COVER Magazine

Tony interviews Ayouba Seydou, OLEA's Director Group placement and Reinsurance, about Africa’s insurance market from 2025 into 2026. Ayouba says 2025 saw strong foreign investment across Africa, increased regulatory changes in reinsurance such as higher local retentions, controls on cessions leaving Africa, and local content rules, alongside many election cycles. He frames these shifts as opportunities for brokers to advise clients by leveraging on-the-ground proximity to regulators, educating both regulators and international partners, and helping clients treat new rules as competitive advantages. He highlights reinsurance’s importance given low local capacity and lender demand for rated security, noting Africa Re and Allianz Re as rated options. The discussion also covers professionalism through technical training, soft skills, and mentoring, and OLEA's “territories, technology, talent” approach and pan-African focus.

In this interview, Tony speaks with Nick Smit, a product development actuary at Bidvest Life, about the upcoming FPI convention and its theme 'Bring It Home.' They discuss the challenges in the advisor-client relationship, especially the skepticism towards life insurance and affordability issues. Nick elaborates on the complexities of insurance products and how Bidvest Life addresses these challenges through innovative product features like the commutation option and life income benefits. The conversation also highlights the significance of fast claims processing, the role of advisors in managing claims, and the importance of personal relationships in the financial planning industry.

In this interview, Tony from COVER speaks with Ellen Gower, the CFO of Fulcrum, about the critical importance of financial literacy for individuals and businesses. Ellen defines financial literacy as understanding how numbers work in various facets of life and emphasizes its significance in decision-making, budgeting, and investment. She calls for better financial education in South Africa's schools and discusses how financial literacy leads to better personal and business outcomes. They explore misconceptions about financial literacy, the benefits of challenging oneself to improve financial understanding, and how Fulcrum simplifies financial processes for the insurance industry. Ellen highlights Fulcrum's commitment to education, mentorship, and leveraging new technologies like AI to drive industry innovation and efficiency.

In this episode, Tony from Cover interviews Mike Adsetts, Global Chief Investment Officer at Momentum Investments, about the implementation and effects of the two-part system one year post-launch. Mike discusses the operational success, the behavior patterns of fund members, and the system's impact on lower to mid-income earners who are often most distressed financially. They also explore global comparisons, fund management strategies, and the potential long-term benefits and challenges of the two-part system within the context of economic growth and employment creation. Tune in for a deep dive into the intricacies of retirement fund management and policy impacts.

When we talk about transformation in insurance, the conversation almost always starts with platforms, data pipelines, AI tools and automation.

Join Tony from Cover as he interviews Thabo Twalo, Chief Underwriting Officer for Sanlam Broker Solutions, about the intricacies of risk management in the commercial underwriting process. Thabo discusses the four primary aspects of risk management: risk selection, risk sharing, risk management expectations, and risk capacity allocation. He delves into the implementation of these strategies, focusing on surveys, housekeeping, and technological requirements like tracking devices. Thabo also emphasizes the importance of broker training and client participation in managing risks effectively and shares insights on industry skill shortages and the evolving role of brokers in the insurance market.

In this insightful interview, Tony from Cover speaks with Riaan van Reenen, CEO of Discovery Life, about the crucial role of life expectancy in life insurance. They discuss global life expectancy trends, the impact of lifestyle choices on health and longevity, and how Discovery Life's Vitality program incentivizes healthy living. The discussion extends to the benefits for policyholders, the insurance company, and society, emphasizing the importance of personalized health journeys powered by AI. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of health, insurance, and innovation.

Join Tony from Cover as he interviews Herman Scheepers, CEO of Renasa Insurance, about the critical challenges leaders face in a rapidly changing world. Amidst economic uncertainties and technological advancements, Herman discusses the importance of staying relevant, integrating new technologies, and addressing cybersecurity threats. He delves into strategies for motivating staff, recognizing their contributions, and upskilling to keep pace with innovation. Learn how Renasa benefits from being part of the TIH group, leveraging broader talent pools and sharing ideas to navigate the evolving insurance landscape effectively.