Khurshid Fazel, Partner at Webber Wentzel, says outcomes-based water bonds could become a critical tool for financing Africa’s water infrastructure by linking investor returns to verified environmental outcomes and unlocking private capital for sustainable water security projects.
Luke Morawitz, Country Manager of Allianz Trade South Africa, says rising geopolitical tensions and higher global cost pressures are increasing insolvency risks for businesses, making cash-flow resilience and stronger credit risk management more important than ever.
Mpumi Tyikwe, CEO of Sasria, says the insurer’s strong financial recovery and capital growth position it to expand its mandate, strengthen resilience, and better address emerging risks such as climate-related events and socio-economic shocks.
Allianz Trade has appointed Luke Morawitz as Country Manager for South Africa, effective 1 February 2026, while he retains his role as Head of Credit. A 14-year veteran of the business, Morawitz succeeds into the leadership role reporting to Luca Burrafato, Head of MMEA.
The Allianz Risk Barometer 2026 highlights cyber incidents as the top global risk for a fifth year, with AI surging to second place amid rapid adoption, while geopolitical tensions, regulation, and business interruption continue reshaping the global risk landscape.
Joao Frasco, Chief Investment Officer at INN8 Invest, says increasing market volatility and shifting investment dynamics are forcing advisers to adopt more disciplined, outcome-focused portfolio strategies, while deeper collaboration with discretionary fund managers is becoming essential to delivering consistent client outcomes.
The transition to COFI is not merely a compliance exercise but a deeper shift toward trust-centred, client-focused financial planning, requiring firms to strengthen culture, governance, leadership and client experience through intentional, long-term transformation.
Mareli Mans, Head of FundsAtWork & GI Product & Pricing at Momentum Corporate, says Momentum Corporate’s decision to remove traditional insurance ceilings for healthy HIV-positive employees reflects a modern, wellness-based approach that aligns underwriting with current medical realities and promotes greater financial inclusion.
Bertie Nel, Head of Financial Planning and Advice at Momentum, says South Africans should view their monthly income not just as a means of survival, but as the foundation for building long-term wealth through disciplined saving, investing and financial protection.
Khurshid Fazel, Partner at Webber Wentzel, says outcomes-based water bonds could become a critical tool for financing Africa’s water infrastructure by linking investor returns to verified environmental outcomes and unlocking private capital for sustainable water security projects.
Paul Cluer, Managing Director at Foord, says the sharp market turmoil triggered by the Middle East energy shock highlighted the importance of capital preservation, with Foord’s defensively positioned portfolios outperforming peers by limiting losses during March’s global sell-off.
The Middle East conflict is expected to push global inflation higher and slow economic growth, but weaker demand should prevent major central banks from aggressively raising interest rates despite rising energy and supply-side pressures.
Adriaan Pask, CIO of PSG Wealth, says long-term investment success depends less on predicting markets and more on disciplined behaviour, consistent saving, appropriate asset allocation and avoiding emotional reactions during periods of uncertainty.
Rishai Neerachand, Executive Head of Business Insurance at Miway, says South Africa’s growing entrepreneurial sector must prioritise risk management early, as tailored insurance and support services are essential for protecting small businesses against operational, legal and emerging digital risks.
Kenny Thorpe, Chairman of Price Forbes South Africa, says the launch of the new construction practice, strengthened by specialist appointments and a partnership with the London team, positions the business to better serve construction clients across Africa and global markets.
Wynand van Vuuren, Client Experience Partner at King Price Insurance, says credit shortfall cover protects motorists from having to repay the difference between an insurer’s payout and the outstanding finance owed on a written-off or stolen vehicle.
Andries Wiese, Head of Agriculture at Hollard, says rapid technological advancement and the expansion of agribusinesses beyond farming are reshaping agricultural risk, requiring insurers and brokers to adopt more holistic, tailored risk management and insurance solutions.
Werner Strydom’s appointment as CEO of GENRIC Insurance marks a leadership transition focused on continuity and growth, leveraging his deep internal experience to build on the company’s entrepreneurial culture and drive expansion in specialised insurance markets.
Sherry Sibeko, Executive Head for Personal Lines at Miway Insurance, emphasises that understanding policy details, including cover, exclusions, costs and conditions, is essential for consumers to make informed decisions and avoid unexpected claim outcomes.
The African Insurance Awards (AIA) 2026 will take place on 7 June 2026 in Cairo, celebrating excellence and innovation across the industry. Nominations are open until 13 April 2026 across categories including CEO, Insurance Company, Innovation, and InsurTech of the Year.
Alex Thomson, co-founder of Naked Insurance, says Naked’s launch of a native ChatGPT app capable of generating binding car insurance quotes signals a future where AI assistants will increasingly help consumers compare, manage and personalise financial services on their behalf.
Andrew Russell, Group CEO & Managing Director of Iress, says the partnership with Thoughtworks will accelerate platform modernisation and AI integration, helping wealth management clients improve efficiency, innovation and data-driven advice capabilities in increasingly complex markets.
Webber Wentzel partners, say South Africa’s Draft National AI Policy marks a major shift toward formal AI regulation, urging organisations to strengthen governance, engage in public consultation, and prepare for a multi-regulatory, sector-specific compliance environment.
Lumetrade by Lumepay introduces institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure in Africa, enabling faster, transparent, and compliant cross-border transactions, addressing costly inefficiencies in traditional banking systems and positioning digital assets as a viable rail for value transfer across the continent.
Personalisation is evolving but remains underutilised. Andrew Solomon, Client Strategy Director at Achievement Awards Group, explores its challenges—data complexity, AI integration, and resource constraints. Despite these hurdles, businesses can start small, refine strategies, and gradually enhance customer engagement through tailored experiences.
Complaints are an inevitable aspect of running a business. Handling these customer grievances effectively is crucial, not only for maintaining a good relationship with the complaining customer but also for safeguarding your business’s reputation - especially in an era where social media can amplify an individual’s voice
Janeesha Ragubeer, Area Manager at Business Partners Limited, foresees a promising season ahead for South African small businesses, offering her insights on three actionable strategies to help them flourish this spring.
