The West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) will host its 2025 Education Conference in Lagos this October, spotlighting climate change’s growing impact on the region.
The event, themed “The West African Insurer Facing Climate Change,” aims to address emerging risks.
Urgent Discussions
Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, chair of the organizing committee, spoke at a press briefing on September 30, 2025, stressing the need for action.
“Climate change is hitting West Africa hard, affecting communities and economies. This conference will explore solutions,” she said.
Regional Vulnerabilities
West Africa faces faster-than-average climate shifts, with rising temperatures and erratic rainfall. Floods in Lagos and droughts in areas like Delta State disrupt agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods, increasing insurance claims and risks.
Conference Goals
Hosted by the Nigerian Insurers Association, the summit will gather insurers, regulators, and policymakers from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.
It aims to create strategies for managing climate-driven risks through innovative insurance products.
Key Speakers
Wole Oshin of Custodian Investment Plc will present the main paper. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, will give the keynote address.
Olusegun Omosehin, Nigeria’s Insurance Commissioner, will host, joined by Ghana’s Dr. Abiba Zakaria and Sierra Leone’s Bockarie Kaloko.
Addressing Impacts
Nwachukwu, citing her Delta State ties, noted, “Floods destroy crops, homes, and livestock. We need insurance solutions to protect communities.”
The conference will analyze risks and propose new tools to mitigate them.
Beyond Profit
While climate risks present a large market, Nwachukwu emphasized preparedness over profit.
“Our focus is on understanding exposures and protecting people, not just premiums,” she said.
Why It Matters
The summit addresses West Africa’s unique climate challenges, aiming to safeguard economies and communities against escalating weather-related losses.
What’s Next
In October 2025, the conference will deliver actionable insights, encouraging insurers to develop products that tackle climate risks across West Africa.
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