Sanlam rebrands to SanlamAllianz in Rwanda

Rwanda is amongst the first of the 27 countries to officially launch the SanlamAllianz brand  

Kigali, Rwanda: Sanlam and Allianz, the two insurance giants who formed Africa’s largest non-banking financial services company through a joint venture named SanlamAllianz in 2023, have launched their SanlamAllianz brand in Rwanda at an event hosted in Kigali today.  

SanlamAllianz Life Insurance Plc (“SanlamAllianz Life Insurance Rwanda”) and SanlamAllianz General Insurance Plc (“SanlamAllianz General Insurance Rwanda”) are among the first SanlamAllianz businesses to showcase the joint venture brand. The CEOs of the two businesses are Mr. Jean Chrysostome Hodari, Chief Executive Officer of SanlamAllianz Life Insurance “Rwanda” Plc, and Mr. Richard Akotègnon Hodehou, Chief Executive Officer of SanlamAllianz General Insurance “Rwanda” Plc.

This follows the regulatory approvals received recently, paving the way for these businesses to launch the new branding and trade officially as SanlamAllianz. 

SanlamAllianz’s ambition is to leverage its global and pan-African expertise and unlock growth in Africa’s high-potential economies, in line with its purpose to empower generations to be financially confident, secure, and prosperous. This will be achieved through supporting financial inclusion through innovative and diverse financial services that create shared value for all stakeholders. 

SanlamAllianz CEO, Mr. Heinie Werth, said: “Launching the SanlamAllianz brand in Rwanda marks a new milestone for us as well as the broader financial services market and our commitment to do business in Rwanda. It demonstrates our strategy to leverage our emerging markets expertise to create leading businesses in the economies where we choose to operate and supports our intention to enable access to financial services.” 

“The joint venture will also leverage the combined economies of scale of our shareholders, Sanlam and Allianz, as well as greater distribution opportunities, shared knowledge, and existing partnerships in telecommunications and bancassurance to benefit our customers,” Mr Werth added. 

The chairperson of the Board of Directors of SanlamAllianz Life Insurance “Rwanda” Plc, Dr. Gisanabagabo Sebuhuzu, said: “Our customers have always trusted us as their choice for life insurance. Launching the SanlamAllianz brand in Rwanda gives us more confidence and challenges us to continue serving with excellence.”

The chairperson of the Board of Directors of SanlamAllianz General Insurance “Rwanda” Plc Mr.Vianney Rurangirwa Shumbusho, said:  “Being the market leader in general insurance has always been a pleasure. The launch of the SanlamAllianz brand in Rwanda solidifies our position and commitment to continue serving our customers with confidence.”