Za Africa Insurace Outlook 2024
Za Africa Insurace Outlook 2024
Contents
1 2 3 4
Introduction Results matter Regional insurance view Regulation
Overview of the 2023 East Africa Insurance Navigating liquidity risk
financials overview within insurers
5 6 7 8
ESG Transforming the business Digital Endnotes
Sustainability and Climate - Is the future still African? Africa’s insurance industry:
beyond risk to impact and keeping pace in the digital
stakeholder value creation Product range rationalisation: race
the next big thing?
AI in insurance and road to
GenAI enablement
Introduction
The African insurance industry is at a pivotal juncture, The 2023 financial results of South Africa’s largest insurers highlight products with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and innovating
shaped by evolving economic conditions, regulatory the industry’s resilience amid economic challenges. These groups, for inclusion and resilience, insurers can transform challenges into
transformations, and rapid technological advancements. representing over 80% of the market, navigated a tough environment opportunities. This shift not only enhances societal impact but also
marked by high interest rates, inflation, and slow GDP growth. The secures long-term viability, positioning the insurance industry as a key
introduction of IFRS 17, with its focus on the Contractual Service Margin agent of change in a more sustainable and equitable future.
The 2024/25 Deloitte Africa (CSM), brought significant changes but did not materially affect insurers’
Insurance Outlook delves into critical capital positions. The industry continued to adapt, expanding into new Furthermore, the implementation of IFRS 17 has significantly changed
markets and leveraging digital platforms to enhance efficiency and financial reporting. Ghana’s National Insurance Commission, for
developments and emerging insurance customer engagement. example, has facilitated this transition through stakeholder training
trends, offering insights from various and the development of various reporting templates for the insurance
A first insight is that liquidity risk management has gained importance, industry. These initiatives ensure compliance and enhance transparency,
regions across the continent. driven by regulatory changes and market volatility. In South Africa, the despite the operational challenges posed by the new standard. Ghana’s
Prudential Authority emphasises robust stress-testing frameworks phased approach eases the burden on insurers, whilst seeking to align
We explore regulatory responses, digital innovations,
tailored for liquidity risk. Effective liquidity management involves local practices with global standards.
market trends, and future outlooks to provide a
comprehensive governance, precise measurement, and timely reporting.
comprehensive view of the industry’s current state and
Insurers are expected to establish contingency plans and design stress We note that rationalising product ranges is critical for achieving
future potential.
scenarios that encompass various market conditions, aligning with operational efficiency. South African insurers face challenges with
global standards to maintain sector stability. legacy products that increase costs and impede strategic initiatives.
Consolidating these products into modern versions can lead to efficiency
As climate catastrophes and economic inequality intensify, the insurance gains and reduced key person risk. Successful rationalisation requires
sector faces a critical juncture. Insurers must transition from traditional careful consideration of customer outcomes, regulatory compliance, and
risk aversion to proactive stakeholder value creation, leveraging their actuarial perspectives, ultimately enhancing competitive advantage.
unique position to drive sustainable development. By aligning financial
Africa’s insurance market has faced serious economic challenges over the past
year. However, the East African insurance market in particular has shown resilience
and growth despite obstacles. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia have varying
degrees of insurance penetration, driven by public awareness and new distribution
channels. Kenya saw a 4% growth in gross written premiums in 2022, while Tanzania
experienced significant life insurance premium growth. The region’s insurers have
shown increased focus on digital transformation and innovative products to meet
diverse customer needs.
Growth reported by the non-life insurers Overview of the industry results reported under IFRS 17
Premiums reported by non-life insurers in South Africa Three of the five insurance groups referenced in this article have 31 December year ends, and two have 30 June year ends. For the
exceeded R207 billion, solid growth of 13% from 2022’s latter two groups, their 2023 interim results and historic announcements were used to prepare pro-forma IFRS results for the 12-month
R183 billion. These amounts were extracted from the period ended 31 December 2023. The table below summarises the IFRS results for the five insurance groups on the basis described.
South African Reserve Bank (SARB) statistics for the The “total” or “aggregated” calculations are the sum of the five insurance groups. Comparative information is not presented as it was not
12 months ended 31 December 2023 for all the non-life available for all insurance groups.
insurers (primary, cell captive, and captive insurers). Momentum Liberty
When viewed against the sum of the country’s growth Old Mutual Sanlam Metropolitan Group Discovery
in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Consumer Price Rand million Limited Limited Holdings Limited Limited Limited Total
Inflation (CPI) during the same period at 6.5% this is a Extracts from the consolidated statement of financial position at 31 December 2023
healthy increase. Insurers or divisions that reported
Total Assets 1 156 582 990 452 661 328 453 258 261 924 3 523 544
notable growth included Old Mutual Insure (17%) and
Guardrisk Insurance (22%). In the case of Old Mutual Total liabilities -1 098 007 -893 547 -631 940 -436 844 -209 718 -3 270 056
Insure, the growth reported takes account of recent Equity 58 575 96 905 29 388 16 414 52 206 253 488
acquisitions of subsidiaries that were consolidated for
the first time.
Extracts from the consolidated statement of profit or loss for the 12 months ended 31 December 2023
Profit/(loss) before tax from continuing operations 13 966 20 682 8 235 4 921 9 324 57 128
Whilst at face value this is good news, the message is
more nuanced: Tax 6 333 7 079 -5 030 -2 455 -2 553 -23 450
Profit/(loss) after tax from continuing operations 7 633 13 603 3 205 2 466 6 771 33 678
• Catastrophe losses have been elevated in the
past decade due to high-loss events from storms
and floods. The same SARB statistics show that The financial results in the table above were compiled from the insurance groups’ first financial reporting using IFRS 17 as their basis
reinsurance premiums also increased by 12% to of preparation for insurance contracts. Over the past four to five years, the groups have deployed project teams that interpreted the
R70 billion in 2023. Reinsurance premiums for the requirements of the standard and developed the data and system and processing requirements that facilitated the measurement
industry in aggregate form about a third of gross models required by the standard.
premiums. A sizeable portion of the growth in gross
premiums did not flow to shareholders but funded The standard requires reporters to restate their equity (net asset value) position at a date one year prior to the implementation date
the higher cost of reinsurance. using methods that approximate the requirements of the standard as if it had always been applied. It is no surprise that with the
implementation of IFRS 17 there is no consistency in the transition adjustments by reporter. The impact varies by type of insurance
• Not all parts the non-life market experienced the contract as well as how insurers previously set up, and then released, margins for uncertainty in their actuarial provisions. Put another
same growth. Some insurers reported muted way – the impact of the change to IFRS 17 on the net asset value was as much to do with the accounting policies elected under IFRS 4
growth in their direct personal lines portfolios due (the standard that IFRS 17 replaced) as the requirements of the new standard. The table below shows the IFRS 17 transition impact by
to consumers being under financial pressure. In insurance group.
contrast, certain speciality insurance divisions and
Momentum Liberty
niche risk underwriters were able to rerate policies
Old Mutual Sanlam Metropolitan Group Discovery
to recoup past losses. It therefore remains important Limited Limited Holdings Limited Limited Limited
to understand the types of risks underwritten by Rand million 31 Dec 21 31 Dec 21 30 Jun 22 31 Dec 21 30 Jun 22 Total
an insurer to benchmark its volume metrics and
Impact of IFRS 17 restatement
profitability against the industry.
Equity as previously reported 65 301 82 896 24 942 14 683 53 555 241 377
IFRS 17 transition adjustment, net of tax -4 463 13 638 3 084 -1 800 -12 570 -2 111
Other - - - - -163 -163
Equity after the restatements 60 838 96 534 28 026 12 883 40 822 239 103
On an aggregated basis, the reduction in equity of R2.1 billion is less than 1% of equity. A take-away is that Another notable observation is that for some of its long-boundary portfolios, Discovery Limited made an
the industry’s capital position under an IFRS reporting basis did not change materially, which should also accounting policy choice per the standard to disaggregate its insurance finance income or expenses (mostly
be good news for the prudential regulator. changes in the time value of money) between profit or loss and Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). In its
investor presentation, Discovery highlights that, for them, the use of the OCI option removes the volatility from
A key feature of the new reporting standard is the introduction of a profit deferral liability on each book changes in economic assumptions in profit or loss. For the 12 months ended 31 December 2023, Discovery
of business, for longer duration contracts.. This is referred to as the Contractual Service Margin (CSM). included insurance finance income or expenses of R1 153 million (expense) in OCI before taxation.
The CSM represents the unearned profit for providing future insurance coverage, and a portion of it is
released into revenue and therefore operating profits each year. Put more simply, it is the expected future Turning to the reporters’ statements of changes in equity, we note that all groups paid dividends. Sanlam and
profit to be earned from in-force insurance contracts. Naturally, shareholders have taken an interest in this Old Mutual also continued with their share buy-back programmes.
disclosure. The table below shows the CSM as reported by the insurance groups at 31 December 2023.
In next year’s article the authors intend to start providing commentary on the movement in the CSM from
Overview of the EV results
one year to the next as this information becomes available.
Earlier in the article we mentioned that the CSM is sometimes compared to Value of In-force business, and some
industry commentators even argue that EV reporting will no longer be relevant after the implementation of
Momentum IFRS17. Nonetheless, EV reporting still offers valuable insights into shareholder value, and based on the extent of
Metropolitan Liberty EV reporting by the insurance groups in 2023, the industry is not yet ready to abandon it. Moreover, we have not
Old Mutual Sanlam Holdings Group Discovery
witnessed any significant changes in the way EV is reported following the introduction of IFRS17. The table below
Rand million Limited Limited Limited Limited Limited Total
shows the analysis of the earnings on EV.
Extracts from the consolidated statement of financial position at 31 December 2023
CSM for contracts not
62 368 29 732 21 448 20 957 48 150 182 655 Aggregated change in EV for the 12 months ending 31 Dec 2023
measured under the PAA
R’millions
300 000
Whilst the CSM is a useful value metric for shareholders, and it has been compared with the Value of In-
290 000
force for covered business reported in EV results, it does come with a health warning. The CSM should be
280 000
seen in the context of: 280 808 280 808 284 764 284 764 285 589 285 589 279 397 268 345
270 000
268 345
• the product mix - reporters with relatively more short boundary business will report a lower CSM. The 260 000
value of future renewals of existing contracts is therefore not captured in the CSM. 251 404 257 838
250 000
251 404
• the approach for determining the risk adjustment that has a consequential impact on the CSM. An 240 000
insurer with a larger risk adjustment due to the insurer applying an increased confidence level will result 230 000
in a lower CSM.
220 000
• interest is accreted to the CSM annually using the historical yield curve at the inception of the group of 210 000
contracts (annual cohort). Yield curves in South Africa are upward sloping with the effect that interest 200 000
EV
Start
VNB
Expected
earnings
Operating
assumption &
model changes
Operational
experience
Economic
assumption
changes
Investment
experience
accreted (expensed) in the later durations of the CSM unwind are more pronounced.
Extraordinary
expenses/
development costs
Dividends, other
capital flows and
transfers
Foreign currency
movements
EV End
Other
2024/25 Africa Insurance Outlook 5
Introduction Results matter Regional insurance view Regulation ESG Transforming the business Digital Endnotes
While demographic experience has improved, resulting in positive shareholder value, the economic Overview of the industry regulatory Solvency Capital results
environment continues to erode this value. Nevertheless, there is still a net positive shareholder value being Insurance groups have continued to report relatively healthy regulatory Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR)
created, and as noted earlier, insurance groups are paying some of this value back to shareholders in the form cover ratios, ranging from 150% to 188%. However, over the past few years, there has been a general trend of
of dividends. decreasing SCR ratios, with some insurance groups lowering their solvency target ranges. In addition, there
appears to be a convergence in SCR cover ratios across the industry in the most recent year, with the range
The insurance groups have experienced a mixed set of results in terms of the VNB sold, as can be seen from narrowing from approximately 150% to 185% in 2021, to around 170% to 180% in 2023.
the graph.
The graph below illustrates the group SCR ratios.
Value of New Business and VNB Margins
for the 12 months ended 31 December 2021, 2022 and 2023 SCR Cover Ratios
3 000 3.50% 210%
181% 184% 188% 178%
2.87% 172% 176% 170% 173%
169% 170%
2.85%
3.00% 160%
2 500 160% 150%
2.72%
2.31% 2.50%
2 000
Rands (millions)
110%
Cover ratio
2.18% 2.00%
1.94%
1 500
1.50% 60%
1 000
1.09% 1.00%
0.60% 10%
0.47%
500 0.50% Liberty Old Mutual MMH Sanlam
0.27% 0.50%
SCR Cover Ratios at 31 Dec 2021 SCR Cover Ratios at 31 Dec 2022 SCR Cover Ratios at 31 Dec 2023
0%
Liberty* Old Mutual MMH Sanlam Discovery**
Discovery has been excluded from the above graph because the Group does not disclose group solvency ratios. However, it is
VBN 12 months to 31 Dec 2021 VBN 12 months to 31 Dec 2021 VBN 12 months to 31 Dec 2021 worth noting that the Discovery Life SCR ratio was 180%.
New Business Margin Dec 2021 New Business Margin Dec 2021 New Business Margin Dec 2021
*The Standard Bank group did not publish Liberty’s VNB margins for 31 December 2023.
**Discovery Group discloses VNB and APE but does not disclose PVNBP. In summary
The 2023 financial year continued to be a period of recovery but with signs of organic growth. “Robust” was a
word favoured by management teams to describe their financial results.
Overall, the industry has witnessed improvements in new business volumes, although in some instances, at
the expense of a lower VNB. Some insurance groups also reported lower VNB margins than the year before Whilst the authors of this article, being from the accounting and actuarial professions, took much delight in
- attributing their lower margins to expense inflation, poorer persistency, and a new business sales mix that analysing how the reporters applied IFRS 17, even we need to acknowledge that the results as reported do not
favours lower margin products. The economic pressures on the consumer and intermediary behaviour tell the full story.
requires insurers to constantly monitor VNB margins and tune the distribution machine when volume and
profit are not aligned. Some insurers with a foothold in the more affluent markets also commented on The industry keeps repositioning itself driven through seeking diversification and scale benefits. Just in the
policyholders reducing their policy benefits in order to manage the affordability of their policies. past year there are clear examples of where the insurance groups in this article bolstered their banking and
healthcare capabilities, acquired smaller insurers for a specific skillset or scale, started distributing products
digitally that better service customers, and further developed joint venture relationships that provide them
access to markets they have not operated in previously. The results of these efforts will be evident in the 2024
results, and beyond.
The East African insurance sector has been on a rising trajectory, Kenya Uganda
despite macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges in the In Kenya, the insurance industry saw a 4% growth in gross written There has been a consistent upward growth in the Ugandan
region. The region has experienced an increased demand for risk premiums in 2022, reaching $2.5 billion. However, despite this insurance market. In Uganda, both life and general insurance
transfer solutions and insurers are focusing on digital and market growth, the insurance penetration rate slightly dropped from products recorded an average of 21% growth in FY22, driven
operation transformation. The total insurance penetration rate 2.16% to 2.14%. Non-life insurance remains the dominant sector, by the opening up of the economy following the removal of
for the region in 2022 stood at 1.39%, with insurance penetration contributing 54% of the industry’s gross written premiums, with a state-imposed Covid-19 restrictions, and increased insurance
at 2.14% in Kenya, 0.62% in Tanzania, 0.74% in Uganda, and 0.3% growth rate of 3.5%. The life insurance market showed a moderate penetration, propelled in turn by the increased awareness of
in Ethiopia. increase of 4.5%, diverging from the previous year’s substantial insurance protection in times of crisis. The insurance penetration
16.9% growth. The lower growth rate is mainly attributed to the rate grew slightly from 0.7% to 0.73%, indicating an improved
increase in the inflation rate of KSH against the USD. contribution of the insurance industry to the economy. Despite
non-life insurance dominating, the life insurance sector is
Tanzania experiencing faster and steady growth, averaging 36% of total
Insurance penetration rate Tanzania experienced a 14% increase in gross written premiums, insurance revenue over the last three years.
3.0% reaching $450 million in 2022, with a slight improvement in
insurance penetration rates from 0.58% to 0.62%. Non-life Ethiopia
2.5% insurance dominates, contributing 83.2% of the industry’s gross The insurance industry in Ethiopia is still a very small part of its
2.0% written premiums and showing a 9.27% increase from 2020. The economy. With its gross written premiums of USD 315 million in
growth is attributed to increased public awareness, new distribution 2022, the insurance industry formed only 0.3% of the GDP of the
1.5% channels, and demand-driven insurance products. country. There was a slight drop in gross written premiums from
1.0% 2020 to 2021, resulting from the depreciation of the Ethiopian
In 2022, the life insurance industry experienced a noteworthy 33.9% Birr to the USD, an adverse effect of 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic.
0.5% surge in gross written premiums, maintaining its steady upward However locally, there was a growth in premiums over the period.
0% trajectory since 2015 with a 17.2% compound annual growth rate. As with most African countries, the non-life insurance sector
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 The main driver of this growth has been an increase in premium dominates the overall insurance market in Ethiopia. This sector of
revenue from the group life class of business. This expansion the industry accounted for 93% of the total industry gross written
Tanzania Uganda Kenya was propelled by heightened awareness resulting from various premiums in 2022.
educational and sensitisation programs. Further growth is expected
due to the increasing number of bancassurance agents, who are a
key sale channel for distributing life insurance products.
Technology and innovation The insurance industry in East Africa must embrace ESG principles
Rapid technological advancements are ushering in a new era in and innovate in response to climate change, ensuring sustainable
the insurance industry. With the constant improvements in and practices and resilient risk management for future stability.
development of artificial intelligence (AI), insurers are improving the
Industry readiness
The emergence of COVID, the economic downturn resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Government of Ghana
debt exchange programme have caused Ghanaian insurance companies to be overly relaxed about the implementation
of IFRS 17. However, with NIC support, insurers and reinsurers are navigating the implementation of IFRS 17, despite being
faced with data challenges and implementation costs.
Next steps
The NIC, in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), is formulating the tax regime for insurers and reinsurers
on how taxes will be paid based on IFRS 17.
Additionally, the NIC is engaging external stakeholders (like journalists) to provide an understanding of the financial
performance of insurers and reinsurers under the new reporting standard.
The implementation of IFRS 17 will augment and accelerate the NIC’s efforts to institute a risk-based capital (RBC) regime
in Ghana. While IFRS 17 is a global financial reporting standard, we at Deloitte believe it will still form a key component of
the measurement model of local RBC frameworks that are under development. Ghana’s planned RBC regime shares many
common traits with similar regimes such as Solvency II in the European Union (EU) and the Solvency Assessment and
Measurement (SAM) framework in South Africa. As such, regulators implementing RBC frameworks will look to insurers Authors
leveraging the capabilities they have built for financial reporting. This compatibility supports the development of robust
capital adequacy models, enhances regulatory oversight, and ensures that insurers maintain sufficient capital to cover their Kwabena Situ
risks. In turn, this contributes to the overall stability and resilience of the insurance sector. Partner, Assurance:
Financial Services Industry (FSI)
Deputy Leader
Deloitte Africa
Conclusion ksitu@deloitte.com.gh
The regulatory response to IFRS 17 in Ghana is indicative of the sensitive and delicate balancing act regulators must
perform between advancing financial stability, improving transparency, and aiding insurers in their implementation
efforts without undue cost. Hagar Opoku Agyemang
Assistant Manager:
Even though there are still obstacles to overcome, proactive involvement and cooperative efforts from the regulator, Actuarial & Quantitative Solutions
insurers, and other stakeholders are crucial to navigating this new standard and the ever-evolving insurance reporting Deloitte Africa
landscape. tmachira@deloitte.co.ke
e
surrenders drive the increase in liquidity risk. The contrasting movements in liquidity
al
ts
risk and solvency measures are consistent with the upward shift in the yield curve
se
As
during this period,5 particularly when insurers did not intentionally hedge their liabilities
completely or where the duration of the liabilities exceeds that of the assets. The long
duration convexity implies that liability values decline more than asset values when
Insurance product
mp ac t
Yields push
higher
interest rates rise, strengthening solvency.6 However, this will not result in a cash inflow Liabilities with
nd I
offset against margin calls on derivatives and hence could adversely impact liquidity. future payment
obligations
ou
This highlights the need to differentiate liquidity stresses from those used for capital
dR
and solvency and to tailor these stresses to each insurer’s products and specific risk
n
Market stress event Hedge
co
profile.
Se
– sharp increase in yield curve instruments
– reduced cash and asset decline in
liquidity value causing
When faced with the heightening tumult of The toll on the insurance sector from the Durban floods alone, Impact on society and stakeholder value creation
according to the Insurance Council of South Africa, reached billions of
climate catastrophes and economic inequality, Rands, highlighting the economic impact of such climate events. These
The long-term viability of corporates is about delivering value to
stakeholders, beyond monetary returns. Value encompasses concepts
the insurance sector – both long term and short incidents cost the insurance sector dearly – not just in monetary terms, such as job satisfaction, career development and growth, local economic
term – stands at a crossroads between risk but also in the potential shrinkage of insurable items and clientele. development, environmental restoration, economic upliftment, and
This is a worrisome trend, which is impacting both the industry’s profit
aversion and innovation. By shifting the focus margins, and the socio-economic stability insurers aim to uphold. The
access to education. The impact of the insurance industry extends far
beyond its financial products. It is about the peace of mind afforded
from risk management to proactive stakeholder very essence of insurance is to offer a safety net for those blindsided to individuals, the economic stability provided to communities, and
value creation, insurance companies can by unforeseen events. When insurance becomes unattainable, either the capacity-building that comes through employee training and
due to cost or unwillingness to underwrite, individuals bear the brunt development. Insurers have a responsibility to ensure that their actions
transform adversities into avenues for growth and are compelled to dip into personal funds to recover from previously contribute positively to society.
and social upliftment. insurable losses.
Challenges facing the insurance industry Long-term insurers face a different set of challenges. Their focus is on
Short-term insurers are at a pivotal junction as climate-related risks, the performance of investments they hold and the risks that could erode
epidemics, endemic diseases, frail social structure, and sustainability returns: the transition to a new economy, stranded assets, and emerging
are no longer mere buzzwords, but pressing realities shaping both risks technologies.
and opportunities. For example, Malawi has experienced catastrophic
flooding due to heavy rainfalls, while South African provinces Gauteng, Both short-term and long-term insurers need to navigate these
Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal have suffered damaging thunderstorms, treacherous waters, but within the challenges lies a silver lining. If banks
the latter still reeling from the aftermath of social unrest. These natural decline to finance, or insurers refuse to underwrite certain projects,
and human disasters have not only inflicted significant human suffering, the financial services sector is uniquely positioned to effectively
but have also resulted in substantial financial losses for the insurance redirect government and corporate behaviours, steering the course
industry, local economies, economic value chains, and people’s livelihoods. of development to truly sustainable development. Here is where the
unparalleled opportunity for insurers lies: to redefine their role in society.
Innovating for inclusion and resilience Managing risks and creating opportunities
Insurance companies should view the changing dynamics as a The rise in natural disasters as a result of climate change has
catalyst for innovation. Rather than narrowing the scope of available raised the spectre of uninsurability. Insurers need to become
financial products, there is a vital need to expand and tailor these more sophisticated in their risk assessment and management
products to meet the evolving needs of society. This is not just about strategies. The use of advanced analytics and climate modelling can
creating new insurance products as such; it’s about forging a new help insurers better understand and price these emerging risks.
path that recognises the interconnectedness of environmental, Moreover, by underwriting innovative products that encourage
social, and economic factors. Businesses need to recognise that risk-reducing behaviours, insurers can create opportunities out of
if society fails, their operations will also fail. It is imperative for challenges.
insurance companies to operate with this understanding. It is only
then that they can function as agents of change, driving corporations For example, insurers can offer premium discounts to homeowners
and government towards sustainable, inclusive, and resilient who invest in weather-resistant home improvements or businesses
practices. that adopt sustainable practices. Such initiatives not only mitigate
risk but also promote societal resilience.
For example, active participation in initiatives such as the Nairobi
Declaration of Sustainable Insurance, as seen with Old Mutual in A sustainable environment enables thriving
South Africa, drives the kind of change that will make markets more businesses
sustainable. South African banks, such as Nedbank and FirstRand, Insurance companies must evolve from a traditional risk-centric view
are also demonstrating leadership by divesting from environmentally Authors
to a broader perspective that encompasses impact and stakeholder
detrimental projects or industries. The insurance industry too is value creation. The industry’s response to heightened risks, such as
gradually moving away from underwriting high-pollution industries, Jayne Mammatt
the increasing frequency of uninsurable events, will define its future
like coal. Partner:
relevance and viability. Insurers that embrace this call to innovate
ESG, Sustainability and Climate Change
will not only secure their own sustainability but will also play a pivotal
But the journey doesn’t end with exclusionary tactics. The real Deloitte Africa
role in the broader economic and social landscape.
opportunity lies in the creative reinvention of financial products that jmammatt@deloitte.co.za
foster inclusivity and resilience and support a “just transition”. For The creation of inclusive, forward-thinking financial products that
example, insurers can introduce products that protect smallholder Lindy Schmaman
address the realities of climate change and social inequality will
farmers against climate variability, thereby securing food sources Associate Director:
pave the way for a more resilient and equitable future. It is through
and livelihoods. They can also develop affordable insurance ESG strategy and Climate Risk Management
this lens that insurance companies must operate, looking beyond
packages that support low-income households in becoming more lschmaman@deloitte.co.za
immediate profits to the long-term sustainability of both their
resilient against disasters, thereby addressing issues of affordability business and the communities they serve. By doing so, insurers
and accessibility. become more than just financial safety nets; they become integral
partners in the journey towards a more sustainable and resilient
Linking insurance products to Sustainable world.
Development Goals (SDGs)
We at Deloitte see successful insurers of the future aligning The insurance sector has the unique potential to not only protect
products with SDGs and contributing to global priorities such as against risks but also to actively shape a better future. By developing
poverty alleviation, clean energy, and climate action. By aligning innovative products, advocating for responsible public policies, and
products with the SDGs, insurers can not only enhance the social investing in sustainable initiatives, insurers can create substantial
impact of their offerings but also open new markets. For instance, value for all stakeholders. As the industry adapts to the changing
microinsurance products designed for low-income populations landscape, it must ensure that it does not simply react to risks but
can support SDG 1 (No Poverty) by providing safety nets against also seizes the opportunities to make a positive impact, fostering an
personal or business losses, while insurance products that environment where economic growth and societal wellbeing go hand
incentivise the installation of renewable energy solutions can in hand.
advance SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
Botswana 2.46%
Tunisia 2.28% African population size (billion people) from Year 1990 to 2050
Kenya 2.25% 3
Eswatini 2.23%
2.5
Population (Billions)
Zambia 1.32%
2
Zimbabwe
1.5
Nigeria
Apart from South Africa, where the insurance penetration rate is at 11.54%, the rest of the 0.5
continent remains relatively untapped. Africa has been attracting several innovative start-up
0
insurance companies aiming to bridge the insurance gap. These start-ups have been leveraging
1990 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026* 2031* 2036* 2041* 2046*
mobile technologies to provide microinsurance solutions to underserved and previously
Year
unreachable customers. They offer affordable, sometimes instant, and accessible insurance
coverage, including life, health, and crop insurance, reaching millions of previously uninsured
Source: Fitch Solutions, UN Medium Projection17
individuals. Examples of start-ups include the following:
• Turaco, a Kenyan insurtech, with additional operations in Uganda and Nigeria, offers tailor-
made and affordable health insurance cover to low-income individuals and families11.
• Some insurtechs are revolutionising premium payment and The Insurance Act of 2017 introduced a new licensing framework
collection systems, making it easier for customers to pay that allows for the creation of micro-insurers in South Africa. This
insurance premiums via their mobile phones. An example has enabled retailers and telecommunications companies to acquire
is Ayo, a mobile insurance policy available to MTN prepaid or partner with micro-insurers to offer insurance products to their
Authors
customers, providing life and hospital insurance cover19. customers. Non-insurance players in South Africa are also finding their Takalani Sikhavhakhavha
seat at the table through cell captive insurance, where they benefit from Senior Associate Director: AIS
Customer expectations and behaviour are constantly evolving. an insurance license of a cell captive provider, allowing them to focus Deloitte Africa
Retail giants such as Amazon and Takealot have contributed to on their core distribution capability and meeting the needs of their tsikhavhakhavha@deloitte.co.za
shortening the value chain such that customers now expect customers at a reduced cost.
a frictionless engagement providing instant gratification.
Gone are the days where customers would engage with their Governments across Africa are recognising the potential of insurtech
Lauren Lanz
provider multiple times to purchase a single insurance product. and fintech start-ups in driving financial inclusion and economic growth.
Senior Manager: AIS
Furthermore, millennials are more willing to change insurance Regulatory sandboxes and innovation hubs are being established to
Deloitte Africa
providers than older generations if they are not satisfied with foster collaboration between start-ups and established insurance
llanz@deloitte.co.za
the customer engagement process – and competitors are companies. In South Africa, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority
making it easy for them to do so. (FSCA) has launched an innovation hub to support insurtech and fintech
start-ups, facilitating regulatory compliance and fostering industry
partnerships . This helps to create an environment that promotes
increased insurance penetration and encourages innovation by players
in the industry
Source: Deloitte
A GLOBAL CASE STUDY Why is digital readiness difficult to achieve? Challenge of measuring success
Generali wants ‘a robot for every The primary purpose of embracing digital is to be able to deliver Even under the best circumstances, where leadership teams have
person’ enhanced experiences to stakeholders, most critically, to customers. recognised the need for a shift in culture and ensured stakeholders
Generali, one of the world’s largest insurance In a recent consumer study, 75% of customers of the world’s top are committed to do so, it can be difficult to measure success. The
providers, has recognised the importance of having 100 insurance providers, reported that they encountered issues success of changes in culture are particularly tricky to measure
every employee “think digitally” in their quest in navigating websites and struggled to find the information they objectively as they result in differences in behaviours and attitudes,
to be a truly digital underwriter. As such, their needed when trying to purchase insurance digitally26. This begs the rather than changes in process or financial results. A common
strategy focuses on ‘enabling employees to create question, why are so few insurers achieving a positive customer consequence is that leadership is given too little runway to truly
their own automations’, establishing ‘a robot for outcome when so many are investing in digital? impact culture, as value is usually expected to be demonstrated
every person™’. Automating larger, more complex within each budgeting cycle. Alternative proxy measures should be
processes requires time and significant resources. A failure to recognise that digital transformation requires a introduced, such as number of transactions delivered digitally or
While these initiatives are likely to result in larger holistic view number of digitally-enabled processes.
savings, Generali has focused on smaller, less Instead of creating a culture, that prepares their workforces to
complex and repetitive tasks, where technologies embrace and leverage new technologies, many insurance companies In addition to the aforementioned difficulties, Africa has unique
such as Robotic Process Automation can be still view technology as the key driving force for transformation. overarching challenges, such as relatively inflexible regulatory
implemented quickly and effectively5. As such, this investment has often focused on introducing new systems, which exacerbate the problem. While these present
technology, while not ensuring the organisation is ready to receive it, additional impediments for Africa, there are also unique
To do this, Generali provides training to ensure leading to low adoption rates or processes which are not receptive opportunities available, to make an impact digitally in Africa.
employees have the skills and knowledge needed and suitable for these technologies.
to utilise the technology available to execute on
Unique challenges and opportunities for the African insurance sector4
their task. They piloted this training for interested The inherent difficulty in transforming culture
employees; and then armed with success stories Even when leadership teams have prioritised their investments
Particularly manual, cumbersome
from the pilot they successfully rolled it out across in creating a digitally-ready cultures, changing an incumbent
legacy systems, which makes Significant, growing
the organisation. As a result, Generali has managed culture is not always easy. The fear of change, a lack of buy-in from
integration with new technology difficult mobile penetration
to create a digitally ready workforce by putting the stakeholders or the difficulty to articulate why change is need are
power to transform any part of the business, in ‘the among the most common obstacles. Furthermore, culture change
hands of employees’ at every level25. has to be driven from the top, and a common reason why culture
transformation initiatives fail is due to a lack of ownership by Significant and observable
Designing today’s architecture to support the next leadership. Leaders often fail to or lack the commitment to change Rules-based regulatory
success of other
systems leading Challenges
wave of technology is not practicable, since we their own behaviour. This creates the impression that no one is truly industries converging
to less room from
cannot predict what it will look like in the future. But accountable for change and therefore reduces commitment across Opportunities into financial services,
senior management to
an organisation can foster a culture which values the organisation. creating greater
experiment
approaching new technology with curiosity, flexibility, opportunities to partner
and nimbleness. This is a people-led approach,
which digitally mature businesses are using to
future-proof in these digitally turbulent times. Insufficient awareness Access to virtual/
of benchmarks of what gig-workforce to
good looks like support talent gaps
Source: Deloitte
Most digitally-ready organisations utilise a digital ecosystem that they have established
around themselves. Suppliers within these ecosystems perform specialised functions along
the value chain, thereby allowing insurers to access these specialist skills, technologies,
and processes expeditiously and at a fraction of the cost. Furthermore, they can test the
impact and effectiveness of what these supply partners offer in pilot-like environments,
without requiring massive investments or disrupting their core functions. By not designing
all these systems or processes in-house, they also improve the speed of integration of new
technology, and ease some of the burden related to governance and change management.
Authors
This approach focuses an organisation’s workforce on identifying and acting on
opportunities to leverage external capabilities, without the need for in-house expertise. Katlego Thaba
However, it requires a workforce which thinks digitally, spots opportunities to improve the Senior Associate Director: Actuarial and
business using technology, and shows a willingness to experiment with technology. It is Insurance Solutions
a people-led approach, not purely a technology-led approach; one which empowers the kthaba@deloitte.co.za
end-users to identify and enable the most pressing digitalisation opportunities, and one
where IT departments become true enablers of business transformation. Insurers who don’t
recognise the importance of a people-led digital transformation journey and fail to make Lily Xu
significant strides to create a digitally-ready workforce that is quick to adopt and quick to Senior Manager: Actuarial and
adapt to new technologies, run the risk of widening the gap between themselves and the Insurance Solutions
digital leaders in the industry. lxu6@deloitte.co.za
Jodi Christensen
Manager: Actuarial and
Insurance Solutions
jodchristensen@deloitte.co.za
• Stay aware of the ongoing legislation and guidance frameworks for compliance, such as the AI EU
Act, the AI regulation proposed by the European Commission, and other applicable data privacy
regulations such as the POPI Act, GDPR and local adaptations such as NDPR in Nigeria.
• Ensure regular surveillance and governance of AI systems, both internally and with vendors,
by using tools and methods such as auditing, testing, monitoring, and reporting, to ensure the
quality, accuracy, and fairness of the AI outputs.
Authors
• Be transparent and accountable to customers, by providing clear and understandable
Jania Okwechime
information about the use and purpose of generative AI, the data sources and methods used, and
Partner:
the potential risks and benefits involved, and by allowing customers to opt-in or opt-out of the AI
Africa AI & Data Leader
services, or to challenge and appeal the AI decisions.
Deloitte Africa
• Carry out regular training throughout the organisation on generative AI use. Educate and jokwechime@deloitte.com.ng
empower employees, agents, and partners on the potential and risks of generative AI, by
providing them with the necessary skills and tools to use generative AI effectively and responsibly.
At Deloitte, we have developed our Trustworthy AITM Framework which guides organisations to
mitigate such risks. The framework defines specific governance requirements and states that any
AI solutions should be developed based on the following six pillars, whereby AI should be Private,
Transparent & Explainable, Fair & Impartial, Responsible, Accountable, Robust & Reliable, and Safe
& Secure.
Endnotes
1
Liquidity within the Life Insurance industry, Deloitte South Africa, 2021, https://www.deloitte.com/za/ 16
Account ownership at a financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider, secondary
en/Industries/financial-services/analysis/liquidity-within-the-life-insurance-industry.html. education or more (% of population ages 15+) -
Sub-Saharan Africa | Data (worldbank.org)
2
Guidance on liquidity risk management for insurers, Guidance Note 1 of 2022, Financial Sector
Regulation Act 2017, Prudential Authority (South African Reserve Bank). 17
https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-economy/wp-content/
uploads/2022/10/The-Mobile-Economy-Sub-Saharan-Africa-2022-Infographic.pdf
3
Guidance on liquidity risk management for insurers, Guidance Note 1 of 2022, Financial Sector
Regulation Act 2017, Prudential Authority (South African Reserve Bank). 18
https://bimamilvik.com/the-bima-model
4
Prudential Authority Annual Report 2022/2023, South African Reserve Bank 2023. 19
https://momo.mtn.com/insurance/
5
The differential between the R186 (2026 maturity) and the R2040 (2040 maturity) used as a proxy 20
MTN Group and Sanlam announce strategic Insuretech alliance | MTN.com
for the shape of the yield curve (Refinitiv).
Statista (2024) – Insurance industry in Africa
21
6
Life insurance companies – the missing relief from rising interest rates; Bank for International 22
Further Africa (2022) – African countries with the highest number of mobile phones
Settlements Quarterly Review, Bettina Farkas, Ulf Lewrick, Tomas Stastny and Nikola Tarashev,
4 December 2023. 23
Pivotal data (2023) – The State of Customer Experience – chapter 3
7
Refinitiv data, R2030 government bond was used as a proxy. 24
Deloitte (2023) - Digital Maturity Assessment research performed by Deloitte AIS
8
United Kingdom Government Bonds 25
Uipath (2024) – Generali: Building a smart automation ecosystem
9
World Bank. 2024. Global Economic Prospects, January 2024. © Washington, DC: World Bank. 26
Ultmedia (2023) – The Top 100 Global Insurance Companies
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/40715 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.
10
https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?QueryId=25444
11
Turaco | The inclusive insurance solution for emerging markets.
12
Home - Pula (pula-advisors.com)
13
Africa: total population forecast 2020-2050 | Statista
14
https://www.economist.com/special-report/2020/03/26/africas-population-will-double-by-2050
15
Young People’s Potential, the Key to Africa’s Sustainable Development | Office of the High
Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island
Developing States
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