Employer social responsibility is a fundamental principle that defines a company's commitment to the wellbeing of its employees and society as a whole. It encompasses various aspects, such as creating a safe working environment, respecting workers' rights and promoting ethical and sustainable practices.

At OLEA, we consider this to be a central pillar of our mission. It determines the way we operate in the 25 countries where we are present, integrating practices that not only meet regulatory expectations but go beyond them, to foster a lasting positive impact.

With this in mind, OLEA Côte d'Ivoire organised a morning of discussions around this theme with its clients and partners. It was moderated by Dr Pascale Amien, Health Director at OLEA Côte d'Ivoire. The panel discussion brought together experts such as Youna Bagaté from AERIA, Audrey Ekanza from OLEA Côte d'Ivoire, Dr Zié Ouattara from ELITE INTERIM and Michael Souhone from PRUDENTIAL BELIFE. Together, they explored various aspects including:

Employer risks: The challenges of human resources management, highlighting the importance of guaranteeing the safety and well-being of employees, through appropriate solutions such as our insurance products.

Ivorian legislation and employee benefits: An in-depth analysis of the legal framework governing employee benefits, highlighting the opportunities and challenges for companies in their commitment to employee wellbeing.

Market practices in insurance: Best practices in insurance were shared, offering insights into how companies can strengthen their support for employees through tailored products.

As part of our commitment to social responsibility, we offer a comprehensive range of insurance products, customised to meet the diverse needs of employees, including:

• Health insurance : Access to essential medical care, wherever the employees may be.
• Individual accident insurance : Comprehensive accident cover, whether on or off the job.
• Death insurance : Financial security for families of the deceased in the event of premature death.
• End-of-career indemnity coverage : Guaranteeing payment of a lump sum to an employee on retirement, based on seniority and salary and in accordance with legal provision or collective bargaining agreements in force
• Supplementary retirement cover : Ensuring a stable income after retirement.

For further information please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@olea.africa.

In an often uncertain business environment, taking out liability insurance is essential for SMEs. It protects their financial interests, reputation and ability to prosper.

Financial protection

Small and medium-sized businesses are protected against the financial costs associated with claims for bodily injury or property damage caused to third parties. As a result, the company avoids high compensation costs, that could jeopardise its financial viability.

Precaution for the future

SMEs need to prepare for the unexpected and reduce the financial impact of unexpected events. This will ensure the company’s long-term viability and the ability to prosper will be guaranteed.

Legal compliance

In many countries, taking out liability insurance is a legal requirement. Complying with the law avoids fines and other sanctions that could be imposed on uninsured companies.

Protecting company assets

In the event of a dispute or claim, liability insurance can help protect businesses’ assets, including real estate, equipment and cash. This means the company can continue to operate even in the event of a legal issue.

Risk management

SMEs manage the risks associated with their business by transferring some of these to the insurer. The company can then concentrate on its day-to-day operations, without the worry of costly claims.

Brand image preserved

By demonstrating their commitment to the safety and wellbeing of their clients and community, SMEs strengthen their reputation and credibility. Clients are more likely to trust a company that takes its responsibilities seriously.

Access to contracts and partnerships

Many companies and business partners require SMEs to have liability insurance before entering into contracts or partnerships. Taking out insurance enables SMEs to access a wider range of business opportunities and collaborations.

By insuring their business for liability cover, SMEs on the African continent not only protect their financial future but also strengthen their market position. At OLEA, we are committed to providing insurance solutions tailored to the specific needs of SMEs operating in Africa.

For further information please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@olea.africa.

OLEA Tanzania, managed by Harry Coreth, actively sponsors the DAR Leopards rugby club. This partnership illustrates OLEA's commitment to core values such as respect, discipline, team spirit and perseverance. The DAR Leopards are a mainstay of rugby in Tanzania, supporting teams and events across the country. This club sponsorship means OLEA Tanzania is not only helping to promote rugby but also to spread positive values within the community. Supporting a rugby club like the DAR Leopards goes far beyond mere funding. It's about creating opportunities for young people, encouraging them to adopt a healthy lifestyle and instilling in them valuable skills that will stay with them throughout their lives. Rugby, by its very nature, teaches resilience, solidarity and commitment, essential qualities in personal and professional development.

At the rugby festival on June 22, the focus was on the Women's Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development Organization (WEEDO). Based in Dar es Salaam, WEEDO supports girls and young women on their way to an independent future. There are 26 young players who take part enthusiastically in touch rugby tournaments. Their passion and energy are palpable, making each match a memorable experience. By supporting WEEDO and encouraging the participation of young girls in rugby, OLEA Tanzania is contributing to the emancipation of women and their integration into sporting activities, often perceived as the preserve of men.

OLEA Tanzania's support for the DAR Leopards club and the WEEDO initiative is a tangible illustration of the positive impact companies can have on local communities. By investing in sport, OLEA is helping to build a stronger, more cohesive social fabric, while providing young people with role models and opportunities to develop. Through its values, rugby is a powerful vehicle for empowerment and personal development. OLEA Tanzania will continue to support these initiatives, true to its mission of ensuring a better future for all.

Olivier Dubois, OLEA Group Chairman

I'm delighted to bring you the latest news from OLEA, highlighting our initiatives.

Firstly, I attended the 50th annual conference of the African Insurance Organization (AIO) in Windhoek, Namibia, with Ayouba Seydou, our Placement and Reinsurance Director and Vincent de Charnacé, our CEO for East & Southern Africa. This event was an exceptional opportunity to strengthen our relationships and explore new strategic avenues on the continent.

I am particularly pleased to announce the appointment of Jeannie Cointre as Chairman of the Board of Directors of OLEA Senegal. Her remarkable career path has taken her from professional basketball to the management of a Senegalese company. In addition to this, she is involved in several boards of directors in France, Switzerland, North America and Africa, testament to her exceptional versatility. In addition, Jeannie is a shareholder in a Geneva-based financial services company and recently took over the reins of Tarbes Gespe Bigorre, becoming the fourth woman to lead a professional women's basketball league. This again marks her significant impact in the field of sport and business management.

Our team also participated enthusiastically in the Job Dating organised by the École Supérieure d'Assurances (ESA) in France, where we had the opportunity to meet promising young talent.

During our visit to Dubai in early May, Ayouba Seydou and I had fruitful discussions with our partners.

As if to reinforce the need for insurance, Dubai recently experienced a rare flood, resulting in significant insurable losses. Similar challenges are being faced in Africa, where floods are becoming increasingly frequent, potentially threatening insurability.

These facts highlight the importance of re-evaluating rates and risk management on a global scale. Adapting to changing climatic risks is therefore essential to guarantee sustainable protection.

Finally, my speech at the African Risk Management Meeting in Abidjan was an opportunity to discuss the crucial importance of insurance and reinsurance in a world marked by global economic shocks. The need for regional and continental solutions to strengthen our economies was at the heart of the debates.

Click here to see the video

These moments illustrate our commitment to innovation, the development of talent and our contribution to the evolution of the insurance sector in Africa.

Every individual and every business leader deserve to feel safe and supported, by having experts to guide them in the prevention of risk and assist them in the resolution of their claims.

That's why it's so important for us to provide our clients with professional, dynamic and ethical service from our team.

Our talents are our greatest source of pride. We recruit young professionals who have just completed their academic training, to more experienced and specialised professionals.

At OLEA, we believe in the power of our 3Ts: Talents, Territories and Technologies, to ensure the success of our insurance brokerage business.

Our ambition is to become the leading Pan-African insurance broker, hence our slogan « Be Africa, Choose OLEA ».

We believe that our proximity to local communities and understanding their unique specifics of each market. Our local presence enables us to build relationships based on trust. So, with a presence in 25 African countries and 13 partners, we are deeply rooted in the territories we serve. Whether you're a company based on the African continent or have operations in several countries, our extensive network is there to offer you solid support.

Our commitment to technological innovation stems from our firm belief that you deserve a smooth and efficient insurance experience. In this digital age, we strive to stay at the forefront of innovation to meet your evolving needs. Our fully digitalised management and reporting tools are designed for intuitive management of your insurance policies, allowing you to spend more time on what really matters to you. It's all just a few clicks away.

That's why our technical team is ready to customise our tools to meet your specific requirements and offer you solutions tailored to your unique circumstances and situation. We give you absolute peace of mind, protecting you against tomorrow's hazards as efficiently and effectively as possible. Contact us and live the OLEA experience. info@olea.africa

Olivier Dubois, Chairman, OLEA: "I am delighted to announce the launch of OLEA Impact, a new step in our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility(|CSR). OLEA Impact will bring together all the CSR initiatives of our 25 subsidiaries around three main pillars: Health, education and environment.

At OLEA, we firmly believe that our success goes hand in hand with a positive impact on the communities we serve. That's why we're committed to supporting social and environmental projects that make a real difference.  

In 2023, we took collective action with all our subsidiaries to mark Pink October, breast cancer awareness month. Some of our subsidiaries organised external events with our customers and partners to raise awareness and encourage them to take part in screening sessions. Others organised in-house sessions for our teams to raise awareness and pledged financial support to certain associations. A case in point is our Ghanaian subsidiary, which has renewed its commitment and support for the 5th year in the ‘JEAD Foundation’, an NGO which works to support rural women in need, so that they can overcome the challenges of breast cancer.

This year, our Moroccan subsidiary also joined forces with ’La Maison de l'Espoir’, to support children with cancer in Morocco.

At our annual conference in Marrakech in March 2024, we presented the OLEA Impact award to Ramatou Salifou, Managing Director of OLEA Niger, in recognition and respect of her ongoing contributions for CSR, both in her professional and personal life. Well done, Ramatou!

Stay tuned to find out how OLEA Impact is shaping a more ethical and sustainable future for all".

In a world where technology dominates almost every aspect of our professional and personal lives, cybersecurity has become a top priority for all businesses. As a Pan-African insurance broker, OLEA understands the importance of protecting data and IT systems from digital threats.

According to Bryan Rangapanaiken, Head of our IT Systems’ Security, OLEA, "Africa's growing reliance on digital technologies is having a major impact on the continent's businesses. Rapid advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have transformed the day-to-day operations of African businesses. However, this growing dependence also presents significant challenges. Interpol estimates that cybercrime costs Africa $4 billion a year."

Cybersecurity is a major issue for all businesses, but it is of particular importance in the insurance sector. On a daily basis, insurers deal with huge quantities of sensitive data - their customers' personal and financial information. This makes them a prime target for cybercriminals seeking exploitable information.

Ayouba Seydou, Group Placement and Reinsurance Director: "We are increasingly faced with headline-grabbing data breaches around the world, the loss of personal and corporate data with far-reaching consequences. The majority of articles concern the type of data loss that impacts people on a personal level: Credit card numbers, medical records, ID documents, birth dates, etc. We should also be aware of the impact of the loss of corporate data and information like intellectual property which, in the hands of a competitor or an extortionist, can seriously disadvantage the business."

Faced with these growing challenges, it's essential for businesses to take proactive steps to strengthen their cybersecurity. That's where cyber insurance comes in.

Cyber insurance ensures the continuity of a business, reducing the financial impact (loss of sales, costs and expenses, claims and assets) and operational impact (confidentiality, reliability and availability), as well as the impact on reputation and information systems.

There are two types of coverage:

Damage cover:

• Business interruption
• Costs incurred by the customer
• Protection of personal data
• Defence costs and sanctions in the event of an investigation
• Attempted cyber extortion

Civil liability coverage:

• Claims following a computer’s breach of confidentiality in terms of personal data
• Multimedia coverage

OLEA is committed to helping companies protect themselves against digital threats. We work closely with our customers to assess their risks, design tailor-made insurance programs and support them in implementing effective cybersecurity measures.

It was also the reason for OLEA’s participation as a sponsor in the Cyber Africa Forum on April 15 and 16, 2024. This premier event brings together Africa's leading cybersecurity experts to discuss the latest trends, challenges and best practices in this ever-evolving field. Our participation demonstrates our commitment to protecting African businesses from cyberattacks and our willingness to contribute to the advancement of cybersecurity on the continent.

Together, we can build a safer, more resilient digital future for all businesses in Africa. Protecting your business from cyber threats is a top priority and OLEA is here to accompany you on this journey. Contact us to find out how we can help you strengthen your digital security and protect the future of your business. info@olea.africa