Years of transforming insurance education and championing professional excellence have earned Dr. Ben Kajwang one of the continent's top leadership honours.
The College of Insurance Kenya Chief Executive Officer has been named the Best-Performing CEO at the 2026 BOBEA Leadership Awards, recognising his outstanding contribution to insurance education, innovation and institutional leadership in Kenya and across Africa.
The accolade crowns a distinguished career that has seen him elevate the College of Insurance into a continental centre of excellence while helping shape the future of Africa's insurance industry.
The recognition also places Dr. Kajwang among Africa's most influential corporate leaders whose visionary leadership continues to shape industries through innovation, sound governance and sustainable institutional growth. It also crowns more than two decades of distinguished service spanning insurance practice, reinsurance, academia, policy development and regional skills development.
Dr. Ben Kajwang's Leadership Has Transformed the College of Insurance
Since taking the helm as Director and CEO of the College of Insurance, Dr. Kajwang has overseen a remarkable transformation of the institution into a globally recognised centre of excellence for insurance and financial services education.
Under his stewardship, the College has modernised its curriculum to align with the evolving demands of the insurance industry, placing greater emphasis on digital transformation, emerging risks and future-ready professional skills.
One of his most notable achievements has been spearheading the development of The Edge Hotel and Convention Centre, a state-of-the-art five-star facility that has significantly enhanced the College's capacity to host regional and international conferences.
The facility earned continental recognition after successfully hosting the 48th African Insurance Organisation (AIO) Conference and General Assembly, further cementing Kenya's reputation as a leading destination for insurance dialogue, professional networking and industry collaboration.
Dr. Kajwang has also championed knowledge creation by overseeing the publication of more than 25 learning materials used by students pursuing insurance and risk management qualifications.
A Distinguished Career in Insurance Leadership
Beyond education, Dr. Kajwang has built an accomplished career within the insurance industry, serving in senior leadership positions across insurance companies, insurance brokerage firms and reinsurance organisations.
His unique blend of practical industry experience and academic expertise has enabled him to bridge the gap between professional training and market needs, ensuring graduates acquire the skills required to thrive in today's rapidly changing financial services landscape.
His influence extends beyond Kenya's borders. Between 2022 and 2023, he served as President of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO), the continent's premier insurance body.
Before that, he chaired the Association of Insurance Trainers and Educators in Africa for nine years, playing a pivotal role in harmonising insurance education standards across the continent.
Championing Insurance Skills Development Across Africa
Dr. Kajwang's impact is reflected in numerous regional capacity-building initiatives that have strengthened insurance education and professional certification across Africa.
He has led curriculum development and certification programmes in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi and across the East African Community, working alongside organisations including the World Bank, USAID, COMESA, the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) and the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).
Among his landmark achievements is the nationwide rollout of the Executive Certificate of Proficiency in Insurance (ECOP), a programme that has reached more than 5,500 participants across all 47 counties in Kenya.
He also spearheaded the Pensions Trustee Development Programme, which has trained over 8,500 trustees, while the Traffic Police Insurance Training Programme has equipped more than 1,500 officers with insurance knowledge to improve compliance and public awareness.
Scholar, Researcher and Thought Leader
Dr. Kajwang combines executive leadership with academic excellence. He holds a PhD in Strategic Management and is a Chartered Insurer accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute in the United Kingdom.
A respected author and researcher, he has written nine books and published more than 70 academic and professional papers covering insurance, governance, leadership, risk management and institutional transformation.
His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker at regional and international conferences, while his research continues to influence discussions on insurance education, digital innovation and workforce development across emerging markets.
National Recognition for Outstanding Service
Dr. Kajwang's contribution to Kenya's insurance sector has also earned him national recognition.
In December 2023, he received one of the country's highest civilian honours when he was awarded the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) by the President of Kenya during the nation's 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations.
The honour recognised his immense contribution to insurance education, professional development and national capacity building.
He currently serves on several influential boards, including Africa-Re Foundation, the Africa Insurance Organisation Foundation, the Organisation of East and Southern Africa Insurers (OESAI) and Kenya's Policyholders Compensation Fund, where he continues to shape governance, regulation and human capital development within the insurance sector.
BOBEA Award Recognises Visionary Leadership
Winning the Best-Performing CEO Award at the 2026 BOBEA Leadership Awards marks another significant milestone in Dr. Kajwang's distinguished career, reinforcing his reputation as one of Africa's foremost champions of insurance education, institutional transformation and leadership excellence.
His visionary leadership has not only transformed the College of Insurance into a world-class institution but has also strengthened Africa's insurance ecosystem through innovation, policy leadership, research and professional skills development.
As the insurance industry continues to evolve amid technological disruption and emerging global risks, Dr. Kajwang remains at the forefront of preparing the next generation of insurance professionals while advancing Kenya's position as a regional centre of excellence in insurance and financial services education.
