Continental Re hires Swiss Re exec to spearhead new venture

Continental Reinsurance has completed the incorporation of a subsidiary office in Douala, Cameroon, and hired a chief executive from Swiss Re to head up the new venture.

The company started its operations in Douala in 2004 as a branch office and later opened its Abidjan office in 2012 to diversify its activities in the CIMA region. It has appointed Oumar BA as CEO of the newly established subsidiary.

Most recently, Oumar served at Swiss Re as regional manager (West Africa – Anglophone). Prior to that, he held roles as senior client manager (Swiss Re Africa / Swiss Re Zurich), property underwriter (Swiss Re Africa / Johannesburg) and also worked with Salama Assurances (Senegal).

Femi Oyetunji, group managing director of Continental Reinsurance, said: “This development reinforces our commitment to the CIMA region and our valued partners. We already have a strong local team on the ground, and our goal is to utilize our new status to maximize value. “At the same time, we’re delighted to announce that we have appointed Mr Oumar BA as the CEO of the newly established subsidiary, effective immediately. Given our new status, we believe he will be able to leverage on his expertise and track record to capitalize on the current demand for localized service and we look forward to Oumar helping us develop that further in the CIMA region.”

Oumar BA commented: “I am pleased to be joining Continental Re as CEO for the CIMA region. I take up the role with great enthusiasm for the industry and look forward to driving the operational execution of our strategy and deepen our influence over time.”

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