Africa Re has confirmed that Ephraim Kiiza Bichetero (pictured above) has assumed the role of deputy managing director and chief operating officer (DMD/COO), effective July 1, following a transition and succession program that began a year ago.
Bichetero succeeds Kenneth Edirin Napoleon Aghoghovbia, the corporation’s longest-serving DMD/COO, who oversaw the transition before retiring from the position.
A Ugandan national, Bichetero joined Africa Re in June 2004 as an underwriter for the East Africa Region, operating from the Nairobi Regional Office. Prior to joining the company, he spent over a decade in various roles within the primary insurance sector.
Over the past two decades at Africa Re, he has held multiple positions, including senior underwriter, assistant director for technical operations, deputy regional director, interim regional director, and, most recently, regional director for the Nairobi office, a role he held from January 2018 through June 2024.
Africa Re Group managing director and chief executive officer Dr. Corneille Karekezi said the board welcomed Bichetero as a full member of the executive management team.
“He has demonstrated the essential technical, behavioural and leadership competencies and capabilities over many years to execute this assignment and I wish him success in this role,” Karezeki said.
In his new position, Bichetero will assist the GMD/CEO in overseeing the group’s underwriting operations and other responsibilities across Africa Re’s subsidiaries, regional offices, contact offices, and underwriting representative offices.
During the transition period in 2024, Bichetero played a role in advancing Africa Re’s engagement in climate resilience and youth empowerment. Last month, he was notably involved in launching a five-year partnership between Africa Re and UNICEF, aimed at supporting over 4.8 million Nigerian youth through climate education and digital tools.
The program, which includes initiatives such as the Nigeria Learning Passport and YOMA (Youth Marketplace Agency), is designed to improve climate literacy and connect young people with employment opportunities in sustainability-linked sectors.
Africa Re has also been active in regional responses to natural catastrophe events, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The corporation has recently supported local insurance frameworks in responding to climate-related disasters such as Cyclone Freddy.
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