17, December 2024
Douala: Sanlam and Allianz finalize merger to form SanlamAllianz 0
German insurer Allianz and South African insurer Sanlam officially announced their merger. The merger, which was finalized after an extraordinary general meeting of their Cameroonian subsidiaries on July 22, has created two new companies: SanlamAllianz Cameroun Assurances, which handles general insurance and is led by Olivier Malatre, and SanlamAllianz Cameroun Assurances Vie, which focuses on life insurance and is headed by Laya Sidibé.
“The insurance market in Cameroon is growing rapidly, with increasing demand for more diverse services and customized solutions. The merger between Sanlam and Allianz meets this demand by combining the strengths of two industry leaders. Sanlam brings deep knowledge of the African market, while Allianz contributes global expertise and technological innovation. Together, they create a synergy that will greatly benefit the Cameroonian population,” said Heinie Werth, CEO of SanlamAllianz.
SanlamAllianz now holds a significant position in Cameroon’s insurance market, with over CFA51 billion in revenue. More than CFA26 billion comes from SanlamAllianz Cameroun Assurances Vie, based on 2023 data. With the country’s total insurance market revenue reaching CFA272.5 billion at the end of 2023, according to the Association of Insurance Companies of Cameroon (ASAC), SanlamAllianz now controls 18.7% of the market.
The merger agreement was first announced on May 4, 2022, in a statement released on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Sanlam, Africa’s largest listed insurance group, had reached a deal to combine its pan-African operations with German group Allianz.
According to the terms of the agreement, Continental-Re, a reinsurer also operating in Cameroon, is not included in the deal. It remains under Sanlam’s ownership, as the group acquired it in 2018 after purchasing Moroccan insurer Saham.
The agreement also states that Allianz holds a 40% share in the newly formed entity, with an option to increase its ownership to 49%. The remaining shares remain under Sanlam’s control.
Source: Business in Cameroon



















17, December 2024
WTO commends Cameroon’s ratification of fisheries subsidy law 0
During the opening ceremony of the 5th annual session of the General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on December 16, 2024, in Geneva, Cameroon officially submitted its law ratifying the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The law, adopted by Cameroon’s Parliament in June, was formally handed over by Cameroon’s ambassador, Salomon Ehet, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office, the WTO, and other international organizations in Geneva, to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
“I warmly welcome Cameroon’s formal acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a critical step toward protecting our oceans and ensuring sustainable fishing practices,” said Okonjo-Iweala.
The WTO Director-General also emphasized the significance of this move for small-scale fishing: “As the proud host of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference in 2026, Cameroon is demonstrating leadership in advancing global trade and environmental sustainability. This agreement is especially vital for artisanal fishers in Cameroon and around the world, safeguarding their livelihoods by curbing harmful subsidies and preserving marine ecosystems for future generations.”
The Cameroonian government had submitted the bill to Parliament in June 2024 to ratify the amendment to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO, which focuses on regulating fisheries subsidies. The agreement, signed on June 17, 2022, aims to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a challenge for Cameroon’s coasts, often exploited by foreign fishing fleets.
By ratifying the agreement, Cameroon commits to providing detailed information on its fisheries subsidies and benefits from a two-year exemption period to comply with disciplines related to IUU fishing subsidies. Additionally, the country will receive technical assistance to strengthen its capacities and access to a voluntary WTO funding mechanism dedicated to this support.
Ambassador Salomon Ehet highlighted that Cameroon’s adoption of the law is “a compelling testament to governance that is both relevant and geared towards the protection of the environment in all its forms, while remaining committed to developing the maritime fisheries sector. This initiative, which aligns with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (NDS-30), further stands as a strong symbol of the country’s commitment to hosting a successful Ministerial Conference (MC14) in 2026.”
The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference is scheduled to take place in Yaoundé from March 26 to 29, 2026.
Source: Business in Cameroon