate-responsive insurance solutions that strengthen Zimbabwe’s agricultural value chain.

His work is closely aligned with conservation-based, climate-smart production systems built around standardised smallholder plots, which create a strong foundation for predictable risk modelling and scalable insurance cover. As Chairperson of the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe Agriculture Pool, he championed the Farmers Basket Index Insurance Programme to deliver affordable, technology-enabled insurance at scale. Cuthbert is passionate about leveraging data, inclusive product design, and partnerships to close the protection gap and build resilience for millions of smallholder farmers facing increasing climate volatility.

Isaac Mwangi is a Sustainability and Risk Specialist at Fidelity Insurance and is ACCA-certified in Sustainability Frameworks and Ethics. He has eight years of experience in accounting and finance, gained prior to his current specialization in sustainability. Isaac plays a key role in supporting Fidelity Insurance to design and implement resilient ESG strategies through innovation and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. He also leads efforts to integrate sustainability principles into the company’s insurance operations and decision-making processes.

Nabeel Rylands is a senior public sector professional with over 20 years of experience in disaster risk reduction, governance, local government, and spatial intelligence. He currently serves as Director: Disaster Risk Reduction at the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre, providing strategic leadership in provincial risk reduction policy, planning, and climate informed resilience. Previously, he was employed by Ernst & Young (EY) as a Senior Manager in Government and Infrastructure, advising public sector institutions on governance reform, infrastructure planning, and performance improvement. He brings a strong track record in strengthening institutional capability and advancing evidence based decision making.

Cerin has over 12 years of experience working in the finance sector. His current focus at WWF is on green financial solutions which are investment and financing solutions built to attract finance into the green economy and for sustainable growth. Cerin also works on with finance sector companies and stakeholders on ESG tools, sustainability disclosure frameworks, capacity building and environmental risk management. In addition, the WWF Sustainable Finance Team has deep engagements with policymakers, advocating for the inclusion of environmental and social risk management within the finance sector. Cerin currently sits on the Investment Committee of the Sanlam Living Planet Fund, and the Advisory Committee of the Green Outcomes Fund is a member of the ASISA Responsible Investment Committee.

An alumnus of the prestigious University of Ibadan (Nigeria) and University of Cape Town (South Africa) Graduate School of Business, Oluseye Olakanmi began his professional career in insurance industry in 2011 after an early stint in the technology sector. He joined African Reinsurance Corporation under the Young Professional Programme and rose through the ranks to the position of an Executive Director as its Chief of Staff and Strategy. A position he has held since July 2024 till date.

As Chief of Staff and Strategy, he supports the Executive Leadership of the leading pan-African reinsurer in strategy formulation, strategy execution and organisational effectiveness. He is skilled in aligning organisational priorities, driving cross-functional effectiveness and turning complex challenges into clear and actionable business plans.

Mulenga Kashiwa is a seasoned insurance professional with 17 years’ experience in short-term insurance. He is currently Senior Manager for Technical Underwriting at Hollard International in South Africa where is tasked with managing the reinsurance treaty programmme for the Hollard Licenses in Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. Provide technical underwriting support for corporate Property for the 6 licenses, and manage relationship with Global partners such as International Retail & reinsurance brokers, reinsurers and strategic partners across the different regions.

Before his current role, he worked in the Zambian Insurance market for over a decade. His last role being Head of Operations for Hollard Insurance Zambia. Before leaving Zambia.

Mulenga also has a passion for teaching and had a stint at Zambia’s second Largest Public University where he was a part-time lecturer in the School of Business, lecturing in Strategic Management.

He is a member of the Insurance Institute of Zambia, the Insurance Institute of South Africa, the Institute of Risk Management South Africa and the Chartered Insurance Institute of UK (CII) and holds an MBA in Management strategy from the University of Zambia, a chartered insurer of the CII and certified management practice leader by Henley School of Business.

Mario is a Managing 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 to 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. At 3IF Ventures – powered by Rift Partners – he co-manages investments in early-stage innovators in the African insurance ecosystem

Kweku Anyane-Lah is an Associate at FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi). He has a decade of experience in M&A, investment and strategic advisory, capital markets and early-stage investing across sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to FSDAi, he was Vice President – Investment Banking at IC Africa, where he led cross-border transactions for sovereigns, corporates, and high-growth ventures across telecoms, infrastructure, energy, and financial services. In addition to his capital markets work, Kweku has advised and invested in startups across fintech, agri-tech, and insurance, supporting the growth of innovative platforms throughout Africa.

Jeremy Leach is the Founder and Executive Director of Inclusivity Solutions, an insurtech dedicated to designing, building, and operating digital insurance businesses across emerging markets. Jeremy has extensive experience advising, researching, and implementing digital financial services around the world.

Previously, Jeremy was a Director at BFA Global leading strategy and innovation in responsible digital finance. As Divisional Director and Head of Inclusive Insurance at the Hollard Insurance Group, he spearheaded insurance innovations ranging from product design to new distribution channels and consumer engagement. Before Hollard, Jeremy served as Executive Director at FinMark Trust, where his work on insurance and mobile money influenced global best practice.

Jeremy is a Chartered Certified Accountant (UK) and holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Bath. He is a founding member and adviser to Cenfri and has served on the South African Minister of Finance’s Short Term Insurance Advisory Committee, among other roles. He is a regular speaker at global conferences on microinsurance, digital insurance, mobile money, and financial innovation.

Linkedin 

Caroline Wakesho Sonje is a sustainability and ESG specialist with over 10 years’ experience across insurance, banking, and environmental governance. She currently consults as The Group ESG Specialist for ICEA LION, integrating ESG across insurance, asset management, and trust businesses. A former UNEP FI Africa Regional Coordinator and KCB Group Sustainability Manager, she has served on Kenya’s NEMA Board and sits on the GRI Due Process Oversight Committee.

Dr Usman Jankara Jimada is the Deputy Commissioner (Technical Operations) at the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Nigeria’s insurance regulatory authority. He provides strategic leadership for the regulation, supervision, and technical oversight of one of Africa’s largest and most complex insurance markets, supporting Nigeria’s economic development and financial inclusion objectives.

In his role, Dr Usman Jankara coordinates NAICOM’s Technical Division, overseeing core regulatory functions including supervision, inspectorate, market conduct and consumer protection, innovation and regulation, actuarial services, corporate governance, and the Lagos Control Office. He plays a central role in formulating and implementing prudential standards, risk-based supervision, reinsurance oversight, and market conduct policies that shape industry stability and growth.

A Chartered Insurance Practitioner with over 20 years of experience, Dr Usman Jankara is widely recognised as a leading insurance regulator and reform strategist. He holds a PhD in Business Administration, with research focused on stakeholder management and insurance penetration, alongside an MBA and professional qualifications in insurance and risk management. His career reflects a rare blend of technical depth, policy leadership, and institutional transformation expertise.

Dr Usman Jankara has been instrumental in several landmark regulatory reforms in Nigeria. His early contributions include reducing insurance broker licensing turnaround time from weeks to days, strengthening the Oil and Gas insurance framework, and enhancing reinsurance cession regulations to improve treaty security and efficiency. He later led wide-ranging institutional reforms, including the harmonisation of regulatory returns, consolidation of prudential and market conduct guidelines, and the establishment of quality-assurance mechanisms to improve regulatory consistency and decision-making.

As Head of Corporate Strategy and Special Duties, he led the development and implementation of the Commission’s 2021–2023 Strategic Plan – widely regarded as the most successful in its history. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he anchored critical regulatory engagements that ensured business continuity and market stability, and he facilitated strategic partnerships to advance ESG integration, Risk-Based Capital reforms, and insurtech innovation.

Appointed Deputy Commissioner by the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2024, Dr Usman Jankara is one of the architects of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025, the most transformative legislation in the sector’s history. He has led the conclusion of the first phase of Risk-Based Supervision, coordinated the development of Nigeria’s Risk-Based
Capital framework, issued the Solvency Control and Intervention Framework, and championed the Guidelines for Insurtech Operations – positioning Nigeria as a forward-looking insurance
regulatory jurisdiction in Africa.

Dr Usman Jankara continues to lead the implementation of NIIRA 2025, with a strong focus on corporate governance, consumer protection, claims and complaints management, ethical standards, and digital innovation. He has undertaken executive training with leading global institutions and is known for principled leadership, strategic clarity, and a deep commitment to regulatory excellence and industry development.

Dr. Abiba Zakariah holds a Doctorate in Management from the Swiss Management Centre, Geneva, Switzerland, and a Master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Ghana, Legon. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute of the United Kingdom (FCII-UK) and the Chartered Insurance Institute Ghana (CIIG), a member of the Institute of Risk Management Professionals Ghana, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG). Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.

Dr. Zakariah has over 30 years of working experience and has served on numerous boards and committees within the marketing and insurance industries. These include the Agricultural Insurance Pool Steering and Technical Committees, the “No Premium, No Cover” Committee, and the Reinsurance Committee. She previously chaired the Ghana Oil and Gas Insurance Board and served on the boards of Ghana Reinsurance, Hollard Insurance Ghana, Priority Insurance Company, Unique Life, CDH Group of Companies Ltd, and the Ghana Agricultural Insurance Pool, among others. Her leadership extended beyond Ghana, as she was appointed Chairperson of the Sierra Leone Insurance Industry Development Plan and contributed to various international committees.
Dr. Zakariah has held several high-ranking positions, including serving as the Group Chief Operations Officer of TG Holding Ltd. She began her career as an Insurance Marketing Officer at the then-State Insurance Corporation, now SIC Insurance PLC. She later joined Ghana Reinsurance Company Ltd, where she rose to the position of Managing Director. Subsequently, she became the Group Chief Operating Officer of WAICA Reinsurance Company before her appointment by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, as the Acting Commissioner of Insurance.

In 2015, Dr. Zakariah founded the Chartered Insurance Ladies Association of Ghana (CILAG) and served as its first President. She has also made significant contributions to academia, working as a visiting lecturer at the West African Insurance Institute (WAII) and serving as a resource person at institutions such as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Ghana Insurance College (GIC). Additionally, she chaired the boards of SAHA Global and NSIA Ghana Company.

Dr. Zakariah has received numerous awards, including the Youth in Insurance Profession (YIP) Award in 2024. She was named one of the Professional Insurance Ladies Association’s (PILA) Top 50 Women in Insurance in Africa (2022) and received the Business Insurance Women to Watch Award in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) in 2019. She is also a recipient of the Northern Youth for Peace and Development Award in Ghana (2017). In her spare time, Dr. Zakariah enjoys reading, writing, and preaching the word of God as an ordained Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana.

Kenneth S. Matomola is the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA). With an extensive career in financial regulation and supervision, he has held several leadership roles within NAMFISA, including Acting CEO, Assistant CEO: Supervision, General Manager: Investment Institutions, and General Manager: Research, Policy & Statistics. Prior to joining NAMFISA, he worked at First National Bank as Manager: Regulatory Reporting and at the Bank of Namibia in various positions within the Banking Supervision Department. Mr. Matomola is deeply passionate about financial regulation, supervision, and market development.

He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Committee of Insurance, Securities and Non-banking Financial Authorities (CISNA), a substructure of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS).

Mr Matomola holds an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London, a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Namibia, and an Advanced Diploma in Central Banking from the Institute of Bankers South Africa. Additionally, he has completed the Senior Leadership Development Programme at the University of Cape Town and the Senior Executive Programme – Africa at Harvard Business School.

Ms Fundi Tshazibana has been a deputy governor and an executive director the Board of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) since 2019. She is currently also the CEO of the Prudential Authority. The Prudential Authority regulates banks, insurers, cooperative financial institutions, financial conglomerates and certain market infrastructures. As CEO of the Prudential Authority, Ms Tshazibana leads the Prudential Cluster of the SARB, which includes the Financial Surveillance Department and the departments within the Prudential Authority

Before the rotation of the deputy governors on 1 April 2022, she oversaw the Financial Markets and International Cluster and Chaired the Board of the Corporation for Public Deposits. Ms Tshazibana joined the SARB in 2018 as Adviser to the Governors.

She is a member of the following committees within the South African Reserve Bank: Monetary Policy Committee, the Financial Stability Committee and the Prudential Committee. She represents the South Africa Reserve Bank on the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and Financial Stability Board’s Standing Committee on Supervisory and Regulatory Cooperation. She is a Director on the Board of the Corporation for Deposit Insurance (CoDI) and chairs the CoDI Investment Committee. She was appointed as vice Chair of the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) in early 2024. Until 2022, she was South Africa’s G20 Deputy and chaired the Deputies of the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the IMF from June 2019 until January 2021.

She is an economist with extensive experience in public policy formulation. From 2015-2018 she was an alternate executive director on the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund. Prior to joining the IMF, Ms Tshazibana was a deputy director-general at National Treasury, where she was responsible for macroeconomic policy, regulatory impact analysis and forecasting. She was a senior policy analyst at the National Electricity Regulator and has worked on the restructuring on the electricity supply industry. She’s also worked as a market research executive in the private sector. She holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) degree and a Master of Commerce degree in Economics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

PERSONAL BIO
François Petousis is the CEO and one of the founders of Lumkani, a South Africa-based social enterprise and Insurtech. François has always been avidly engaged in serving communities impacted by societal challenges. He founded Lumkani after completing his undergraduate engineering degree, with his thesis on developing low cost solutions to the devastation of informal settlement fires. He then went on to complete a Master’s in inclusive business model innovation at the UCT graduate school of business, as a Bertha Scholar. After founding the company, François became the Head of product, then the Director of humanitarian projects, and took on his current role, CEO of the company, in 2021.

LUMKANI BIO
Lumkani exists to create safe & resilient communities for under-served people, reducing risks & inequalities and promoting inclusive economic growth. The first focus area Lumkani has tackled is that of informal settlement fires. Lumkani (recognized by Fast Company as one of the most innovative companies in Africa in 2020) has developed an award-winning early-warning fire detection system specifically designed for urban informal settlements. This mesh networked system creates a community wide alert in the event of fire to give people the critical time to be proactive before a fire becomes dangerous. It has been installed in over 115,000 homes in South Africa, Kenya and Bangladesh, and according to communities, helps to limit the spread of fire in over 95% of fire events.

Lumkani has also developed a world first fire insurance and fire detection bundled product for informal home-owners, underwritten by Hollard. As of 2026, Lumkani has over 25000 customers for its fire detector and fire insurance bundled product, and covers over R1 billion of informal property in South Africa, having paid out R35 million in claims back to informal homeowners to date.

Elias Omondi is a seasoned financial sector professional with over 15 years of experience in actuarial science, insurance regulation, and financial market development across Africa and beyond. He leads the design and implementation of pioneering programmes that catalyze risk transfer solutions and strengthen enabling environments for risk markets on the continent. His work focuses on building climate resilience, fostering innovation, and mobilising insurance to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

He has worked closely with regulators in insurance, capital markets and banking to craft progressive policy and regulatory frameworks. His career also spans impactful assignments with the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and GIZ across Africa and Asia. At the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Kenya (IRA), Elias spearheaded reforms including the development of the Risk-Based Supervision framework, calibration of Risk-Based Capital models, and the establishment of Kenya’s pioneering Insurtech Sandbox (BimaBox) and Insurtech Incubation Hub (BimaLab).

Elias has also advised over 20 central banks and insurance regulators globally, supporting the design of supervisory frameworks, statutory templates, and innovative disaster risk financing solutions. His expertise bridges technical actuarial practice, regulatory policy, and strategic programme leadership, making him a trusted partner for governments, development institutions, and private sector stakeholders seeking to advance inclusive finance and risk management. Elias also serves as Chairman of the Inclusive Insurance Forum at the International Actuarial Association.

Elias holds an MSc in Actuarial Management from Bayes Business School (City, University of London) and a BSc in Actuarial Science (First Class Honours) from Maseno University. He is an Associate Actuary of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK) and has further completed executive programmes and certifications in Microinsurance (Frankfurt School of Finance & Management), ESG and Impact Investing (Frankfurt School of Finance & Management), and Sustainable Finance (Smith School, University of Oxford).

Oluwakayode Ashamu is a corporate sustainability professional and researcher committed to advancing the view that sustainable business is fundamental to long-term value creation. He supports organisations in designing and implementing sustainability strategies, ESG initiatives, and climate-aligned governance frameworks across sectors including finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, mining, and oil and gas.

Kayode has contributed to sustainability studies, advisory engagements, and multi-stakeholder dialogues at both local and international levels. His work is driven by key development priorities such as decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, sustainable cities and economies, peace and justice, and partnerships for sustainable development.

He has served as a Technical Adviser to the Kaduna State Government on ESG matters, including monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability performance systems, and has also worked as a Special Assistant within the Federal Ministry of Finance and Budget. Kayode is an accredited professional at PwC and a member of a strategic think tank supporting the adoption of the IFRS ISSB Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS S1 and S2).

A three-time Research Fellow of the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA) and a Climate Fellow with the Civic Ecological Lab at Cornell University, Kayode brings a strong blend of applied sustainability expertise and research-driven insight to his work.

Marilyn Obaisa-Osula is the Partner and Head, ESG/Sustainability and Climate Change Services in PwC Nigeria. She also oversees similar services in the West Market Area in Africa. She is currently the Net Zero leader for the West Market Area (Africa).

She has over 18 years experience as a business development and market-entry expert and a sustainability professional for small enterprises and large corporates. She has been a project leader on several sustainability and climate related projects covering, strategy, finance, impact investing, impact assessment, health, safety and environment (HSE) and reporting across various sectors: Agriculture, FMCGs, Public sector, Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, DFIs, Commercial Banks, Tech-startups, and Energy. She also has led sustainable development projects with international development agencies which cuts across gender, water sanitation, waste management, climate adaptation and resilience. She has also provided technical assistance on a number of projects.

She holds a Certificate in Business Sustainability and Sustainable Finance from the University of Cambridge (CISL) UK. She holds a Masters’ degree in Public and Development Management from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.

• She is a member of the Advisory panel of the ACCA Sustainability Working Group Africa Initiative.
• She is a member of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) SDG committee.
• She is a Chartered Accountant. She is a certified Lead Auditor for ISO standards on Environmental and Quality Management systems (14000:2015 & 9001:2015 respectively).
• She is a member of the Sustainability Professional Institute of Nigeria (SPIN).

Additionally, she is an appointed member of the Panel of Experts for Adaptation Benefit Mechanism on Climate Change-related matters for a DFI and served as a member of the Adoption Readiness Working Group (ARWG) for the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) on IFRS ISSB S1 and S2 Standards adoption for Nigeria. She is also a Responsible Investment Analyst.

She has facilitated several board, management, and staff trainings over the years both locally and internationally.

She has served as a panellist and keynote speaker on topical issues around impact, sustainability, sustainable investments and climate change. She is dedicated to the advancement of sustainable development across Africa.

Albena Melin joined ZEP-RE as Director of Partnerships in September 2024, leading on the broader engagement work with external partners as well as on sustainability and impact.
A strategic executive with over 30 years of experience in inclusive economic growth, private sector solutions, development financing, impact investing and cross-sector partnerships. She has a very diverse background spanning across 30+ countries on 4 continents in the private sector, government, and multilateral space. She has demonstrated expertise leading multicultural, cross-functional teams and programs across emerging markets. Albena has worked on ESG and Sustainability since their very beginnings. She has been part of the SDG negotiations, implementing the Impact Principles, pioneering blended finance models to mobilize private capital for sustainable impact. Albena holds an MSc in International Institutional & Development Economics, with a focus on International Finance and Trade. A German and Swedish national, she has been raised in Eritrea and Ethiopia and can work in several languages.

Kundai Jonga is a Research Analyst at the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, specialising in insurance, economics, policy analysis, and ESG integration. He leads industry-wide sustainability initiatives and applied research informing national policy advocacy and product innovation, with a focus on inclusive insurance, climate risk solutions, and data-driven strategic decision-making.

Colleen Kanniah, is a seasoned insurance professional with 3 decades of experience in the insurance industry, specializing in various roles such as underwriting, reinsurance, risk management, and leadership across multiple sectors and regions globally. She is currently the CEO of Afro Asian Re SA (Pty) Ltd based in South Africa. Colleen is a Professional Member of the Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA), the South African Insurance Association, and the South African Engineering Insurance Association. Colleen holds an Associateship (ACII) qualification, a Certificate of Proficiency, a Licentiateship with the IISA, a Management Diploma from GIBS, University of Pretoria, and an Executive Leadership qualification from the University of Cape Town, along with various insurance product certifications.

Colleen joined Marsh McLennan in November 2022, where she led the Multinational Practice managing global cross-functional projects aligning client strategies for optimal globalisation, with a multicultural team, and served as a global multinational advisory leader, responsible for retention, expansion, and service growth across seventy countries. Colleen headed the training and development of skills within Marsh SA’s Risk Management Practice, designing and executing technical CPD-accredited training.

Before joining Marsh, Colleen served as Senior Vice President, Facultative Reinsurance at Guy Carpenter from May 2020, where she led the Facultative Reinsurance team for Southern Africa. She successfully built and managed a profitable portfolio, delivering innovative solutions to insurance companies and clients across the IMEA region. Prior to Guy Carpenter, Colleen held leadership roles at Africa Re, including Head of Facultative Reinsurance, where she built a sustainable underwriting portfolio and led initiatives such as a highly acclaimed non-life seminar for delegates across Africa, and successfully contributed to thought leadership publications at Board and Exco.

Earlier in her career, Colleen served as Head of Energy & Engineered Risks, Global Property at AIG, Sub-Sahara, specializing in industries such as Oil & Gas, Mining, Construction and Renewable Energy. She managed portfolios for sustainable growth and profitability while leading teams to achieve strategic goals and propelling talent development.
Colleen’s career began in 1987, where she held various underwriting roles specializing in engineering underwriting, when she later joined Alexander Forbes Risk Services in 2001 as Technical Director, overseeing broking services, client service functions, and the development of insurance technical products. Throughout her career, Colleen has proved expertise in risk management, reinsurance, underwriting, client relationship management, and training and development. Her leadership and contributions have made her a respected figure in the insurance industry, both in South Africa and globally.

Alexio Manyonde is the Chief Technology Officer at ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), where he leads the organisation’s technology vision, digital transformation strategy, and innovation agenda across the COMESA region. He holds a Masters Degree in Computational Intelligence, a Master Degree in Business Administration, and a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering. He brings a strong blend of technical depth, strategic leadership, and business insight to the intersection of insurance, reinsurance, and digital ecosystems.

With more than 27 years of experience in ICT leadership across consumer goods, financial services and regional institutions, Alexio has led enterprisewide digital transformation initiatives and inclusive insurance solutions. His work focuses on building resilient, scalable technology environments and ensuring alignment between technology investments and longterm business strategy.
He is a passionate advocate for Africa’s digital advancement and the role of technology in strengthening financial inclusion and deepening insurance penetration. Alexio contributes actively to industry dialogues on digital transformation and emerging technologies and has collaborated with crossborder teams and partners to drive adoption of innovative solutions that position African enterprises for future growth

Mia Thom is a financial inclusion and innovation expert with over a decade of experience at Cenfri, where she leads the insights team. She specializes in private sector innovation, insurance market development, green finance, and digital transformation. Mia has spearheaded multi-year programmes, including the Risk, Remittances, and Integrity (RRI) initiative for FSD Africa and the Making Access Possible (MAP) diagnostics with UNCDF.

She has worked extensively on insurance market diagnostics in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda for DFID and the World Bank. A global thought leader, she serves on the UNEP Principles for Sustainable Insurance initiative, the Insurance Development Forum, and co-chairs the ESG Roadmap & Reporting Working Group under NDSI. Mia holds a Master of Development Finance (cum laude) from Stellenbosch Business School, is a Chartered Accountant (SAICA), and has passed all CFA levels, with Honours in Economics and Accounting from Stellenbosch University

Dr. Monday Utomwen is a distinguished Chief Risk Officer with over 16 years of expertise in risk management, compliance, and insurance. Armed with an MSc in Risk Management & Insurance, an MBA in Financial Management, and multiple certifications—including CQRM, Data Science, and Monte Carlo Simulation—he is a recognized authority in the field. Currently, he leads risk strategy at WAICA Reinsurance Corporation Plc, overseeing operations across six African countries and the UK.

His career spans senior risk roles in multiple organizations, where he has embedded robust risk frameworks, developed key risk indicators (KRIs), and guided executive decision-making. Dr. Utomwen is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and a Chartered Insurer, with a strong passion for training and thought leadership in risk. He also co-chairs the ESG Taxonomy Working Group under the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance, driving sustainability and responsible finance across Africa’s insurance sector

Pamela Ramagaga has over twenty-five years of experience in the non-life (short-term) insurance industry. She began her career as a non-life insurance corporate broker and subsequently spent nearly seven years in the niche and specialist division of a leading South African non-life insurer.

Pamela joined the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) in 2018 as an Executive Manager, where she worked closely with the Executive Team on a range of strategic initiatives across the organisation.

Since June 2020, in her role as General Manager: Insurance Risks, she has led a team responsible for driving key non-life insurance industry initiatives, with a focus on identifying, managing, and responding to current and emerging systemic risks facing the sector.

Pamela brings extensive industry expertise, supported by strong academic credentials, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

Viviene Pearson has served as Chief Executive Officer of the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) since January 2016. She joined SAIA in 2004 and has held several senior leadership roles, including Motor Manager and General Manager: Projects and Insurance Risks.

Viviene has been instrumental in advancing key industry initiatives, notably in the areas of microinsurance, consumer education, and motor insurance reform. She also played a leading role in the establishment of the South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB), underscoring her long-standing commitment to strengthening industry integrity and collaboration.

Prior to joining SAIA, Viviene worked as a financial journalist specialising in the insurance sector. She began her career in the Diplomatic Corps and holds a BA Honours degree in Political Science and Journalism from the former Rand Afrikaans University (RAU).

Viviene currently serves on the boards of SAIA, the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) and the Financial Sector Transformation Council (FSTC).

Sylvain acts as Head of Innovation & Sustainability for Africa Specialty Risk. In this role, Sylvain develops insurance solutions for agriculture, forestry and Nat Cat as on parametric format. Sylvain is also involved in academia via roles at NASA Harvest and Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne, were is drives research projects around sustainability. Sylvain hold a PhD in Environmental Engineering.

Liz Booth is a seasoned editorial leader and a driving force in the insurance and finance sectors. As Managing Director of AFAH Publishing since 2019, she brings strategic vision, editorial expertise, and business acumen to the forefront. Previously, she spent over eight years as Editor at Commercial Risk Africa, shaping industry discourse on risk management and insurance. Beyond publishing, Liz is a key advocate for sustainability in insurance. She co-chairs the Engagement & Advocacy Sub-Committee under the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI), spearheading efforts to promote responsible finance and sustainable industry practices.

Her deep industry knowledge, combined with her strategic expertise in public policy, engagement, and advocacy, makes her a leading voice in the evolving landscape of sustainable insurance. Passionate about driving positive change, Liz continues to influence the sector through thought leadership, editorial excellence, and impactful advocacy.

Irene Mutonyi is the Chief of Staff at the APA Apollo Group, where she is working closely with executive leadership to drive strategy execution, governance, transformation, and ESG integration across the Group’s insurance and financial services businesses.

With over 20 years of experience across insurance, finance, FMCG, and education, Irene brings a strong blend of strategic leadership and operational delivery. She served as the key focal point for APA Apollo Group in the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI) ESG Technical Assistance Programme, coordinating a cross-functional team that participated in ESG integration sessions delivered by Impact Actuarial, the technical advisors appointed by FSD Africa.

Through this work, Irene has helped translate ESG commitments into practical, measurable actions across governance, operations, and reporting, strengthening collaboration and accountability across business units. She is passionate about sustainable insurance, climate resilience, and embedding ESG as a core business discipline within Africa’s insurance sector.

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.

David Kirk is Principal and Consulting Actuary, and Managing Director for Africa at Milliman. He advises life and non-life insurers across the continent on strategy, M&A, risk and capital management, and financial and regulatory reporting. He is a Fellow of the South African, UK, Namibian, Nigerian and Kenyan actuarial bodies, and also holds the CFA, CAIA and PRM qualifications.

He has led major regulatory and transformation projects across Africa and the Middle East, created the New Business Margin on Revenue methodology, and writes regularly on insurance strategy, capital and emerging market innovation. David serves as Head of Actuarial Function for several insurers and contributes to ASSA’s work on life insurance, SAM and microinsurance.

Yeside is a qualified actuary and a Fellow of both the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and the Nigeria Actuarial Society (NAS). With over 20 years of experience across Europe and Africa, she is a seasoned insurance executive known for driving growth, innovation, and robust risk management in diverse and evolving markets. She has held senior and board-level roles, contributing to strategic direction, governance, and risk oversight. She currently serves as an Independent Director on several Boards, where she sits on Risk, Audit, and Remuneration Committees, strengthening enterprise risk management and supporting organisational sustainability objectives.

Beyond her corporate leadership, she is deeply committed to advancing the actuarial profession. She is a Past President of the Nigeria Actuarial Society and serves within the International Actuarial Association as Vice Chair of the Africa Committee, while also contributing to the Climate & Sustainability Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee. She is also the co-founder of the African Actuarial Development Academy (AADA), an initiative dedicated to expanding actuarial capacity and strengthening the profession across the continent.

Dr. Musiwalo Moses Khangale is the Manager of Stakeholder Programmes at Santam, leading the company’s flagship Partnership for Risk and Resilience (P4RR) programme. He brings extensive experience from senior roles in South Africa’s disaster risk and fire services system, including serving as Senior Manager of Fire Services at the National Disaster Management Centre.

He holds a PhD in Disaster Risk Studies, a Master’s in Disaster Management, and an MPhil in Leadership in Emerging Economies, complemented by executive training from Harvard Business School.

Dr. Khangale has played a central role in national resilience efforts, including heading the COVID-19 National Disaster Operations Centre, contributing to the White Paper on Fire Services, and co-chairing the UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group for the Africa–Europe–Middle East region. At Santam, he oversees P4RR support to municipalities across South Africa and drives key risk-reduction partnerships.

Mr. Chukwuemeka Akwiwu, also known as Emeka, is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in the reinsurance industry. Since 2021, he has served as the Group Executive Director of Continental Reinsurance Plc, overseeing approximately $200 million in premiums across Africa. Continental Reinsurance is the largest private pan-African reinsurance company, with offices in Lagos, Douala, Nairobi, Abidjan, Tunis, and Gaborone.

Before joining Continental Reinsurance, Mr. Akwiwu spent two decades at Gen Re, working in various roles across Manchester, London, and Johannesburg. His experience at Gen Re included serving as P&C Sub Sahara Regional Manager, Property Manager for South Africa, and Property Manager for the UK and Ireland. Mr. Akwiwu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Public Administration from Abia State University, Nigeria, and a Diploma in Insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute in London.

Mr. Philip Lopokoiyit is the Group CEO of ICEA LION Group. He was previously the CEO of ICEA LION General Insurance company having joined the Group in September 2021. He has a wealth of experience in Finance, Risk Management and Corporate Governance, having worked for over 20 years in various senior management capacities in multinational companies.

Philip was a board member of PSI (Principles of Sustainable Insurance) and a leadership council member of UNEP-FI until his term ended in December 2024. Philip is currently the Chair of the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI) and also a Non-Executive Director of NCBA Group Plc.

Patty Karuaihe-Martin is the Managing Director of NamibRe and immediate past President of the African Insurance Organization (AIO). She succeeded Cherif Benhabiles and took on this leadership role at a critical time when the organization is focusing on the challenges of rising natural catastrophes across Africa.

With over 30 years of experience in the financial sector, Karuaihe-Martin has been at the helm of NamibRe since 2014. She is a graduate of prestigious institutions, including HEC Paris and the Universities of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape-Occidental, KwaZulu-Natal, and Stellenbosch Business School in South Africa.

Her leadership extends beyond NamibRe, having served as Chairman of the Board of the Organization of Eastern and Southern Africa Insurers (OESAI) from 2018-2019. She was also Vice-President of the AIO from May 2023 to January 2024, further cementing her influence in the African insurance sector.

Roelof Coertze is Prudential plc’s Environment Director. He is based in the vibrant city of Nairobi.  Roelof joined Prudential in 2019, and since then, he has made significant contributions to the Actuarial, Risk, and Sustainability teams, as well as the regional Africa team. His expertise has been instrumental in developing climate scenario testing for the Group, and he has co-authored several sections on climate in its Sustainability reports. Most recently, Roelof served as the Head of Enterprise Risk Management for Africa.

Roelof is unwaveringly committed to sustainability, both professionally and personally. He has been actively involved in volunteering and co-chaired the Actuaries Carbon Collaboration alongside the then president of the UK actuarial society. On a personal note, Roelof is a proud father of two, and is dedicated to making the world a better place for future generations. He also recently achieved the impressive feat of completing a half marathon in a Kenyan wildlife sanctuary.

Zibusiso serves as a Climate Finance Officer at FBC Holdings Limited, bringing practical insights from prior experience as an Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Officer.

He focuses on the financial sector’s role in responsible ESG integration and reporting, specialising in sustainable and blended finance, ESG strategy, and the development of inclusive financial products. With a background in Environmental Science and Health and currently pursuing an MBA in Impact Entrepreneurship, Zibusiso actively contributes to regional sustainability efforts, having been part of the NDSI’s ESG Roadmap Working Group and the Southern African Climate Finance Partnership Programme. He offers invaluable perspectives on climate finance and practical ESG integration within emerging markets.

Zillah Malia is a Senior Manager – Climate Finance at FSD Africa, where she leads Sustainable Insurance, Renewable Energy, and Climate Adaptation programs. An economist with over a decade of experience in sustainable finance and development impact, she has worked across more than 30 African countries. Zillah is a Certified Expert in Sustainable Finance, Climate Adaptation Finance, and Renewable Energy Finance, and holds a Diploma in Green Finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. She has published several papers on sustainable development and is a recognized thought leader in the field. Her work focuses on designing and scaling innovative financial solutions that support climate resilience and serve vulnerable communities.

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.

Gerald is the Chief Investment Officer at ICEA LION Asset Management Limited. He holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Management, Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and Bachelors degree of Commerce from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Gerald is an investment professional with over 18 years expertise in investment strategy, asset allocation, and portfolio management across a wide range of asset classes. In addition, he has a proven track record of implementing robust governance frameworks and aligning investments with client liability profiles to deliver exceptional outcomes in complex, global markets.

He is a passionate advocate for the growth of Africa’s capital markets and has spearheaded numerous research initiatives for global development finance institutions and industry associations. He previously worked with RisCura Africa as the Executive Director, Atria Africa as a Partner, Imara as a Fund Manger, Business Partners International as the Regional Investment Manager and at FutureGrowth Asset Management as a Credit Analyst.