Nigerian insurers attract stable rating despite rising operating costs, claims expense

Confidence in the underwriting capacity of insurance companies operating in Nigeria has started attracting a boost from credit ratings agencies, affirming clients of the insurance firm’s stability, in the wake of stringent regulatory stance and anticipated capital enhancements.

Although the industry continues to be plagued with pressure points such as rising claims expenses, high underwriting & operating costs driven by investments in growing its agency network to service the retail market as found by analysts at Agusto & Co.

A newly published 2019 Nigerian Insurance Industry report by pan-African credit rating agency in Nigeria, Agusto & Co. saw the industry assigned with a “Bb” rating, with short-term outlook on the industry being stable.

According to Agusto, the rating which is based on the size and strategic importance of the industry in Nigeria, and its satisfactory capitalisation ratios is expected to further strengthen on the back of anticipated changes in capital requirements for operators across different segments, even though a number of fringe players remain undercapitalised.

The ratings firm said, the insurance industry in Nigeria, though relatively small, with a Gross Premium Income as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at 0.4 percent, the industry’s economic importance is noteworthy.

“The assigned rating reflects heightened risks in Nigeria’s geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, weak gross domestic product (GDP) growth, and inflationary pressures. In addition, dwindling crude oil prices, and a contractionary monetary policy stance aimed at forestalling speculative activities on the Naira both impact the rating.

It however noted that “the performance of underwriters is expected to improve as political uncertainties subside and business operations pick up in the second half of the year. Buoyed by stronger regulatory support and anticipated recapitalisation requirements from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the Insurance underwriting capacity is expected to improve in the medium to long term.”

Agusto & Co highlighted the primary responsibility of insurers in supporting businesses and individuals recover from unexpected losses promptly, through claims payments, thereby promoting economic growth by mobilising domestic savings most of which are used to fund the budget deficit through investments in treasury bills.

Analysts at the ratings firm further noted that, there has been an influx of foreign direct investments (FDIs) over the last two years, which resulted in changes in the industry’s shareholding structure.

A large number of these investors are prominent international insurance companies seeking to take advantage of opportunities lurking in Africa, and indeed Nigeria.

Nigeria has a large underserved population, which presents enormous growth opportunities in the retail and corporate markets. In addition, increased activities in the oil & gas, construction and manufacturing sectors are bright spots for industry growth.

Investors remain attracted by low share prices of the few listed insurance companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), and NASD OTC Securities Exchange, which makes acquisition relatively cheaper.

Total market capitalisation of about 26 underwriters listed on both the NSE and the NASD OTC Securities Exchange as at December 2017, collectively amounted to circa N160 billion ($438.4 million at N365/$).

Also, its profitability lags behind the Industry’s banking counterpart, which recorded an estimated return on average equity (ROE) of 13.3 percent in 2018 (Insurance ROE: 9.8%).

Furthermore, the Industry’s ROE was significantly lower than the average yield on 365-day treasury bills of about 14 percent in the same year.