Dr. Ben Kajwang, the Chief Executive Officer of the College of Insurance, Kenya, has been crowned Best-Performing CEO at the 2026 BOBEA Leadership Awards, in recognition of his exceptional leadership, innovation, and outstanding contribution to the insurance and education sectors across Africa.
The prestigious accolade celebrates Dr. Kajwang’s transformative leadership that has elevated the College of Insurance into one of Africa’s leading centres for insurance, risk management, pensions, and financial services training while positioning Kenya as a continental hub for professional excellence.
Receiving the award places Dr. Kajwang among the continent’s most influential executives whose leadership continues to shape industries through innovation, governance, and sustainable institutional growth.
His recognition comes after more than two decades of distinguished service spanning insurance practice, reinsurance, academia, policy development, and regional skills development.
Transforming Insurance Education Across Africa
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. Under his stewardship, the college has modernised its curriculum to meet the demands of an evolving insurance industry, with a strong focus on digital transformation, emerging risks, and future-ready professional skills.
One of his most notable achievements has been leading 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 gained continental recognition after hosting the 48th African Insurance Organisation (AIO) Conference and General Assembly, further cementing Kenya’s position 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 impressive 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 are equipped with relevant skills required in today’s rapidly changing financial services landscape.
His influence extends far beyond Kenya. Between 2022 and 2023, he served as President of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO), the continent’s premier insurance body. Prior to 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.
Driving Regional Skills Development
Dr. Kajwang’s impact is evident through 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 the East African Community while partnering with organisations including the World Bank, USAID, COMESA, the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), and the Kenya Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).
Among his landmark achievements is the nationwide rollout of the Executive Certificate of Proficiency in Insurance (ECOP), which has reached more than 5,500 participants across all 47 counties in Kenya.
He also spearheaded the Pensions Trustee Development Programme that 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.
Decorated Scholar and Industry 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 prolific author and researcher, he has written nine books and published more than 70 academic and professional papers focusing on insurance, governance, leadership, risk management, and institutional transformation.
His expertise has made him a respected speaker at regional and international conferences, while his research continues to shape policy discussions on insurance education, digital innovation, and workforce development across emerging markets.
National Recognition for Outstanding Service
In December 2023, Dr. Kajwang received one of Kenya’s highest national honours when the President of Kenya awarded him the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) during the country’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 influence governance, regulation, and human capital development.
Recognition of Transformational Leadership
The Best-Performing CEO award at the BOBEA Leadership Awards adds another milestone to Dr. Kajwang’s illustrious career, affirming his reputation as one of Africa’s foremost champions of insurance education, institutional transformation, and leadership excellence.
His visionary approach has not only transformed the College of Insurance into a world-class institution but also significantly 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’s leadership remains instrumental in preparing the next generation of insurance professionals while advancing Kenya’s position as a regional centre of excellence.
