Patty Karuaihe-Martin, Managing Director of NamibRe, was elected President of the African Insurance Organization (AIO) on 5 June 2024, following the conclusion of the AIO’s 50th Conference and General Meeting in Windhoek, Namibia. 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 of 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.