Ashok Shah wins Africa’s highest insurance accolade

Group CEO of APA Apollo Group Ashok Shah/HANDOUT

Ashok Shah, the Group CEO of APA Apollo Group, has been honoured with the coveted CEO of the Year award at the 10th edition of the African Insurance Awards, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Hosted by Africa Re, the awards ceremony is widely regarded as a benchmark for excellence in the continent’s insurance industry, celebrating innovation, leadership, and transformative impact across Africa.

Shah emerged as the standout winner among a competitive pool of nominees representing top insurance leaders from Kenya, Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Tunisia.

The award recognises Shah’s visionary leadership, industry acumen, and enduring contribution to the development of Africa’s insurance sector.

Under his guidance, APA Apollo Group has evolved into one of the region’s most trusted and dynamic financial services institutions, lauded for its customer-focused innovations, digital transformation, and commitment to sustainability.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award, which is truly a reflection of the incredible team at APA Apollo Group,” Shah said in his acceptance remarks.

“Together, we have built a company rooted in trust, resilience, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve. This recognition inspires us to continue pushing boundaries and shaping the future of insurance in Africa.”

The African Insurance Awards, established in 2015 by Africa Re, aim to promote best practices, encourage innovation, and strengthen the insurance industry across the continent.

This year’s edition marked a milestone 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of recognising top achievers and thought leaders in the African insurance space.

APA Insurance, part of the broader Apollo Group, is a key player in East Africa’s insurance landscape.

The group operates across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, offering a wide range of solutions including motor, property, agriculture, health, and liability insurance, as well as micro-insurance products aimed at underserved markets.

In addition to its core insurance operations — APA Insurance and APA Life Insurance — the group also includes Apollo Asset Management and Gordon Court Limited, reflecting a well-diversified financial services portfolio.