Blog

Insights from the Field.

23 years of building insurance distribution in East Africa — perspectives on leadership, sales, and the African insurance opportunity.

Career Journey

Origin Story — 23 Years in Insurance

23 years ago I walked into my first insurance role with no playbook and no network. Here is what that journey actually looked like.

James Waweru

Week 1 · Feb 2026

Leadership

LIMRA AIAM — Africa First

In May 2016 I became the first person on the African continent to qualify as a LIMRA Associate Insurance Agency Manager. Here is why it matters.

James Waweru

Week 1 · Feb 2026

Awards

Four Times — The Full Awards Story

APA Insurance — AKI Company of the Year, General Insurance. 2018. 2021. 2023. 2024. The complete body of work, on the record.

James Waweru

Week 2 · Feb 2026

Insurance Industry

Insurance Penetration — The Opportunity

East Africa's insurance penetration is below 3%. I have never heard it called what it actually is: the largest untapped opportunity in African financial services.

James Waweru

Week 2 · Feb 2026

Sales Strategy

What Makes a Great Agent — 5 Traits

After recruiting and managing hundreds of agents across three countries, here are the 5 traits that separate the top 10% from everyone else.

James Waweru

Week 3 · Feb 2026

Leadership

Team Recognition — The People Behind the Numbers

Four AKI Company of the Year titles. Seven recognitions across three years. None of it belongs to me — it belongs to the team.

James Waweru

Week 3 · Feb 2026

Career Development

Career in Insurance — The Real Picture

I started in February 2002 as a Sales Executive on commission. Today I lead three countries. Here is what the journey actually looked like.

James Waweru

Week 4 · Feb 2026

Thought Leadership

Vision for East Africa's Insurance Future

Everyone is focused on technology. After 23 years on the ground, I am convinced of something different — technology does not close the insurance gap. People do.

James Waweru

Week 4 · Feb 2026

Insights from the Field.

Origin Story — 23 Years in Insurance

LIMRA AIAM — Africa First

Four Times — The Full Awards Story

Insurance Penetration — The Opportunity

What Makes a Great Agent — 5 Traits

Team Recognition — The People Behind the Numbers

Career in Insurance — The Real Picture

Vision for East Africa's Insurance Future

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