West African insurance industry mobilises around climate resilience at 2025 WAICA conference
No fewer than 250 delegates, comprising insurance technocrats, financial experts, and both foreign and local professionals from across the African continent, have confirmed their attendance at the 2025 West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Education Conference. Scheduled to take place from 12 to 15 October 2025, the conference will be held at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Organised by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), the event promises to be a pivotal gathering for the West African insurance industry, focusing on the theme "The West African Insurer in the Face of Climate Change."
This conference is expected to bring together insurance practitioners, regulators, policymakers, and thought leaders from WAICA member countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia. The participation of these nations ensures the event will serve as a regional platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and fostering collaboration on one of the most pressing challenges faced by the industry today—climate change.
The urgency of the topic stems from Africa’s unique vulnerabilities to climate-related disruptions. The continent grapples with extreme weather events such as flooding, prolonged drought, and agricultural disturbances. These events not only threaten local economies and communities but also significantly impact insurance operations by increasing claim volumes and risk exposures. As such, the conference will focus on how insurers can adapt underwriting, risk management, and product design to meet these challenges head-on.
Furthermore, the 2025 conference agenda includes discussions on climate-resilient insurance models, regulatory frameworks, innovations in digital claims processing, and green underwriting practices. There will also be emphasis on strengthening regional cooperation, public-private partnerships, and the development of sustainable insurance solutions that enhance climate resilience across West Africa. According to organisers, this collaborative approach is essential for enabling African insurers to compete globally and to ensure that the industry remains robust amidst evolving environmental risks.
The significance of the event extends beyond business and regulatory concerns, highlighting the critical role insurers play in safeguarding communities and economies from climate-related disasters. Top insurance executives, regulators, government officials, and development partners from across the sub-region are expected to participate, contributing their expertise and perspectives on how the insurance sector can continue evolving to meet contemporary challenges.
Prominent speakers confirmed for the conference include Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), who will deliver the keynote address. His presentation is anticipated to examine strategic adaptations in underwriting and risk evaluation that insurers must adopt given the increasing unpredictability of climate risks.
The Nigerian insurance industry’s leadership in hosting this event underscores its commitment to driving regional progress in insurance education and practice. By convening a multidisciplinary and international group of experts, the WAICA conference aims to energise a concerted response to climate change, foster innovative thinking, and ultimately contribute to more sustainable and resilient insurance markets in West Africa.
