The Africa Insurance Women Association (AIWA) is a pioneering organisation dedicated to empowering, advocating for, and advancing the role of women in Africa’s insurance sector. AIWA provides an inclusive, dynamic platform for women professionals, addressing the challenges they face, fostering leadership, and promoting diversity and gender equity across the continent.
AIWA traces its roots to the first international exchange programme convened by PILA Nigeria in The Gambia in May 2013, which grew into a bi-annual educational programme across Ghana (2015), South Africa (2017), Kenya (2019), and virtually in 2021. That movement spurred the formation of national women-in-insurance associations across Africa.
In the final quarter of 2022, founding president Lady Margaret Nkechi Moore, then President of PILA Nigeria, called on the leaders of women’s insurance associations across the continent to advance a pan-African body. This led to a platform of 13 countries, and to the renaming of the organisation from the Association of Professional Insurance Ladies in Africa (PILA Africa) to the Africa Insurance Women Association.
AIWA was formally inaugurated on 31 May 2023, at the African Insurance Organisation conference and General Assembly in Algiers. Today the association is led by President Catherine Wahome (Kenya).
Vision
AIWA envisions a future where women in insurance are recognized as key drivers of innovation, growth, and sustainability within the industry. By uniting women professionals across the continent, AIWA seeks to elevate the role of women in decision-making positions, enabling them to make meaningful contributions to the progress of Africa’s insurance sector.
Mission
Empower
Equip women with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive in leadership roles.
Network
Foster strong connections among women professionals across the African continent, encouraging mentorship and shared learning.
Innovate
Advocate for the integration of cutting-edge solutions, such as technology and digital transformation, to drive the evolution of the insurance sector.
Inspire
Promote gender diversity and inclusive policies within the industry to inspire future generations of female leaders.
Our values
Five values guide how the association works: how members represent one another, how the leadership makes decisions, and how AIWA engages with the wider insurance industry across Africa.
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Excellence
- Collaboration
- Resilience
Leadership
The association is led by an executive committee drawn from across the continent.