30^th April 2021, Lagos, All Africa:  Continental Reinsurance Plc has announced the 6^th pan-African (re)insurance journalism awards winners.

The category winners are:

• Best Re/Insurance French entry, Amadou Oury Diallo, Jeune Afrique Media Group, Senegal
• Best Re/Insurance Print Article, Patrick Alushula, Nation Media Group, Kenya
• Best Re/Insurance online article, Londiwe Buthelezi, Fin24, South Africa
• Best Re/Insurance Broadcast Article, Mwape Zulu Kumwenda, Prime Television, Zambia
• Anass Sabit, Joy News, Ghana, won the Future Talent award for highlighting the plight of a community battling the absence of water amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 6^th edition attracted close to 100 entries across 16 African countries.  Sixty-six entries were shortlisted for an independent jury to select the overall winners.  They assessed the entries on set criteria, including raising awareness on a current news story or other noteworthy insurance issue.

The winners will receive an exclusive year-long mentorship to develop their insurance sector reporting skills further.  This is in addition to cash prizes and attendance at the next Continental Res CEO summit, health situation and government restrictions permitting.

Michael Wilson, Chair of the judging panel, said, “We were inspired by the diversity in the reporting showcasing varied angles on the subject of insurance.  We reviewed entries that connected with the audience in exciting and balanced ways. We encourage all who participated to continue carrying the message of insurance as this will, over time, positively change the trajectory of the insurance subject.

“I want to thank my fellow co-judges Shiam Appannah, Nadia Acogny-Mensah, Gareth Stokes, Jared Obuya and Kenneth Igbomor for their work in reviewing the submissions.”

Lawrence Nazare, newly-installed Group Managing Director, Continental Reinsurance Plc, added, “Currently, insurance penetration ranges between one and three percent in most African countries.  But this is a sector on the up and the subject is gaining appreciation.  As industry players, we have the responsibility to encourage and inspire journalists to report on insurance.

“And as a pan-African entity, we welcome this year’s improved geographic diversity of the finalists and balanced gender inclusivity.  Two female journalists made it to the top whilst the winners represented five different countries: Senegal, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia and Ghana.

“I want to congratulate all the winners.  Continue to tell the insurance story and remain great role models to other insurance reporters.  We are optimistic that reach and positive perception of insurance will be expanded and subsequently the uptake of insurance products enhanced across Africa.”

The awards show was hosted online by Michael Wilson, and the following winners and runner-up positions were recognized: 

Best Re/Insurance Print Article – English

	Name of Entrant	Media Organization	Country	Entry Headline
Winner	Patrick Alushula	Nation Media Group	Kenya	Covid-19 job losses lift profile of layoff covers
Second prize	Nelson Muhoozi Mandela	New Vision Printing & Publishing Co	Uganda	Microinsurance pivotal in enabling growth of SMEs
Third Prize	Beldeen Nambobi Waliaula	Standard Group Media	Kenya	Lack of health insurance exposes many to disaster
Third Prize	Tunde Ajaja	Punch Newspaper	Nigeria	#EndSARS violence: Harvest of losses for looted businesses without insurance

Best Re/Insurance Online Article – English

	Name of Entrant	Media Organization	Country	Entry Headline
Winner	Londiwe Buthelezi	Fin24	South Africa	An economic and insurance disaster’: The lockdown claims case that shook an industry
Second prize	Felix Dela Klutse	Business Day Media	Ghana	Ghana’s Insurance Sector in line with global best practices
Third Prize	Chuks Udo Okonta	Inspenonline Limited	Nigeria	Insurers moving beyond claims settlement amid COVID-19

Best Re/Insurance Broadcast (TV/Radio) Article – English

	Name of Entrant	Media Organization	Country	Entry Headline
Winner	Mwape Zulu Kumwenda	Prime Television	Zambia	Insurance in livestock
Second prize	Destiny Onyemihia	Voice of Nigeria	Nigeria	Cybersecurity: An Imperative for Insurance Companies in Nigeria
Third Prize	Mercy Tyra Murengu	Online Journalist	Kenya	UNDERSTANDING RE-INSURANCE

Best Re/Insurance Print, Online or Broadcast Article – French   

	Name of Entrant	Media Organization	Country	Entry Headline
Winner	Amadou Oury Diallo	Jeune Afrique Media Group	Senegal	Les assureurs sénégalais veulent leur part de la manne pétro-gazière
Second prize	Quentin Velluet	Jeune Afrique Media Group	France	L’assurtech dans les starting-blocks
Third Prize	Fraterne NDACYAYISENGA	Africa 24	Rwanda	Rwanda, L’ASSURANCE AGRICOLE ENFIN UNE RÉALITÉ
Third Prize	Ould Khettab	Jeune Afrique Media Group	Algeria	Le nouveau souffle de Wided Belhouchet pour Cash Assurances en Algérie

Future talent award 

	Name of Entrant	Media Organization	Country	Entry Headline
Winner	Anass Sabit	Joy News	Ghana	Covid-19 pandemic: Battling absence of water in Atebubu amidst outbreak

Visit https://www.continental-re.com/journalism-awards/ for more information about the awards.