Continental Re Strengthens African Operations with Key Leadership Appointments
Continental Reinsurance, a leading reinsurance provider in Africa, has announced a wave of executive appointments designed to reinforce its operational foundation and align leadership with the firm’s long-term strategic goals. These changes arrive at a pivotal moment, as the company continues consolidating its pan-African footprint and enhancing the quality of services offered across the continent.
Continental Re Appoints Group CEO Lawrence Nazare, Based in Botswana
Following the successful completion of his term as Managing Director and CEO of Continental Reinsurance Plc, Nigeria, Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare has assumed the role of Group Chief Executive Officer of Continental Reinsurance Holdings. His new appointment became effective in December 2024. Mr. Nazare will now operate from the company’s regional hub in Botswana, where he will oversee Continental Re’s group strategy and performance across its diverse African markets.
With more than 20 years of experience in insurance and reinsurance, Mr. Nazare brings strong leadership, deep industry knowledge, and a pan-African vision. His elevation to Group CEO marks a new chapter in the company’s growth, where innovation, consistency, and market integration will be central pillars.
Continental Re Reinforces Group Governance with Board Appointments
In support of Mr. Nazare’s transition, Continental Reinsurance has also welcomed two senior professionals to its group board in Botswana:
Paul Kokoricha has been appointed Chairman of the Board
Steve Iwenjora joins as a Non-Executive Director
Both Kokoricha and Iwenjora are seasoned experts in corporate governance, finance, and strategy. Their appointments reflect the group’s commitment to strengthening oversight and aligning its operations with globally recognized standards of transparency, risk management, and accountability.
Continental Re Names Fatai Kayode Lawal as New CEO in Nigeria
As part of its broader leadership restructuring, Fatai Kayode Lawal has been named the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Continental Reinsurance Plc, Nigeria, effective April 2025. He succeeds Mr. Nazare and will be responsible for steering operations in the firm’s critical English-speaking West African market.
Mr. Lawal is an accomplished executive with a distinguished track record in Nigeria’s insurance industry. His appointment is a strategic move to maintain the firm’s strong market position and drive continued growth across the region. His understanding of local market dynamics is expected to contribute significantly to the performance of Continental Reinsurance’s Nigerian operations.
Continental Re Expands Board Leadership in Nigeria
To further strengthen its corporate governance structure, Continental Re Plc, Nigeria, has also appointed three new non-executive directors to its board:
Segun Adebanji, appointed as Chairman of the Board and Non-Executive Director
Funmilayo Omokhodion, appointed as Non-Executive Director
Eno Atoyebi, appointed as Non-Executive Director
These additions bring a wealth of experience in corporate leadership, finance, and risk management to the board. The appointments underscore the group’s commitment to board diversity, strategic oversight, and maintaining governance practices that support organizational resilience.
Continental Re’s Leadership Realignment Supports Sustainable Growth
The latest appointments at group are not isolated decisions but part of a broader leadership transformation strategy. With operations spanning Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Africa, the company is proactively evolving to meet the shifting demands of the continent’s reinsurance landscape.
By investing in experienced leadership, talent development, and innovation, the group is positioning itself to excel in underwriting, claims management, and digital service delivery. These transitions aim to create a nimble and scalable organizational structure capable of navigating various regulatory and economic environments across Africa.
About Continental Re – A Trusted Pan-African Reinsurance Partner
Founded in 1985, Continental Reinsurance is one of the most respected names in Africa’s reinsurance sector. The company offers both facultative and treaty reinsurance for life and non-life business lines. With a presence in over 50 African countries and offices in Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, and South Africa, the firm has positioned itself as a trusted pan-African reinsurer with deep local insights and continental reach.
Continental Re Looks Ahead with Confidence and Clarity
These strategic leadership changes reaffirm the group’s dedication to delivering exceptional service, building enduring partnerships, and driving innovation in Africa’s dynamic reinsurance industry. The new leadership team is expected to lead the company into its next growth phase, focusing on customer-centric solutions, enhanced regional penetration, and agile responses to market needs.
As the company looks to the future, its focus remains on strengthening its position as a leading reinsurer in Africa, guided by strong leadership, sound governance, and a vision that aligns with the continent’s evolving risk landscape.
