Nigeria’s insurance industry is preparing to welcome over 250 foreign and local delegates to Lagos for the 2025 West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) conference, a regional gathering expected to address the growing impact of climate change on the insurance sector and map out strategies for strengthening insurance education and practice.
The conference, organised by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), will take place from Sunday, October 12 to Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
With the theme “The West African Insurer in the Face of Climate Change,” this year’s edition will convene insurance professionals, regulators, policymakers and thought leaders from across the West African sub-region.
Member countries of WAICA include Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia will be fully represented, making the four-day event a strategic platform for regional collaboration, networking and exchange of ideas on climate-related risks and resilience.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the event, Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, chairperson of the local organising committee and CEO of Rex Insurance Limited, stressed the urgency of collective action. She noted that flooding, agricultural disruptions and other climate-related risks have inflicted severe losses across West Africa, threatening livelihoods and economic stability.
“Climate risks are impacting on economies in the sub-region. The risks are obvious, from floods to droughts, and people need to know how the insurance sector is positioning itself to provide cover for them,” Nwachukwu said, adding that “The conference will provide a strategic platform for deliberations on the impact of climate change on the insurance industry, as well as actionable strategies to safeguard the future of insurance education and practice.”
She added that the challenges for insurers translate into rising claims, higher exposures and the urgent need for innovative products and stronger risk management frameworks. “It is particularly important for African insurers to engage in robust discussions on climate change,because the continent faces unique vulnerabilities. By doing so, insurers not only strengthen their collective preparedness but also position themselves competitively with global counterparts in shaping sustainable practices and climate resilience solutions,” she explained.
The organisers confirmed that Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of state for finance, will deliver the keynote address, while Olusegun Omosehin, commissioner for insurance, will serve as chief host.
The conference will also feature contributions from a distinguished lineup of leaders and technical experts, including Abiba Zakaria, acting commissioner of insurance, Ghana; Wole Oshin, group managing director of Custodian Investment Plc; Bockarie Kaloko, deputy minister of finance, Sierra Leone; Tola Adegbayi, managing director/CEO of Mutual Specialist; and Sunday Thomas, former commissioner for insurance, Nigeria.
According to the NIA, discussions will centre not only on the insurance industry’s response to climate-induced risks but also on the future of insurance education and professional development in the sub-region.
With climate change intensifying the scale and frequency of disasters across West Africa, the conference is expected to push for stronger regional cooperation, innovative product design, and deeper awareness of the role of insurance in protecting lives and businesses.
