BimaLab is an accelerator that attracts key players and disruptors to connect, create and scale innovative solutions to build resilience and create the future of insurance in Africa.
The AIR Conference 2024, hosted by FSD Africa's BimaLab Accelerator in collaboration with the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) Uganda, will address the critical challenges posed by climate change and economic disruptions across Africa. This conference aims to unite thought leaders, policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, researchers, and practitioners to explore innovative strategies for building resilience in African economies.
26th June, 2024
The conference will feature:
BimaLab Accelerator will collaborate with government agencies, international development partners, academic institutions, NGOs, and corporate partners to ensure the success and impact of the AIR Conference 2024.
Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Chief Guest
Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Matia Kasaija is the current Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for Uganda. Before his appointment, he served as the State Minister for Finance (Planning) in the Cabinet of Uganda for four years. Prior to that, he served as the State Minister for Internal Affairs, from 2006 until 2011. He is also the elected Member of Parliament for “Buyanja County”, Kibaale District.
CEO & Commissioner of Insurance, IRA Uganda
Keynote Speaker
CEO & Commissioner of Insurance, IRA Uganda
Alhaj Kaddunabbi Ibrahim Lubega is a Fellow and Certified Professional of the Australian and NewZealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) with over 20 years hands-on experience in finance operations, regulation and supervision. He has passion for good governance, policy making, standard setting and capacity building. Currently, he is theChief Executive Officer of the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRA) and Chairman of the East African Insurance Supervisors Association (EAISA). Alhaj Kaddunabbi is also the Immediate Past President of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO), 2017/18. He sits on several boards of both private and public entities in keeping with his calling to set up governance systems that outlive him.
British High Commissioner, Uganda
Keynote Speaker
British High Commissioner, Uganda
Kate Airey was appointed as the British High Commissioner to Uganda at the end of 2019, and began work in November 2020. She began her career working at Oxfam in September 1999 and transferred to Shell International a year later, working as a Senior Consultant in Africa and Europe. Airey joined the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in 2005, and had roles in London including Africa Energy Adviser, Lead on Strategy, and Lead on Prosperity. She held postings overseas in Abuja, Nigeria between 2007 and 2010 and was based in Freetown, Sierra Leone between 2014 and 2015, leading the response to the Ebola crisis both in Freetown as Deputy Head of the UK response and in London as Head of the FCDO Ebola Task Force, coordinating the UK-end of the Foreign Policy response. For her work, she received an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in 2016. She moved onto Namibia as the Head of the Nigeria Whitehall Unit, before becoming British High Commissioner to Namibia in Windhoek in January 2018 to 2021.
CEO, FSD Africa
Keynote Speaker
CEO, FSD Africa.
Mark is the CEO of FSD Africa. Mark’s early career (1989-2003) was in investment banking in the City of London where he advised growth companies on M&A and capital raising. He has now been involved in financial sector development in Africa for well over a decade.
From 2004-2009 he was CEO of FinMark Trust, based in Johannesburg. He then moved back to London where he became an independent consultant specialising in financial sector development in developing countries, mainly in Africa. He joined CDC, the UK’s development finance institution, as Director of Investment Innovation from 2011-2012 and moved to Nairobi to set up FSD Africa up in December 2012.
Mark has written papers and articles on financial sector development and was commissioning editor for a 2010 book of case studies on financial innovation in Africa – Real Money, New Frontiers. He has an MA in modern languages from Cambridge University.
Director, Swiss Re Foundation
Keynote Speaker
Director, Swiss Re Foundation.
Stefan has a master’s degree in geography from the University of Zurich. From 2001 to 2005 and from 2008 to 2015, he worked as a corporate social responsibility consultant at BHP-Brugger and Partners, in 2012 becoming both an executive committee member and company partner.
From 2005 to 2008, Stefan served as a project manager and an executive committee member at a foundation in Quito, Ecuador, to help a local social entrepreneur launch a recycling business.
As a consultant, Stefan developed tailor-made corporate social responsibility strategies for businesses and corporate foundations, taking account of the specific value chain of each client. He also designed impact management systems in his focus area of strategic corporate philanthropy. Stefan joined the Swiss Re Foundation in 2016 as Deputy Head and Senior Manager Operations and Portfolio.
Director, Risk and Resilience, FSD Africa
Speaker
Director, Risk and Resilience, FSD Africa.
A qualified Actuary by training, Kelvin brings to this role over 20 years’ experience in inclusive insurance and in leading and growing financial services organisations in complex environments. He is a financial services professional and entrepreneur with a passion for accelerating financial and health inclusion. Prior to joining FSD Africa, Kelvin started several companies in East Africa and Asia with a focus on addressing the needs of emerging consumers through digital financial solutions.
As Director of Risk, Kelvin is responsible for driving market innovation in Africa in risk management and transfer.
Kelvin is a South African but has spent the last 7 years living in Tanzania and Kenya. He is married with 3 children and loves training for and competing in triathlons.
Gender Lead, FSD Network
Speaker
Gender Lead, FSD Network
Sophie leads the FSD Network’s Collaborative Gender Programme, which works with FSDs to mainstream gender into their operations and support their capacity to deliver systemic gender impacts. She has over fifteen years’ experience in inclusive finance and gender in sub Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Prior to joining FSD Africa, Sophie worked on housing microfinance, gender and inclusive finance with a number of non-profit organisations. She holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wales.
Principal, Innovation for Resilience, FSD Africa.
Speaker
Principal, Innovation for Resilience, FSD Africa
Elias has over 10 years of experience in developing policies and regulations in the financial sector. He leads the development and implementation of programmes that work to improve the enabling environment for risk markets in Africa to drive systemic change in the market for insurance and other risk management instruments at FSD Africa.
Previously, Elias worked as an Actuary at the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) of Kenya where he was instrumental in the development and implementation of risk-based regulations and automation of supervisory processes and tools in the insurance sector. He also supported market innovation, designing, and testing innovative mechanisms of risk management through the formulation of the Regulatory Sandbox (BimaBox) and InsurTech Accelerator Platform (BimaLab)
Elias worked on various international technical assistance projects for the World Bank, IMF and GIZ assisting over 15 regulatory bodies in the insurance, pensions and capital markets sector in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean to strengthen their regulatory and supervisory frameworks.
Elias holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Actuarial Management from Cass Business School, United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Actuarial Science, with IT from Maseno University. He is an Associate Actuary of The Actuarial Society of Kenya (TASK) and Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA), United Kingdom.
Director Strategy and Market Development, IRA Uganda
Speaker
Director Strategy and Market Development, IRA Uganda
Protazio Sande is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of UK and a Chartered member of the Insurance Training College of Uganda. He holds a Master’s degree in Economic Planning and Policy and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, both from Makerere University. He is a seasoned Academician and development Researcher currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Leadership and Institutional Management. Protazio works with Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda as the Director Planning, Research and Market Development and is a member of the Top Management Committee of the Authority. Prior to his current assignment, Protazio was a Lecturer of Economics at Kyambogo University. He has taught and supervised research at other Universities including Makerere University, and Uganda Martyrs University Protazio has served on various Committees of the Financial Sector from which he has garnered diverse proficiency in the operations of, and linkages amongst, the various sector players. He successfully chaired the Steering Committee of the 2017 African Insurance Organisation international Conference, and the 2018 FINSCOPE IV Survey, among others Currently, Protazio is a co-chair of the Technical Committee of the Financial Inclusion Strategy. He sits on the Board of KIND Initiative for Development, a local NGO operating in the Rwenzori Region, Innovative Vision Uganda, St. Paul Boarding Primary School Kitagobwa, DISA investments Ltd, and more recently, the Insurance Training College
Executive Director, Nuapay SAS
Speaker
Executive Director, Nuapay SAS
I'm Tang LOAEC, an international financial services builder, innovator, and accelerator. What I do : - New business models launch / market entries; - Payment programs roll-outs from Zero to multi Bio US$ value; - Corporate Investment Banking and credit portfolio restructuring; - CEO/COO/Strategic Advisor roles; - Experienced managing teams up to several hundred. Energize commercial or entire organizations, remote or on-site. My proven track record in steering transformative growth is characterized as follows: Innovation at the Core: I've been at the forefront of financial innovation, specializing in crafting and executing new business models, launching markets, and reshaping industries across Europe and Asia. Driving Financial Transformations: As General Manager at Nuapay within the EML Payments Group, I orchestrated the launch of an Innovative French Digital Payment Institution, securing licensing and extensions with the French financial regulator. The result: 1.5 billion euros in payment volume and operational break-even in 1rst year. Fintech and Insurtech Leadership: As President of P2P Protect Europe, I spearhead the building of Insurtechs and Neobanks, ensuring innovative digital insurance or new credit model launches. My startup-as-a-service initiatives span banking, insurance, neobanks, fintech, insurtech, paytech, and credit-tech. International Advisory Roles: Member of the Advisory Board at Deepika.ai, a trusted AI scientific startup builder. My strategic consultancies at MAIF, MyMoney Bank, and Ditto Bank highlight my expertise in advising on international expansion and shaping neobank strategies. Global Business Development and Leadership: As the Founding Managing Director for China of Oney Bank and its Asian Region Development Director, I've built multi-billion RMB payments and credit platforms, defined entry strategies, and executed growth strategies across Asia. Mentorship and Entrepreneurial Ventures: Mentor, advisor, and alumni of startups and accelerators. My journey includes founding and leading P2P Protect/TongJuBao, a collaborative insurtech model, deployed in China and HK, and mentoring startups across the African continent. Also: I write books and literary critics, I give masterclasses and conferences. I'm interested in book innovation and distribution, digital or traditional. Looking Ahead: Passionate about contributing to the convergence of finance and technology and shaping the industry's future. Let's redefine the landscape of finance and AI. Also compassionate and seeking to build social or societal innovations.
Managing Principal, redKola
Speaker
Managing Principal, redKola
I'm a product and media guy with a wealth of experience in corporate and entrepreneurial settings—working with startups, scale-ups, and established companies to design, build, and launch impactful products and services. My expertise lies in customer-centric product discovery and delivery, communications products, and leading digital transformation projects, focusing on Africa and the US. As Managing Partner at theZVG, I work with a team of communications and media experts to create notable comms products and experiences. I was a producer of Unstoppable Africa in 2022 and 2023, a Global Africa Business Initiative event, and led the product development for covidHQafrica.com in collaboration with the MasterCard Foundation. theZVG has partnered with organizations like WHO, Africa CDC, Pfizer, Equity Group Foundation, GE Africa, The Aga Khan Development Network, Saudi MiSK Foundation, African Development Bank, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa. I serve as the Product Head Coach for the Center for a Re-Imagined Africa (CRA), a program by the African Leadership Group, teaching public sector leaders to apply product management principles for large-scale citizen services. I also teach product management and digital transformation at UC Berkeley, General Assembly, and through my consultancy, redKola digital labs. My passion extends to product innovation, people, culture, and creativity, actively engaging in speaking, writing, and mentoring. I co-founded ventures in communications, media, the creative economy, and education, and am a board member of Freeing Returns, a company specializing in retail loss prevention to optimize profits.
Founder & CEO, Dotsavvy
Speaker
Founder & CEO, Dotsavvy
An entrepreneurial digital media & and marketing professional with over 20 years of working experience in some of Africa's most successful Internet companies including Opera, Perform Group (the company behind Goal.com), InMobi, Naspers (for Dealfish, formerly OLX Kenya and now known as Jiji Kenya), Dotsavvy, 3mice Interactive Media, Africa Online and Kenyaweb (formerly Form-Net Online). Goals include participation in highly successful entrepreneurial and Pan-African digital and mobile marketing business ventures over the next 5 years. Specialties: Key competencies in sales, marketing, account management, project management, finance administration, strategic planning, digital marketing, digital media, consulting, and general management.
Founder and CEO, Quest Digital Finance (Akellobanker)
Speaker
Founder and CEO, Quest Digital Finance (Akellobanker)
Jean is the Founder and CEO of Quest Digital Finance (Akellobanker), a leading Fintech company in Uganda operating in the Agtech and Fintech spaces. With over 20 years of experience in the finance and technology industries, Jean has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the company. As a BimaLab Fellow, Jean has developed and integrated cutting-edge loan insurance products, life insurance, and burial savings schemes for SACCOS and VSLAs. His expertise encompasses digital infrastructure, financial inclusion, automation, digital payments, and credit. With a proven track record of creating successful fintech and agtech products, Jean is dedicated to driving positive change and enhancing the resilience of millions of low-income earners. Jean is passionate about contributing to industry advancement through thought leadership and innovation. As a panelist, He shares valuable insights and inspires audiences to embrace the potential of fintech and agtech in shaping the future of insurance.
Principal Manager, Licensing & Regulations
Speaker
Principal Manager, Licensing & Regulations
Kenneth Ossi Aroh is a seasoned professional with over 18 years of extensive experience in both the Banking and Insurance sectors. With a solid foundation in finance and risk management, Kenneth has dedicated the past 13 years of his career to serving with distinction at the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Nigeria.
Kenneth has played pivotal roles across various departments within the regulatory authority, showcasing his versatility and depth of expertise. Starting from the Special Risks Unit, he demonstrated exceptional acumen in analyzing complex insurance risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
Transitioning to Licensing and Regulation, Kenneth assumed a leadership role where he oversaw the approval process for insurance products, Licensing of Insurance Companies, Web Aggregator, E-commerce channels and other smart channels to aid insurance distribution. His keen understanding of market dynamics and regulatory requirements has enabled him to ensure the integrity and compliance of insurance offerings, thus safeguarding the interests of both insurers and policyholders.
Kenneth has been at the forefront of driving innovation within the insurance industry. His visionary approach to exploring innovative channels of distribution has helped expand access to insurance products, particularly among underserved populations. This drive resulted to voting him as the Vice-Chairman, ‘Channels Working Group’ of the Financial Inclusion Secretariat domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria. He is currently facilitating the adoption of new distribution models that may enhance market penetration and promote financial inclusion. Kenneth's dedication to advancing the insurance landscape in Nigeria is underscored by his commitment to continuous learning and professional development. His collaborative leadership style, coupled with a passion for driving positive change, has earned him widespread respect among industry peers and stakeholders.
As a forward-thinking leader within the Insurance Regulator of Nigeria, Kenneth Ossi Aroh continues to leverage his wealth of experience and expertise to shape the future of the insurance industry, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.
Senior Specialist, Gender, Development Impact, FSD Africa
Speaker
Senior Specialist, Gender, Development Impact, FSD Africa
Banu is a known change driver in the international development and humanitarian sector in Kenya, Africa and beyond. She is a diversity and inclusion champion, gender and safeguarding advocate and livelihoods advisor with a focus on women's and girl's economic empowerment space. Banu has spent over 25 years refining her knowledge and understanding of human rights, gender and social inclusion working at Plan International, UN Women for 14 years spearheading the women's economic empowerment programme in Kenya. She has held several positions with regional leadership capacity at several INGOs, touching on Water, Public Health, Climate Change, HIV & AIDS and Adolescent Livelihoods, allowing her to gain the breadth and depth of a strategic and visionary programmes expert. She has been the pioneer and force behind many Kenyan initiatives that have improved the lives of women through access to finance, training, markets, and personal development. Additionally, she has been a cornerstone individual connecting women and youth entrepreneurs to premium procurement markets in both the public and private sector. Through her passion for women’s and girl's financial independence, Banu founded Kipekee, a financial literacy mentoring initiative for adolescent girls from disadvantaged communities in Kenya. She is the author of a book on women's financial freedom - "Get, Set, Go - Activate your Mind, Manage & Grow your Money."
Director of Programs, FSD Uganda
Panelist
Director of Programs, FSD Uganda
Joseph Sanjula Lutwama is the Director of Programs at FSD Uganda. He is a Financial Markets and Business Strategy Expert with a strong background in economics and research. Prior to joining FSD Uganda, Joseph served as the Director of Research and Market Development at the Uganda Capital Markets Authority. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts in Economic Policy and Planning from Makerere University. He has over 20 years of experience managing and implementing interventions in economic policy development, business development, financial sector development, financial sector regulation and inclusive finance.
CEO, ClinicPesa
Speaker
CEO, ClinicPesa
Eng. Onyancha Chrispinus is a multifaceted entrepreneur, technology expert, and software engineer who has made a significant impact in East Africa's healthcare and technology sectors. As the CEO of clinicPesa, he has revolutionized healthcare financing, providing access to millions of uninsured citizens. He also co-founded creativeDNA Uganda, an innovative IT company. Previously, he served as a Google expert and evangelist in Uganda, promoting technological advancements. With a proven track record of delivering business results and driving change, Onyancha is a strategic thinker and risk-taker who boldly tackles challenges, making him a true pioneer in his field.
Founder, Ensibuuko
Speaker
Founder, Ensibuuko
Otim is a techpreneur and founder of Ugandan leading Fintech, Ensibuuko. Ensibuuko operates a proprietary microfinance platform specially developed for Africa’s credit unions (SACCOs) & Savings Groups and has an ambitious target to increase financial inclusion by scaling rural microfinance infrastructure and digital financial services to millions of customers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
BimaLab is an accelerator that attracts key players and disruptors to connect, create and scale innovative solutions to build resilience and create the future of insurance in Africa.
Join us in Kampala, Uganda, from June 24th to 26th, 2024, to be part of this transformative event. Together, we can harness innovation for sustainable resilience across Africa.