The Gabonese group Samb’a Finances Holding has submitted an application for approval to the insurance department of Cameroon’s Ministry of Finance on 4 September 2026, aiming to launch operations of its subsidiary Samb’a Assurances Cameroun S.A., which is dedicated to micro-insurance.
Incorporated on 21 May 2026 in Douala, the subsidiary has a share capital of 615 million FCFA, distributed among 59 shareholders. It is chaired by Andrew Gwodog, the group’s founder, with Barthélemy Zoua serving as managing director and Abel Blaise Ezo’o Engolo as independent director.
Samb’a Assurances Cameroun positions itself as the country’s first company entirely focused on micro-insurance, a segment of non-life insurance designed for low-income populations. Premiums will start at 3,500 FCFA per month.
To reach its target clientele, the subsidiary plans to distribute its products through Mobile Money, microfinance institutions – including Financial House, cited as a key partner – and community networks.
A market still in its infancy in Cameroon
Cameroon’s insurance market generated 288.7 billion FCFA in premiums in 2024, up from 274.6 billion in 2023. Micro-insurance is not entirely new there: Activa Assurances launched a product as early as 2015, followed by AXA, which was authorised in 2016. However, the sector still struggles to scale up in the country, according to market observers.
Samb’a Finances Holding initiated its activities in Gabon on 18 September 2024, with an initial capital of 610 million FCFA, before embarking on this Cameroonian expansion.
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