The Gabonese group Samb’a Finances Holding submitted an application on 4 September 2026 to the insurance department of Cameroon’s Ministry of Finance, seeking approval to launch operations of its subsidiary Samb’a Assurances Cameroun S.A., which focuses on micro-insurance.
Registered on 21 May 2026 in Douala, the subsidiary has a share capital of 615 million FCFA held by 59 shareholders. Andrew Gwodog, founder of the group, serves as chairman, while Barthélemy Zoua holds the position of managing director and Abel Blaise Ezo’o Engolo acts as an independent director.
Samb’a Assurances Cameroun claims to be the first company in the country entirely dedicated 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 customers, the subsidiary plans to distribute its products through Mobile Money, microfinance institutions – including 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, up from 274.6 billion in 2023, according to regional economic reports. Micro-insurance is not entirely new: Activa Assurances launched a product as early as 2015, followed by AXA, which received authorisation in 2016. However, the sector still struggles to scale up in the country, market observers note.
Samb’a Finances Holding began its activities in Gabon on 18 September 2024, with an initial capital of 610 million FCFA, before embarking on this expansion into Cameroon.