M&B met Patricia Assumani, Regional Director of SFA. She talks to us about the insurance context in the DRC.
To begin with, who is Patricia Assumani and how did you come to be in your current position?
Wife, mother of three children and active woman, I grew up in a family of seven children in which hard work, excellence and discipline have always been the foundation of its values.
I spent my school and academic career and a large part of my professional life in Belgium, particularly in Brussels.
In 2011, I decided to return to my country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and more specifically to Katanga. In the end, I realised that it was an excellent choice.
In January 2020, I continued my career, this time with an insurance company. I’ve put all my energy into it and I sincerely believe I’ve proved myself. This experience and commitment enabled me to take up the position of Regional Manager for Greater Katanga as soon as I joined SFA Congo Assurance.
How would you assess the insurance market in Katanga, Lualaba and the DRC as a whole?
The insurance market is booming, although the penetration rate of the insurance sector is still not very representative of the Congolese market.
Haut -Katanga and Lualaba are mining regions where insurance is essential. I remain convinced that in the next few years, the Democratic Republic of Congo could be one of the top 5 African markets in the insurance sector.
What are your objectives for the provinces of Katanga and Lualaba? And can you tell us about SFA’s vision for the country?
SFA has ambitious goals. It wants to strengthen its position as a leader among companies and provide its customers with expertise in the fields of import of goods, fire, engineering, civil liability, vehicle fleet insurance and all other branches of insurance. At the same time, the SFA wants to develop insurance for private individuals and provide every household with protection and support in the event of a claim. In addition, the SFA wants to make a significant contribution to raising awareness of the insurance culture among the Congolese population.
SFA’s vision at national level is to be a credible insurer. In order to achieve this, our insurance company has entered into international partnerships with leading reinsurers benefiting from our expertise, including SCOR, Zep Re and many others.
Can you put a figure on SFA’s market share in the DRC since you took up your post, and what challenges are you now facing?
SFA has always been one of the top 3 players in the market, and is currently second in terms of turnover, with a market share of almost 25%.
Our challenges? To continue to stay the course and improve the penetration rate among private customers (Retail) thanks to an innovative and diversified offer.
How does SFA support women within the company?
In 2019, at the start of SFA, women represented only 1/10th of the SFA workforce. By the end of 2023, this figure had risen to 4/10ths and several women hold positions of responsibility at managerial and even operational level. Our constant concern is to promote women in general and to give them as much responsibility as men on the basis of their skills.
Any final words?
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