Africa's insurance industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals, which threatens its growth and creates demand for stronger training and professional development. The sector relies on trained practitioners to assess risks, manage insurance claims, advise policyholders, and develop products that respond to changing market needs. Weak professional capacity can affect service delivery, governance, and public confidence in insurance.
The growth of insurance markets across the continent has increased the need for specialised skills in underwriting, risk management, actuarial practice, and pension administration. Building this expertise is part of efforts to strengthen the industry's ability to serve businesses and individuals. Professional training has become crucial in developing the workforce needed to support the sector. More than 5,500 insurance professionals and 8,500 pension trustees have received training aimed at strengthening expertise and improving professional capacity.
The College of Insurance in Kenya is one of the institutions responding to this demand, with training programs that have reached practitioners in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, and the wider Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region. The institution's Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ben Kajwang, has received the 7th Global Change Makers Award organised by Project 100, becoming the first Kenyan CEO to receive the honour.
Dr Kajwang's work in insurance education and professional development forms part of his wider contribution to the sector, which has also earned him recognition in Kenya and across the region. He was named a National Hero by President William Ruto during the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 20, 2026, at Uasin Gishu State Lodge. He was listed as Hero No. 186 among 264 honourees under the category of Scholarship, Professionalism, and Research.
The government recognised Dr Kajwang's contribution to the advancement of the insurance sector in Kenya and across Africa, a field in which he has held leadership positions beyond the College of Insurance. Dr Kajwang served as president of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) from 2022 to 2023 and chaired the Association of Insurance Trainers and Educators in Africa between 2014 and 2022.
Dr Kajwang continues to serve in several industry bodies, including as a council member of the Africa Re Foundation and a board member of the AIO Foundation. He is also on the executive board of the Organisation of Eastern and Southern Africa Insurers (OESAI), where he chairs the Human Resource Committee, and chairs the Technical Committee at Kenya's Policyholders Compensation Fund.
Dr Kajwang's academic background includes a PhD in Strategic Management, while his professional qualifications include Chartered Insurer (ACII) accreditation in the United Kingdom, Fellowships at the Insurance Institute of Uganda and the Insurance Institute of Kenya, an Associate qualification from the Institute of Risk Management, and Certified Pensions Trainer status. He has also authored nine books and more than 70 academic papers covering insurance and related professional fields.
Key points
- The College of Insurance in Kenya has provided training to over 5,500 insurance professionals and 8,500 pension trustees.
- Dr Ben Kajwang has received several awards for his contributions to insurance education and professional development, including the Global Change Makers Award and the National Hero award.
- Dr Kajwang has held leadership positions in several industry bodies, including the African Insurance Organisation and the Association of Insurance Trainers and Educators in Africa.
