Rwanda is taking part in a new step towards closer alignment of insurance supervisory practices across East Africa. Meeting in Nairobi, regulators from six countries in the region adopted a harmonised assessment template for the Insurance Core Principles and advanced several joint initiatives related to digital supervision, policyholder protection and innovation.
Insurance supervisory authorities from six East African countries are strengthening their cooperation as they seek to bring their regulatory and supervisory practices closer together.
Regulators from Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo participated in the annual meetings of the East African Insurance Supervisors Association (EAISA) held in Nairobi from 16 to 18 September 2026.
Rwanda was notably represented by Faith Batamuriza, Director of Insurance and Pensions at the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR).
A common model for assessing insurance supervision
One of the main developments was the adoption of a harmonised assessment template for the Insurance Core Principles.
These principles serve as international benchmarks for the supervision of the insurance sector.
The framework is intended to provide national authorities with a common basis for assessing their supervisory practices and facilitate comparisons between insurance markets across the region.
The exercise covers 25 Insurance Core Principles.
The harmonised approach is expected to facilitate the identification of regulatory gaps and encourage the sharing of experience among the different supervisory authorities.
Towards more coordinated regional supervision
The harmonisation of assessment methods is not the only initiative being pursued by regulators.
The meetings also advanced work on the Regional Integrated Insurance Supervisory Software (RIISS).
The initiative notably aims to strengthen information sharing and improve supervisory efficiency through the use of digital technologies.
Regulators also worked on a harmonised regional approach to digital transformation, addressing issues including interoperability, cybersecurity, consumer protection, system efficiency and improved access to insurance services.
A common framework to support innovation
EAISA also approved the development of a harmonised EAC Insurance Sandbox Regulatory Framework.
The framework is intended to provide supervisory authorities with a common approach to supporting innovation in the insurance sector while strengthening cooperation among regulators.
Policyholder protection is another area covered by the regional work.
Authorities approved the continued development of regional guidelines on insurance complaints management, with the objective of establishing common standards for the fair, timely and effective handling of complaints while taking into account the legal frameworks of individual countries.
Regional monitoring and evaluation guidelines are also expected to improve the comparability of insurance market data and support supervisory decision-making.
Rwanda involved in the alignment of regional supervisory practices
For Rwanda, these initiatives come at a time when insurance activities are increasingly taking on a regional dimension.
The presence of groups operating across several East African markets notably reinforces the need for cooperation among national supervisory authorities.
However, the process being pursued within EAISA does not, at this stage, amount to the establishment of a single insurance regulatory regime across the six countries.
The announced initiatives primarily concern the harmonisation of supervisory methods, information sharing, digital transformation and the development of common regional frameworks.
Kenya to host the EAISA Secretariat
Another decision announced following the meetings is that Kenya will host the EAISA Secretariat for the next five years.
The establishment of the Secretariat is intended to provide the association with a permanent base to facilitate the coordination of its regional activities.
The Nairobi meetings therefore mark another step in cooperation among East African insurance supervisors, with particular emphasis on closer supervisory practices, technology and policyholder protection.
250Assurances / insurance – Insurance news platform in RWANDA and Africa – September 20, 2026https://250assurances.com/2026/09/20/continental-reinsurance-expands-into-rwanda-with-kigali-representative-office/
