Samb’a Assurances Gabon, the first microinsurance company in Central Africa licensed by the Inter-African Conference on Insurance Markets (CIMA), plans to establish a subsidiary dedicated to microinsurance in Cameroon in 2026.

The announcement was made on Friday, October 31, 2025, by Dr. Andrew Crépin Gwodog, founder and CEO of Samb’a Finances Holding, during a meeting in Gabon with a delegation from the Cameroonian microfinance institution Financial House, led by its managing director, Yves Armand Teutio.

The two executives discussed the creation of Samb’a Assurances Cameroun S.A. and the exclusive distribution of Samb’a’s products in Cameroon through Financial House. This partnership model mirrors the one Samb’a has successfully implemented in Gabon with several microfinance institutions. Financial House Cameroun, a category 2 microfinance institution established in 2002 and operational since June 2004, will serve as the company’s main distribution channel.

Expansion across the ECCAS region

This move marks a major step in Samb’a’s regional expansion. Cameroon will be the first country where the company sets up operations outside Gabon. Samb’a began its activities in September 2024 and announced in June 2025 its plans to expand into two additional countries: Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In the DRC, Samb’a also plans to work with microfinance institutions. Discussions have already begun with the Financial Inclusion Fund (FPM) to explore a partnership that could involve both equity participation and technical assistance. This strategy allows the company to rely on existing networks to reach its target customers efficiently.

Samb’a is also preparing for a financial market operation. The company plans to list on the Central African Stock Exchange (BVMAC) through a public offering. The goal is twofold: to strengthen its equity base and support its growth and innovation capacity.

Officially launched in September 2024, Samb’a Assurances Gabon targets low-income populations with affordable, digitalized insurance products. The microinsurance segment remains largely undeveloped in Central Africa, where most insurers focus on clients capable of paying high premiums. For 2025, Samb’a aims to reach a turnover of CFA500 million (about $875,000) and a net profit of CFA50 million.

The insurance market in Cameroon

Cameroon’s insurance market presents strong growth potential. As of June 30, 2024, total sector revenue reached CFA155.82 billion, according to data published in December 2024 by the Association of Insurance Companies of Cameroon (ASAC). This represents an annual increase of 5.66%.

The non-life branch, which includes auto, home, health, and other coverage, generated CFA108.29 billion in revenue—up 4.52% year-on-year. The life and capitalization branch, covering life insurance and savings products, reached CFA47.54 billion, up 8.37% over the same period.

Through its upcoming subsidiary, Samb’a Assurances seeks to tap into this expanding market, offering inclusive insurance solutions designed to strengthen financial protection and access for low-income households while promoting regional integration within the ECCAS area.