East Africa insurance pulse

Uganda’s Insurance Regulatory Authority reported gross written premiums of UGX 1.06 trillion for the six months to June 30, 2025, up 8.78% year‑on‑year, with the number of insured individuals rising from 405,837 to 506,119 over the same period. (ira.go.ug) Total claims paid in the same half‑year reached UGX 442.73 billion, representing roughly 43.6% of premiums collected, a ratio the regulator flagged as a key test of whether risk transfer is actually occurring. (ira.go.ug) Life business grew to UGX 402.71 billion (up 12.55%) while non‑life premiums were UGX 572.6 billion in H1 2025, and microinsurance recorded 242.7% growth to UGX 2.1 billion from a very small base. (ira.go.ug) Easy Ride Auto Rescue’s founder Isaac Kiwanda positions the company as a B2B claims‑support insurtech offering first‑aid, ambulance, tow and police‑interaction services to insurers and policyholders, and says the platform takes carriers “through the whole claims process.” (ceo.co.ug) Easy Ride’s public materials list a 20‑minute average response time for roadside assistance and the startup disclosed a strategic MoU with Ventureport aimed at direct investment and scaling operations. (easyride-africa.com) The Insurance Regulatory Authority’s Innovation Awards gala was held at Kampala Serena Hotel on March 14, 2025, where IRA publicly recognised incumbents including Old Mutual Life and Jubilee Health for innovation and urged broader digitisation across motor and marine lines. (ira.go.ug) Kenya Re’s interim accounts show a volatile 2025 cycle: half‑year net profit rose about 50% to KSh 1.58 billion driven by higher investment income and sharply lower FX losses, while Kenya Re’s full‑year disclosures also record a retreat in net profit (around KSh 4.44 billion reported by local press) and the board maintained a KSh 839.94 million dividend. (kenyare.co.ke) The reinsurer reported insurance revenue falling nearly 15% in H1 2025 to about KSh 6.3 billion with an insurance service result of roughly KSh 303 million, even as its reported full‑year service profit figures showed a rebound to about KSh 2.95 billion in other line‑item reporting—illustrating underwriting strain offset in part by investment returns. (businessinsurance.com) Market commentary and Easy Ride hiring notices state Ugandan claims workflows still commonly take 30–90 days to settle and that fraud and inflated repair costs are recurring operational issues insurers cite when outsourcing roadside‑to‑claims services. (africareers.net)