The General States of Insurance for All ended on July 8, 2026 in the economic capital of Benin with a historic decision: the adoption of a Pan-African Pact for inclusive insurance, accompanied by 23 resolutions and a “Cotonou Appeal”. Three days of intense reflection that aim to transform insurance into a real lever for development and protection of the populations of the continent.
Facing the press, Mamadou Koné, President of the Federation of African National Insurance Companies (FANAF), highlighted the unprecedented approach that preceded the adoption of the pact. “We conducted a critical exercise by giving voice to users,” he explained, emphasizing that trust – especially through the quick payment of claims – is the raw material of insurance and the main driver of activity recovery.
The pact revolves around four priority segments: life insurance for the most deprived populations, health microinsurance, SMEs, and agricultural insurance. Proposals have been made to states, tax administrations, and regulators to establish the necessary prerequisites for the deployment of these products to populations currently excluded.
Among the key resolutions are those related to taxation, gender – with a commitment to work with women rather than for them – and regulation proportionate to the risks of inclusive insurance. FANAF also establishes an annual day dedicated to inclusive insurance and preliminary agreements have been reached with donors to label their funding.
For Hervé Tchiakpè, President of the Association of Insurance Companies of Benin (ASA Benin), the challenge is now operational: “if we succeed in implementing these 23 resolutions, we would have taken a giant step forward.”
