The Speakers

Mr. Akapelwa Imwiko, Acting Permanent Secretary - Economic Management & Finance, Ministry of Finance, The Republic of Zambia

Fady Khawam is a distinguished insurance and reinsurance executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across the Middle East and Africa. He currently serves as General Manager — Africa and Chief Distribution Officer —Middle East & Africa at Lockton, where he leads regional growth, distribution strategy and reinsurance development across some of the world’s most diverse and rapidly evolving insurance markets.

In his current role, Fady is responsible for expanding Lockton’s presence across Africa and the Middle East, strengthening strategic partnerships, and developing sophisticated risk-transfer solutions for insurers, reinsurers, and major corporate clients. His leadership combines a clear commercial vision with deep technical expertise in facultative and treaty reinsurance, market development, client strategy, and cross-border business expansion.

Throughout his career, Fady has held senior leadership positions within prominent international insurance organizations, including American International Group (AIG). He has played an important role in developing insurance and reinsurance activities across Francophone and Arab Africa, successfully navigating complex regulatory, commercial, and cultural environments. Based in Morocco, he has established a strong regional network and a proven record of building sustainable businesses, developed high-performing teams and creating long-term value for clients and partners.

Fady holds a master’s degree in insurance sciences and a master’s degree in business management from Saint Joseph University of Beirut. His academic background, combined with extensive market experience, provides him with a strong foundation in strategic management, insurance economics, and sophisticated risk solutions.

He is widely recognized for his expertise in reinsurance strategy, distribution, African market development, executive leadership, and multi-country client relationship management. His leadership philosophy is grounded in integrity, collaboration, and execution, with a strong commitment to combining international standards and global capabilities with deep local-market insight.

Through his strategic vision and relationship-driven approach, Fady continues to contribute to the development of the insurance and reinsurance industry across the Middle East and Africa, building trusted partnerships and advancing solutions that support resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth.

An Ivorian national and trained mathematician who studied in France and Hong Kong, Déborah Gnagne began her career in Luxembourg, spending five years with actuarial firms before joining the SUNU Group in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. After more than a decade in the insurance sector—serving as a SUNU Group actuary, Technical Director, and later Business Development Director — she shifted her focus to insurance brokerage, deliberately prioritizing advisory services over mere sales volume. In 2019, she relocated to Cotonou, Benin. For four years, she simultaneously managed the ASK Gras Savoye subsidiaries in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, acting as the WTW correspondent in these countries.

Convinced that the African brokerage sector has a vital role to play in the face of shifting multinational strategies, she left ASK Gras Savoye to found Dayo, an insurance brokerage group, launching its first subsidiaries in Benin and Guinea. Less than a year later, she acquired a brokerage firm in Burkina Faso, which became Dayo Burkina SA.

Much like the banking, industrial, and other sector groups that are the pride of the African continent, the Dayo Group aims to become Africa’s leading insurance brokerage. Its mission is to create value for businesses and individuals through risk management and optimization, ensuring the best possible placement of insurance programs in terms of both pricing and coverage.

Alongside her professional responsibilities, she is deeply involved in organizational activities that align perfectly with her vision.

Déborah Gnagne serves on the executive boards of both the Inter-African Federation of Insurance Brokers (FIAC) and the Council of Private Investors in Benin (CIPB). She participates in several women's mentorship programs organized by institutions such as UNICEF, MTN, and Women in Logistics Africa.

Déborah was selected:

• for the Choiseul Africa 2023 & 2024 rankings (the Top 200 Africans aged 40 and under poised to play a key role in the continent's future).

• as one of the 20 leading women in African finance by the pan-African magazine *Financial Afrik* in March 2025.

• for the Visionary Leadership Award presented by Women in Logistics Africa.

• as one of the "100 Transforming Africa" ​​(Rising Forces category) by the pan-African magazine *Financial Afrik* in December 2025.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), MANZI RE 

De formation Ingénieur des travaux Statistiques, diplômé de l’ENSEA (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Statistiques et d’Economie Appliquée) d’Abidjan en 1994 puis DESS en Assurance, diplômé de l’IIA de Yaoundé en 1996,

Je démarre ma carrière comme Administrateur des services financiers, contrôleur des assurances à la Direction Générale du Trésor et de la Comptabilité Publique, Direction des Assurances et de la Bourse de Côte d‘Ivoire en 1997.

En 2006, avec le grade de Chef de Brigade de contrôle des assurances, je suis admis au Secrétariat Général de la CIMA comme Commissaire contrôleur des assurances.

En 2014, avec le grade de commissaire contrôleur en chef, je rentre au Groupe NSIA dans les fonctions de Directeur du contrôle en charge de l’audit et de la conformité. 

En 2016, des impératifs familiaux me font résider aux USA où je reste consultant pour le Groupe jusqu’en 2023, date à laquelle je reviens dans le Groupe NSIA comme Chief Operating Officer (COO) à NSIA Nigeria. 

Je profite de mon séjour aux USA pour acquérir un Master in Business Administration et la certification CPCU (Chartered Property casualty Underwriter) de « The Institutes of America».

Depuis janvier 2026, j’occupe le poste de Directeur Général de Manzi Ré, la captive du Groupe NSIA, nouvellement créée et agréée par la CRCA en décembre 2025.

Mwangala Mwiya is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Hobbiton Technologies, a fast-growing Zambian technology company building innovative digital products for Africa’s financial and insurance sectors. Under his leadership, Hobbiton has launched and powered groundbreaking platforms including Inshuwa, a Pan-African InsurTech platform; Gari, a motor insurance platform; Lipila, a seamless digital payment solution; Patumba, a savings and investment platform and Lipila.Later - Zambia’s first Buy Now, Pay Later platform.

He is known for his visionary approach to accessible and inclusive technology, driving products that simplify financial services while delivering real impact for consumers, agents, and enterprises. Mwangala has positioned Hobbiton Technologies as a trusted technology partner to major insurers, mobile money operators, and financial institutions across Zambia and the region.

A passionate advocate for digital innovation, he continues to lead Hobbiton’s mission to build scalable, practical, and locally-driven tech solutions that shape the future of African fintech and InsurTech.

Executive Director – Insurers Association of Zambia (IAZ)

Dr Nkaka Mwashika is the Executive Director of the Insurers Association of Zambia. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration in Finance and Private Equity Investment and a Post-Doctoral Certificate in Artificial Intelligence: Business Strategies and Applications from Binary University, Malaysia, as well as an MBA from Heriot-Watt University, UK.

With over two decades of senior leadership experience in pensions, insurance, and financial services, Dr Mwashika has served in key roles including Pension Finance Manager at the Bank of Zambia, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Head of Finance and Investment in leading pension trust funds and insurance companies. His expertise spans finance, investments, risk advisory, treasury operations, and InsurTech.

Professional Designations: DBA, MBA, FCCA, FZICA, MATT, ATD, MFC, Cert AI.

Born and raised in Zambia, Lowani Chibesakunda’s enriching Citi career begun 25 years ago. Currently, Citi Zambia CEO for past 5 years. She has held various leadership positions within Citi Zambia in Corporate Banking and Operations. Her previous role for 3 years had been Corporate Bank Head for Citi Zambia. She has also had the privilege of working in other Citi presence counties such as South Africa, China and the United Kingdom

Lowani, prides herself in being a strong advocate of leading by coaching, mentoring and in having strong customer relationship skills. Her focus on customer relationship emanated from covering Multinational, Public Sector, Non-Profit and Top Tier Local Corporates.

Lowani holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University, degree in Financial Services from the University of the West of England Bristol, Certificate in Banking from the Chartered Institute of Bankers –UK, diverse Certificates from Wharton School University of Pennsylvania, MIT Sloan School of Management, Berkely University, and Yale School of Management.

Lowani is enthusiastic about positive impact to the business community and education hence is currently the Chairperson of the Bankers Association of Zambia and board member of Baobab College & Scared Heart of Jesus School. She is also a past President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia.

In her spare time, Lowani is an ardent gardener and values family time.

Musa Wesutsa is a visionary leader in information security, artificial intelligence, data protection and compliance, with deep expertise in navigating Africa’s evolving tech landscape. As the Group CEO and co-founder of Sentinel Africa Consulting and Sentinel Africa Training Institute, Musa combines technical knowledge with real-world implementation expertise, guiding organizations through ISO certifications and building robust security frameworks.

With over 15 years of experience and a strong portfolio of credentials, including the Stanford Seed Transformation Program, ISO/IEC 27001 Master, and ISO 42001 Lead Implementer, Musa brings a rare blend of technical depth and strategic foresight, enabling executives to bridge the gap between automation, innovation, compliance and profitability. His recent work focuses on embedding Artificial Intelligence (AI) into business operations through practical governance frameworks that ensure both value creation and ethical alignment.

At the Kenya Re CEOs Summit 2025, Musa will unpack how African leaders can move beyond the AI hype to build practical, context-aware AI strategies that deliver measurable business outcomes, from operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making to customer trust and competitive differentiation.

Andrew Chuma is the Airtel Money Managing Director.

Lillian T. Mutwalo is an award-winning Senior Executive and influential leader in Africa’s telecommunications, infrastructure, and banking sectors, recognized for her strategic vision and transformative impact. A 2022 Zee Woman in Tech Award recipient and 2023 Finalist Nominee for the Women in Telecom Awards (World Communications Awards), Lillian boasts over two decades of cross-industry expertise in driving large-scale projects, shaping customer-centric strategies, and propelling organizations to achieve significant revenue growth.

Currently serving as the Founding Managing Director of Bayobab Zambia - a Pan-African company offering digital wholesale and infrastructure services, she has been instrumental in building a robust digital ecosystem, overseeing the rollout of 7,500+ kilometers of fiber infrastructure and strategically directing a USD 35 million equity investment to advance Zambia’s position as a thriving digital transit hub. Under her leadership, Bayobab Zambia has clinched multiple accolades, including Best Start-up Company, Tech Deal of the Year, Best Rebrand of the Year, and Best Partnership of the Year, testaments to her ability to unite innovation, operational excellence, and collaborative partnerships in pursuit of sustainable growth.

Her LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillian-mutwalo-a236ba2b/ 

Violet Kapekele is an Insurance Professional with over 28 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. She currently serves as the Inclusive Insurance Manager at Hollard Insurance Zambia, where she leads nationwide efforts to expand innovative and accessible insurance solutions.

A Microinsurance Master since 2019, Violet completed the acclaimed accelerator and leadership program in inclusive insurance at Pioneer Insurance in the Philippines. This training strengthened her capacity to design, implement, and scale inclusive insurance solutions for underserved communities.

Violet possesses extensive expertise in innovative and unconventional inclusive insurance models tailored for the Zambian market. For the past four years, she has headed the Inclusive Insurance Department at Hollard, where she has forged impactful partnerships with key organizations supporting financial inclusion and MSME-focused insurance initiatives.

Her work extends deeply into farmer engagement at the country level. Violet has led and facilitated multiple nationwide programs that bring insurance education, awareness, and tailored products directly to farming communities. She has collaborated with farmer cooperatives, agro-associations, government agencies, and development partners to ensure smallholder farmers across Zambia gain access to relevant and affordable risk-management tools. Her outreach includes field trainings, community mobilization, product sensitization, and working closely with stakeholders to integrate insurance into agricultural value chains.

Although based in Lusaka, Violet travels extensively across Zambia—crossing boundaries and reaching remote communities—to fulfill her mission: ensuring insurance reaches the unreached.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Insurance & Pensions Management from the University of Lusaka.

Kelvin Chikomo serves as the Managing Director for cGrate International. Kelvin has been part of the cGrate journey since 2008, a journey that started with the humble selling of talktime.  cGrate now serves as the biggest bill payments aggregator in Zambia. 

Some key achievements from Kelvin being the rollout of the 543 Konse Konse brand in Zambia with a network of over 9000 agents processing bill payments, inter-operable agency banking for all banks and mobile money operations, card and mobile money payments. Besides the rollout of the 543 Konse Konse brand, Kelvin has spearheaded the mobile banking rollout for various financial institutions such as Stanbic Bank Zambia, Indo Zambia Bank (IZB), Bayport, MFinance and Zanaco's Xapit prior to joining cGrate. 

Kelvin has been part of cGrate's many firsts such as the rollout of WhatsApp Banking in 2019, payment of tax using WhatsApp in 2020 and self-service payments solutions in 2025. Kelvin has a strong passion for African solutions by Africans, this serves as his North star in his personal purpose to improve the lives of fellow African people.

Chabala Lumbwe

Maiwase is a seasoned risk and business management executive that has worked in the financial sector for the past 21 years with over 19 of those being in the Insurance Industry. 

Maiwase started her career in insurance working as an insurance broker with Aon Limited in the UK and in her last role held the position of Head of Operations at Liberty Life Insurance Zambia. 

She is a Law Degree holder, which she obtained from the University of Manchester and has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cape Town. She also holds Post Graduate Diplomas in Management from Henley Business School and Teaching Methodology from the University of Zambia. 

Maiwase is an Associate and a Chartered Insurer of the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK) and has an Advanced Diploma in Insurance from the Institute. She is also a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Zambia and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK & Zambia).