Cameroun: Samb’a Finances Holding seeks approval for micro-insurance subsidiary

The Gabonese group Samb’a Finances Holding submitted an application on September 4, 2026, to the insurance department of Cameroon’s Ministry of Finance, seeking approval to launch operations for its subsidiary Samb’a Assurances Cameroun S.A., which will focus on micro-insurance.

Established on May 21, 2026, in Douala, the subsidiary has a capital of 615 million FCFA distributed among 59 shareholders. Andrew Gwodog, the group’s founder, serves as chairman, while Barthélemy Zoua holds the role of managing director and Abel Blaise Ezo’o Engolo acts as an independent director.

Samb’a Assurances Cameroun positions itself as the first company in the country dedicated entirely to micro-insurance, a segment of non-life insurance aimed at 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—with Financial House cited as a key partner—and community networks.

A still underdeveloped market in Cameroon

Cameroon’s insurance market generated 288.7 billion FCFA in premiums in 2024, compared to 274.6 billion in 2023, according to regional economic press. Micro-insurance is not entirely new: Activa Assurances launched a product as early as 2015, followed by AXA, which was authorized in 2016. However, the sector still struggles to scale up in the country, according to market observers.

Samb’a Finances Holding began its activities in Gabon on September 18, 2024, with an initial capital of 610 million FCFA, before embarking on this Cameroonian expansion.