The 11th Continental Reinsurance CEO Summit

The 11th Continental Reinsurance CEO Summit, held in Kigali, Rwanda, convened senior insurance and reinsurance leaders, regulators, policymakers, and industry thinkers from across Africa for a high‑level dialogue on the continent’s economic transformation. Centred on the theme “From Risk to Renaissance: De‑Risking and Enabling Africa’s Transformation,” the summit explored how Africa’s insurance and reinsurance sector can shift from a reactive posture to a proactive, catalytic force in the continent’s development.

A Focus on Africa’s Economic Resurgence

Speakers and panelists emphasised that strong, homegrown reinsurance institutions are essential to powering Africa’s next phase of economic growth. With billions in premiums still flowing offshore, experts warned that Africa cannot achieve sustainable development without significantly deepening domestic risk retention, strengthening underwriting capacity, and building resilient financial systems capable of absorbing shocks.

Continental Reinsurance Group Managing Director Lawrence Nazare underscored Rwanda’s transformation as a model for intentional, long‑term nation‑building. He urged African insurers and reinsurers to adopt the same clarity of purpose, discipline, and ambition, noting that the sector must “sit at the table with the architects of Africa’s transformation — not on the menu.”

Leadership, Governance, and the Role of Insurance in Africa’s Future

Discussions throughout the summit highlighted:

• The centrality of insurance to Africa’s development agenda, including Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
• The need for stronger regulatory frameworks, empowered regulators, and deeper collaboration across markets.
• The importance of talent retention, with leaders warning that Africa cannot build a resilient insurance ecosystem while losing skilled professionals to global markets.
• Calls for insurers to support governments in building food security, climate resilience, and infrastructure development.
• A shared recognition that Africa’s business environment is becoming more volatile and complex, requiring institutions that are future‑proof, innovative, and agile.

Speakers also stressed that Africa’s renaissance will depend on execution, not intention — urging industry leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive steps to strengthen local capacity, integrate markets, and build trust with the public.

CRe Awards for Africa

The summit also hosted the inaugural CRe Awards for Africa, celebrating excellence, innovation, and emerging leadership across the continent’s insurance and reinsurance landscape. The awards recognise organisations demonstrating commercial momentum, strategic impact, and bold, future‑focused innovation. Continental Reinsurance announced the shortlisted companies ahead of the ceremony following a rigorous evaluation process.

(As requested, no winners are named.)

Continental Reinsurance Journalism Awards

Alongside the CEO Summit and CRe Awards, Continental Reinsurance also held its annual Journalism Awards, honouring journalists whose reporting strengthens public understanding of insurance, risk, and economic resilience across Africa. The awards reflect Continental Re’s long‑standing commitment to supporting high‑quality, fact‑based journalism as a pillar of trust and sector development.

A Platform for Collaboration and a Call to Action

Across keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking sessions, the summit reinforced a shared message: Africa’s renaissance is possible — but only if insurers and reinsurers take their place as architects of transformation. Strengthening local capacity, investing in talent, and building resilient institutions were identified as non‑negotiable priorities.

The Kigali summit concluded with a renewed commitment from industry leaders to work collaboratively, champion innovation, and ensure that Africa’s insurance and reinsurance sector becomes a driver — not a passenger — in the continent’s economic resurgence.