Nigeria’s Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited has solidified its position as a continental leader in the financial services sector after being named the overall winner of the CRe Momentum Award.
The honour was conferred during the inaugural CRe Insurance Awards for Africa 2026, held alongside the Continental Reinsurance CEO Summit in Kigali on 17 April.
“Stanbic IBTC Wins Africa’s Most Effective Insurance Model Award,” the judging panel declared, citing the company’s disciplined execution and its strategic focus on life insurance growth as key factors in its success. This is contained in a statement issued by the firm on Monday. The award specifically highlighted the firm’s bancassurance strategy, the integration of insurance products within banking platforms, which has set a new benchmark for the continent.
“The company was recognised for its consistent commercial performance and a highly effective bancassurance model. It is among the most effective on the African continent, demonstrating a clear and disciplined strategic focus,” the judges noted in their citation.
The recognition of Stanbic IBTC led a strong showing for Nigerian firms, with Cornerstone Insurance (Nigeria) securing second place in the same category, followed by Benin’s La Générale des Assurances in third.
The summit also served as a platform to honour media excellence through the 11th Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards, where Nigerian journalists dominated several key categories.
Commenting on the development, the Group CEO of Continental Reinsurance Holdings, Lawrence Nazare, said, “The inclusion of 10 new participating countries reflects the growing reach and impact of the awards across the continent. We are proud to recognise the journalists who are driving excellence in reporting this vital sector.”
Among the top media honourees were Henry Uche of Daily Sun, who won the English Online Category, and Blessing Ifechukwude of Voice of Nigeria, who took the top prize in the English Broadcast Category. Punch Newspaper’s Josephine Ogundeji also earned significant recognition, clinching the Dr Femi Oyetunji Future Talent Award and finishing as first runner-up in the English Print Category.
Reflecting on the rising standards of the industry across Africa, Chief Judge Michael Wilson emphasised the difficulty in selecting winners from a pool of 184 entries.
“The entries continue to improve with each edition, making the judging process increasingly challenging. This progress is a testament to the deepening expertise within both the insurance industry and the media professionals who cover it,” Wilson commented.
