BMI Tanzania Insurance Report Q4 2016
BMI Tanzania Insurance Report Q4 2016
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TANZANIA
INSURANCE REPORT
INCLUDES 10-YEAR FORECASTS TO 2025
ISSN: 2055-4079
DISCLAIMER
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Tanzania Insurance Report Q4 2016
CONTENTS
SWOT .................................................................................................................................... 6
Insurance ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 51
Industry Forecast Methodology ................................................................................................................ 51
Risk/Reward Index Methodology ............................................................................................................... 54
Table: Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Table: Weighting of Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
BMI View: We have a positive long-term outlook for Tanzania's insurance sector. While small by regional
and global standards, both life and non-life insurance are expected to grow at double-digit rates throughout
the forecast period. The increasing uptake of insurance policies is driven by a number of factors, including
the distribution of products to households via mobile phones and other online services as well as the
growing availability of more affordable microinsurance products, targeting households in the lowest
income brackets. In response to these developments, increasingly more foreign insurers are attracted by
Tanzania's growing insurance market.
Gross life premiums written, TZSbn 56.40 60.40 68.30 77.50 87.80 99.80 112.70 127.50
Gross life premiums written, TZS, % y-o-y 29.2 7.1 13.0 13.5 13.3 13.7 12.9 13.1
Gross life premiums written, USDbn 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Gross life premiums written, USD, % y-o-y 26.8 4.1 -7.7 5.0 7.9 8.3 7.5 8.3
Gross non-life premiums written, TZSbn 417.70 466.40 563.60 672.90 792.90 924.70 1,068.60 1,224.80
Gross non-life premiums written, TZS, % y-o-y 15.1 11.7 20.8 19.4 17.8 16.6 15.6 14.6
Gross non-life premiums written, USDbn 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.40 0.40 0.50
Gross non-life premiums written, USD, % y-o- 12.9 8.5 -1.3 10.4 12.2 11.1 10.1 9.7
y
■ Due to currency movements and inflation, the expansion of Tanzania's insurance sector will be higher in
local currency terms than in USD terms throughout the forecast period. Total insurance premiums should
grow by 16.4% on average between 2016 and 2020, equating to 10.3% in USD terms.
■ With only 10% market share, life insurance in Tanzania is at the early stage of development. Market
penetration (0.1%) and density (USD0.6) are particularly low in the life segment. Over the next five
years, however, we are expecting life insurance to become more demanded as household disposable
incomes rise and customer awareness improves. Life premiums should grow from TZS77.5bn in 2016 to
TZS127.5 in 2020, at an average rate of 13.3%.
■ Tanzania's non-life insurance segment is considerably larger and developed. The market is expected to
grow at an average annual rate of 16.8% over the 2016-2020 period, from TZS672.9bn to TZS1,224.8bn.
This growth will be driven primarily by motor insurance.
SWOT
Insurance
SWOT Analysis
Strengths ■
Premiums are rising rapidly in both USD and TZS terms.
■
Significant demand for personal accident insurance over the forecast period.
■
The array of non-life insurers drives product innovation and price competitiveness
across the sector.
■
Despite its small scale, the non-life sector demonstrates strong diversification in
product lines, beyond basic motor and property cover.
■
Life sector growth, while from a very low base, will continue at high levels.
■
Strong government initiative and support to drive under-penetrated lines such as
health insurance.
Weaknesses ■
Even by regional standards, the life sector is small.
■
Life insurance is dominated by African Life (part of the Sanlam Group), and state-
owned NIC.
■
Limited competition within the life segment.
■
Lack of options for low-income rural workers and communities.
■
Lack of understanding and product knowledge pertaining to life insurance.
■
Small middle class means disposable income for discretionary insurance spending is
low.
Opportunities ■
Health insurance is set for rapid expansion.
■
New competitors in the life segment, like Metropolitan, could invigorate the sector
and drive product innovation.
■
Microinsurance products in health and life cover offer opportunities for insurers to
reach a far larger customer base.
■
Consolidation at the top of the non-life sector could reap huge benefits for insurers.
Threats ■
Levels of competition in non-life business may hinder the scope for profitability in
some lines.
■
With the exception of African Life, established life insurers also operate in the non-life
sector and may focus on this area for expansion, neglecting life products.
■
Poor access to healthcare and low life expectancy continue to limit demand for most
life products.
Industry Forecast
Life Premiums Forecast
BMI View: We have a positive long-term outlook for Tanzania's life insurance market. Life insurance
accounts only for 10% of total written premiums in the country, making it relatively small in comparison to
the non-life segment. Particularly widespread poverty, low life expectancy and consumer unawareness of
the benefits of life insurance should continue to put a lid on the development of life insurance over the next
five years.
Latest Updates
■ Premiums are forecast to grow by 13.5% in local currency terms in 2016, which in dollar terms reflects as
growth of 5.0% to a total of USD35mn.
Structural Trends
In a region dotted with underdeveloped insurance markets, particularly in life sectors, Tanzania's stands out
as a notably immature market. Life insurance density (per capita premiums are under USD1 in 2016) is just
one of the many measures demonstrating this weakness. There is, however, substantial long-term growth
potential in this large population of over 53mn. Most promising of all in a market with such low per capita
premiums and a large number of low-income households is the area of microinsurance. Across the region,
insurers are seizing up the rapid growth in mobile networks by partnering with rising telecoms players to
provide low-cost basic cover policies. Microinsurance cover offers limited short-term profitability, but the
potential for mass-market rollout and eventual product upsell makes it a lucrative long-run prospect.
150 40
30
100
20
50
10
0 0
2013 2014 2015e 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Gross life premiums written, TZSbn (LHS)
Gross life premiums written, TZS, % y-o-y (RHS)
In local currency terms, gross life premiums will continue to grow at a steady pace. This is exemplified in
our outlook for the gross life premiums, which we anticipate will increase by 13.5% in 2016, and to nearly
double the present amount by the end of our forecast period, from TZS77.5bn in 2016 to TZS127.5bn in
2020. In USD terms, we will see the growth of total gross premiums in the segment take shape from 2017
onwards, due to short-term currency fluctuations.
Average growth of around 8.0% from 2017 to 2020 will boost gross premiums to USD48mn by the end of
this period. This will, however, still only convert to a life density of USD0.8 per capita, suggesting that
significant scope remains for growth over the long term. To capture this growth potential, insurers will have
to establish products that look to cater for lower-income consumers, where previously they have targeted
wealthy individuals and group policies.
Although the Tanzanian economy is improving, there are still challenges in terms of widespread poverty
and limited average household income rates. While the country does have a growing middle class, the
majority of the population remains in the lower income brackets, limiting demand for life products. Another
hindrance is the relatively low life expectancy rate for both men and women which limits demand for
various retirement and later in life savings products.
Poor access to healthcare and the prevalence of diseases such as HIV/AIDS have impacted life expectancy
and while we are seeing improvements, the average life expectancy will remain under 70 years by the end
of the current forecast period. We do see some scope for life insurance growth by the end of our forecast
period as result of the recent introduction of compulsory health insurance by the government. Increased
uptake of the scheme will increase awareness as to life insurance offerings. Despite the impressive
employment rate, contributions from those employed in the informal, agriculture and other rural sectors will
be less likely, limiting its uptake.
75 700
650
50
600
25
550
0 500
2013 2014 2015e 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Life expectancy at birth, male, years (LHS)
Life expectancy at birth, female, years (LHS)
Population, 75+, total, '000 (RHS)
National Sources/BMI
There are some potential downside risks to our current forecasts for growth in Tanzania's nascent life
insurance sector. While at present we are forecasting healthy annual GDP growth over the medium term,
there is potential for these growth forecasts to be derailed. A major risk to our economic outlook comes
from the weather. Poor rains would not only exacerbate tight food supplies (food price inflation was the
major driver of rapidly rising headline inflation in 2011), but would also once again hamper hydroelectricity
production, raising costs for businesses and, by extension, consumers. Should economic growth rates
decline, we would look to revise our currently positive forecasts for growth in terms of life insurance
premiums written.
Gross life premiums written, TZSbn 56.40 60.40 68.30 77.50 87.80 99.80 112.70 127.50
Gross life premiums written, TZS, % y-o-y 29.2 7.1 13.0 13.5 13.3 13.7 12.9 13.1
Gross life premiums written, USDbn 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Gross life premiums written, USD, % y-o-y 26.8 4.1 -7.7 5.0 7.9 8.3 7.5 8.3
Gross life premiums written, % of GDP 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Gross life premiums written, % of gross premiums written 11.9 11.5 10.8 10.3 10.0 9.7 9.5 9.4
Life insurance claims fluctuated around financial turmoil from 2008-2009, but figures for 2012 and 2013
suggest that they have returned to a more stable and sustainable level of around 34% of gross premiums. For
a fast-growing life insurance sector, this is a level that will allow ongoing expansion and profits across the
sector. Preliminary data is not available for 2014, but BMI expects a loss ratio of around 30-35% to
persist. As a result, gross claims will surpass TZS20bn, equivalent to around USD13mn. Life insurance
claims of USD12mn in 2013 accounted for around 10% of all insurance claims paid across the life and non-
life sectors combined. Forecasting claims levels is fraught with difficulty and is not something that BMI
believes can be accurately anticipated. However, over the next five years, we expect claims ratios to remain
within the 30-40% band. As a result, by 2020, gross life claims will fall between USD20mn and USD25mn,
barring unforeseen shocks.
BMI View: Non-life insurance claims the majority of premiums written in the Tanzanian insurance market.
In comparison to the life segment, non-life insurance is relatively larger and more developed, as well as
more competitive, with a broader range of providers competing for market share. Over the next five years,
the segment should expand by roughly 16% annually, and will primarily be driven by motor, property and
health insurance lines. Additionally, the introduction of microinsurance products have been improving the
affordability and accessibility of non-life insurance, and this should continue to provide an uptick in
demand.
Latest Updates
■ The outlook for Tanzania's non-life insurance sector is positive. Premiums are currently expected to grow
by 19.4% in local currency terms in 2016, which in US dollar terms translates to growth of 10.4% to
USD305mn.
Structural Trends
The non-life sector is far more competitive than the life business, with a number of companies claiming
substantial shares of industry premiums. This has helped, and will continue to help, to drive innovation in
products. We anticipate competition to remain high, although there is certainly scope for major gains were
two of the market leaders to come together through either a merger or an acquisition. Competition does not,
as yet, appear to have had any significant impact on price levels and profitability should remain high. Long-
term growth potential is significant, growing as the non-life sector is from a very low base.
1,500 22.5
20
1,000
17.5
15
500
12.5
0 10
2013 2014 2015e 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Gross non-life premiums written, TZSbn (LHS)
Gross non-life premiums written, TZS, % y-o-y (RHS)
In terms of non-life premiums, our short-term outlook is that these will grow in 2016 by 19.4% to
TZS672.9bn, a fifteenth consecutive year of double-digit growth rates in local currency terms. We believe
this trend will be matched in the coming years throughout the forecast period, with expansion averaging
16.8% annually through to 2020, faster than the wider economy and a similar pace to the emerging life
insurance sector.
Currency changes have impacted our forecasts in dollar terms. In comparison to the 1.3% contraction
experienced in 2015, the non-life insurance market in Tanzania will experience growth of 10.4% in 2016 to
USD305mn. This equates to a rate of USD5.5 per capita. Over the latter end of the forecast period, growth
will remain high until 2020, averaging 10.8% per annum. By 2020, gross premiums will reach 460mn in
USD terms.
150
100
50
-50
-100
2013 2014 2015e 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Motor vehicle insurance, TZS, % y-o-y Property insurance, TZS, % y-o-y
Transport insurance, TZS, % y-o-y Health insurance, TZS, % y-o-y
Personal accident insurance, TZS, % y-o-y
As with the life insurance sector, the primary risk to our forecasts for growth in Tanzania's non-life
insurance sector stems from a potential economic downturn in the country where economic growth may be
hampered by ongoing policy uncertainty, particularly in the energy and mining sectors. While we expect
growth to return to trend from mid-2016 onwards, risks to the medium-term growth picture are increasingly
to the downside. Should current economic growth projections fail to materialise, we would look to revise
downwards our forecasts for growth in the non-life insurance sector.
Gross non-life premiums written, TZSbn 417.70 466.40 563.60 672.90 792.90 924.70 1,068.60 1,224.80
Gross non-life premiums written, TZS, % y-o-y 15.1 11.7 20.8 19.4 17.8 16.6 15.6 14.6
Gross non-life premiums written, USDbn 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.40 0.40 0.50
Gross non-life premiums written, USD, % y-o- 12.9 8.5 -1.3 10.4 12.2 11.1 10.1 9.7
y
Gross non-life premiums written, % of GDP 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7
Gross non-life premiums written, % of gross
premiums written 88.1 88.5 89.2 89.7 90.0 90.3 90.5 90.6
Non-life claims have grown substantially in recent years, and will continue to grow at around the same pace
as non-life premiums. Current gross loss ratios fluctuate between 40% and 60%, and it is towards the higher
end of this range that they are expected to tend towards the long term. The regulator does not produce a
breakdown of gross non-life claims by line of business; however, we believe that motor insurance
contributes a significant portion of these claims. Property and transport, by their nature, will exhibit claims
rates that are far more prone to fluctuation than other lines. The growth in health insurance over the next
five years will lead to higher gross loss ratios across the industry, increasing to over 50%, perhaps as high as
60% in the long run.
BMI View: Tanzania's relatively more developed non-life sector is set to grow at high double-digit rates
over the next five years. The segment is dominated by motor insurance, which currently accounts for 44% of
non-life premiums written. Due to rising household disposable income levels, property and health insurance
are also seeing increasing demand as they become more affordable.
Latest Updates
■ We are maintaining our forecasts for growth in local currency terms, while adjusting US dollar measured
forecasts to reflect ongoing currency movements. In 2016, motor insurance premiums are therefore
forecast to grow by 28.8% in local currency terms and 19.1% in US dollar terms.
■ A similar trend is expected in property insurance, where premiums are forecast to grow by 12.9% in local
currency terms while and grow by 4.4% in US dollar terms. In the health insurance sector, we expect
premiums to grow by 11.8% in local currency terms, reflecting growth of just 3.4% in US dollar terms.
Structural Trends
Motor insurance is the largest non-life line by a significant margin, accounting for approximately 44% of all
premiums in the sector. Health and personal accident insurance are two key lines in Tanzania and are
popular due to the lack of public health and disability benefits available in the country. These lines are
expected to show strong long-term growth as household incomes rates rise and as more affordable products
enter the marketplace. Across most non-life lines, the development of a wider range of products, including
affordable microinsurance products catering to low-income households, will support healthy and sustainable
growth beyond the current forecast period.
Motor vehicle insurance remains the largest non-life line in Tanzanian insurance, a status that will not be
overturned within the next decade. We expect to see premiums grow by 28.8% in local currency terms in
2016 to reach TZS297bn, while in US dollar terms currency movements mean we expect to see motor
insurance premiums expand by 19.1% to reach USD134.8mn. Motor insurance will account for around
44.1% of all non-life premiums written in Tanzania over the year.
The growth in the motor insurance line is matched by steady growth in the Tanzanian vehicle fleet forecasts
from BMI's Autos team. While vehicle fleet expansion is set to remain around 3%, this will involve a
number of new drivers and newer vehicles (with a strong recovery in new car sales expected from 2016
onwards), driving up average policy prices, despite improving road safety. This will allow gross motor
insurance premiums to grow more rapidly than the country's vehicle fleet size, despite competition across
the sector.
Motor Premiums
Motor Premiums (2013-2020)
750,000 40
35
500,000
30
25
250,000
20
0 15
2013 2014 2015e 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Motor vehicle insurance, TZSmn (LHS)
Motor vehicle insurance, TZS, % y-o-y (RHS)
We expect that motor vehicle insurance will reach USD240.8mn in 2020 as the market records average
annual growth of 15.6% between 2017 and 2020. In local currency terms, premiums are expected to
consistently record high double-digit annual growth rates to reach premiums of TZS641.6bn in 2020. As a
result, motor insurance will continue to account for a large share of the non-life market, writing around half
of all non-life premiums in Tanzania.
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
500,000
0
2013 2014 2015 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Vehicle fleet, units (LHS)
As one of the most developed lines in the Tanzanian non-life market, growth is likely to stabilise as the
market matures, but opportunities for expansion remain. Looking beyond the current forecast period, there
remains substantial scope for growth in motor insurance. This growth will be primarily dependent upon
wider economic growth and rising household incomes, increasing demand for new autos sales, which in turn
require higher insurance premiums. There is also potential to improve profitability by lowering claims and
operational costs.
Tanzania offers a low-cost transit destination for many goods heading to and from landlocked countries in
the region. The country's external sector, however, continues to suffer from a dearth of domestic productive
capacity. Despite possessing a relatively diversified export base, the performance of exports will be
hampered by weak global commodity prices and an uncompetitive agricultural sector. As a result, demand
for transport insurance is relatively low, with this line expected to write premiums of USD26.7mn in 2016.
Transport Premiums
100,000 100
75,000 50
50,000 0
25,000 -50
0 -100
2013 2014 2015e 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Transport insurance, TZSmn (LHS)
Transport insurance, TZS, % y-o-y (RHS)
Averaging growth rates of around 5.9% year-on-year (y-o-y) between 2017 and 2020, premiums in this line
will reach USD34.7mn by 2020, accounting for 7.5% of premiums written in Tanzania's non-life sector.
Transport premiums are principally captured by the marine insurance line, rather than aviation. Within this
sector, Jubilee's share of the sector declined significantly in 2013, accounting for 12% of premiums in the
line, half the company's share in 2012. Heritage and Alliance were the leading players in this area in 2013,
with around 20% of premiums each, but with most general insurers offering these products, competition is
healthy.
Property insurance, which currently accounts for around 17% of the non-life market in Tanzania, will
continue to show a positive upward trend, and we do see this reflected in our positive outlook for residential
and non-residential property development and sales. In the short term, the property insurance segment will
grow by 12.9% in local currency terms to TZS112.4bn (remaining relatively flat in US dollar terms at
USD51.0mn). As recent investments into the commercial and residential property lines take effect and the
government continues to address housing shortages, we will see this figure continue to grow.
Property Premiums
Property Premiums (2013-2020)
200,000 20
150,000 15
100,000 10
50,000 5
0 0
2013 2014 2015e 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Property insurance, TZSmn (LHS) Property insurance, TZS, % y-o-y (RHS)
A number of developments support our forecasts for growth in property insurance. For example, South
African firm Sanlam is looking to invest USD85mn in Tanzania's real estate sector, which reflects strong
investment patterns into the country, highlighting opportunities for new and existing players in the space in
terms of property insurance. We forecast that the property sub-sector will grow at around 7.7% annually
from 2017, growing to USD68.7mn by 2020. Given the high ceding ratios in Tanzanian insurance, and in
particular the property cover line, profits are not expected to be significant, even for the market leaders.
That said, claims levels are believed to be low in this sector and are likely to remain so, barring a major
natural event.
Health insurance is set to be Tanzanian insurance's great success story in the coming years. The government
is keen to encourage greater private health insurance coverage as public healthcare services in the country
are extremely limited. As more insurers provide a greater range of products and as medical care facilities
expand, we expect to see steady growth in health insurance premiums, starting with 11.8% growth in 2016
to TZS113.5bn (translating to growth in US dollar terms of 3.4% due to currency movements, with
premiums of USD51.5mn).
Health Premiums
200,000 30
25
150,000
20
100,000 15
10
50,000
5
0 0
2013 2014 2015e 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Health insurance, TZSmn (LHS) Health insurance, TZS, % y-o-y (RHS)
As Tanzanians begin to prioritise health insurance, we will see premiums rise to USD55.3mn by 2020 with
stronger growth in local currency terms leading to premiums of TZS147.4bn - around 12% of non-life
premiums written in the market. Furthermore, the low ceding ratio of less than 25% in 2013 is set to
continue, creating opportunities for profitability. The key beneficiaries of the growth in health insurance are
set to be Kenyan-owned AAR Health, a specialist health insurer currently writing over 50% of all health
premiums; Jubilee, a composite insurer whose broad customer base and expertise overseas creates great
opportunities to sell health cover on top of existing policies; and Strategis, also a pure health insurer with
fast-growing business in the sector.
In countries like Tanzania, where government-provided public welfare benefits such as disability payments,
medical care or income protection are limited (or indeed, non-existent), for those households that can afford
cover, personal accident insurance is a popular non-life line. This sub-sector has struggled in recent years in
Tanzania. However, in 2016 we expect premiums to show healthy growth of 21.3% to TZS57.9bn, which
due to currency movements translates to growth of 12.2% in US dollar terms to USD26.3mn.
150,000 150
100
100,000
50
0
50,000
-50
0 -100
2013 2014 2015e 2016f 2017f 2018f 2019f 2020f
Personal accident insurance, TZSmn (LHS)
Personal accident insurance, TZS, % y-o-y (RHS)
Strong double-digit growth rates are expected to be maintained throughout the remainder of the forecast
period, with annual average growth of 18.9% expected in local currency terms leading to premiums of
TZS115.6bn in 2020. This translates to premiums of USD43.4mn - or around 9.4% of all non-life premiums
written in Tanzania. One factor which supports rapid growth in personal accident insurance is the expansion
of affordable microinsurance products, which expands the reach of personal accident cover to low-income
households and more first-time users.
Motor vehicle 137,426.0 185,370.0 230,620.9 297,008.8 372,448.4 454,564.5 544,738.1 641,570.7
insurance, TZSmn
Motor vehicle
insurance, TZS, % y- 17.6 34.9 24.4 28.8 25.4 22.0 19.8 17.8
o-y
Motor vehicle
insurance, % of non- 32.9 39.7 40.9 44.1 47.0 49.2 51.0 52.4
life insurance
Property insurance, 82,836.0 85,725.0 99,580.3 112,439.3 126,821.3 143,766.4 161,960.6 183,012.9
TZSmn
Property insurance, 15.5 3.5 16.2 12.9 12.8 13.4 12.7 13.0
TZS, % y-o-y
Property insurance, % 19.8 18.4 17.7 16.7 16.0 15.5 15.2 14.9
of non-life insurance
Transport insurance, 59,124.0 33,245.0 52,984.8 58,889.7 65,574.9 73,588.3 82,237.3 92,368.9
TZSmn
Transport insurance, 81.0 -43.8 59.4 11.1 11.4 12.2 11.8 12.3
TZS, % y-o-y
Transport insurance,
% of non-life 14.2 7.1 9.4 8.8 8.3 8.0 7.7 7.5
insurance
Health and personal
accident insurance, 100,851.0 141,718.0 149,183.1 171,334.2 192,514.6 214,491.5 238,310.3 263,030.6
TZSmn
Health and personal
accident insurance, -19.8 40.5 5.3 14.8 12.4 11.4 11.1 10.4
TZS, % y-o-y
Health and personal
accident insurance, % 24.1 30.4 26.5 25.5 24.3 23.2 22.3 21.5
of non-life insurance
Other insurance, 37,437.0 20,308.0 31,219.2 33,256.9 35,563.9 38,329.2 41,313.9 44,810.2
TZSmn
Other insurance, TZS, 2.8 -45.8 53.7 6.5 6.9 7.8 7.8 8.5
% y-o-y
Other insurance, % of 9.0 4.4 5.5 4.9 4.5 4.1 3.9 3.7
non-life insurance
Sub-Saharan Africa is the lowest-scoring region in BMI's Insurance Risk/Reward Index, with an average
score of just 26.0, compared with a global average of 45.6. This is primarily due to the small size of the
region's markets with the exception of South Africa and the offshore financial hub of Mauritius. South
Africa, in particular, is a significant outlier accounting for almost 80% of insurance premiums written in
Sub-Saharan Africa. A number of the region's markets do, however, benefit from strong regulatory
practices, with Ghana, Kenya and Botswana the key examples of this.
The strength of South Africa's insurance sector compared with the region as a whole has allowed a number
of its domestic players to expand operations into other Sub-Saharan markets. Ultimately, our view is that
this expertise and increased competition will benefit both consumers and the wider industry over the coming
decades. This has yet to reach the markets of West and Central Africa which continue to face significant
challenges through a lack of consumer engagement and income.
The Insurance Risk/Reward Index takes into account objective measures of the current state and long-term
potential of both the non-life and the life segments. It also takes into account an assessment of the openness
of each segment to new entrants and economic conditions. Collectively, these measures enable an objective
assessment of the limits to potential returns across all countries and over a period of time. The scores also
incorporate an objective assessment of the risks to the realisation of returns. The risk assessment is based on
BMI's Country Risk Index. It embodies a subjective assessment of the impact of the regulatory regime on
the development and the competitive landscape of the insurance sector.
Insurance
Industry Industry Risk/
Industry Rewards Rewards Country Industry Country Reward
Rewards Non-Life Life Rewards Rewards Risk Risks Risks Score Rank
South Africa 70.00 65.00 75.00 54.77 63.91 65.00 63.07 63.84 63.89 1
Mauritius 38.75 32.50 45.00 61.45 47.83 60.00 67.98 64.79 52.92 2
Botswana 23.75 20.00 27.50 51.51 34.86 60.00 74.97 68.98 45.09 3
Namibia 32.50 27.50 37.50 42.41 36.46 40.00 53.09 47.85 39.88 4
Ghana 26.25 27.50 25.00 37.68 30.82 50.00 58.18 54.91 38.05 5
Kenya 31.25 37.50 25.00 31.00 31.15 45.00 43.92 44.35 35.11 6
Nigeria 20.00 22.50 17.50 41.47 28.59 25.00 47.76 38.65 31.61 7
Insurance
Industry Industry Risk/
Industry Rewards Rewards Country Industry Country Reward
Rewards Non-Life Life Rewards Rewards Risk Risks Risks Score Rank
Gabon 11.25 17.50 5.00 40.74 23.05 30.00 51.60 42.96 29.02 8
Uganda 13.75 15.00 12.50 30.58 20.48 40.00 43.29 41.97 26.93 9
Côte d'Ivoire 20.00 20.00 20.00 27.46 22.98 40.00 32.89 35.74 26.81 10
Malawi 11.25 12.50 10.00 32.65 19.81 40.00 45.09 43.05 26.78 11
Tanzania 13.75 20.00 7.50 27.04 19.07 40.00 47.35 44.41 26.67 12
Angola 12.50 17.50 7.50 34.05 21.12 40.00 35.60 37.36 25.99 13
Senegal 13.75 20.00 7.50 26.80 18.97 30.00 49.62 41.77 25.81 14
Zambia 10.00 12.50 7.50 40.66 22.26 15.00 42.97 31.78 25.12 15
Zimbabwe 27.50 30.00 25.00 25.08 26.53 20.00 10.47 14.28 22.86 16
Benin 8.75 10.00 7.50 23.45 14.63 30.00 44.61 38.77 21.87 17
Cameroon 12.50 17.50 7.50 22.75 16.60 30.00 33.41 32.05 21.23 18
Mali 7.50 10.00 5.00 27.97 15.69 20.00 42.09 33.25 20.96 19
Burkina Faso 7.50 7.50 7.50 26.11 14.94 30.00 34.91 32.95 20.34 20
Togo 11.25 12.50 10.00 24.66 16.61 20.00 32.53 27.52 19.89 21
Congo-
Brazzaville 8.75 15.00 2.50 22.57 14.28 20.00 40.97 32.58 19.77 22
Rwanda 5.00 7.50 2.50 32.37 15.95 10.00 38.92 27.35 19.37 23
Madagascar 5.00 5.00 5.00 26.87 13.75 10.00 36.97 26.18 17.48 24
Niger 6.25 7.50 5.00 25.99 14.15 15.00 29.45 23.67 17.00 25
Ethiopia 3.75 5.00 2.50 29.27 13.96 10.00 33.13 23.88 16.93 26
Burundi 6.25 7.50 5.00 24.63 13.60 20.00 27.72 24.63 16.91 27
Central African
Republic 3.75 5.00 2.50 24.38 12.00 20.00 21.67 21.00 14.70 28
Chad 3.75 5.00 2.50 23.94 11.82 20.00 16.55 17.93 13.66 29
Guinea 2.50 2.50 2.50 19.02 9.11 20.00 20.42 20.25 12.45 30
DRC 3.75 5.00 2.50 17.45 9.23 10.00 23.48 18.09 11.89 31
Market Overview
Life Market Overview
BMI View: Tanzania's life insurance market is at an early stage of development and is characterised by low
rates of penetration (premiums over GDP) and density (premiums per capita). Market competition is
consequently also limited. Low levels of household disposable income and limited awareness of the benefits
of life insurance among potential customers, have traditionally put a lid on the market's growth prospects.
Over the coming five years, however, we expect the market to become increasingly more attractive, as it
should grow consistently at double-digit rates. This may lead to new players entering the market in the
foreseeable future.
The Tanzanian life insurance sector exhibits the characteristics of an industry segment that is at a stage of
infancy and it is not currently primed for growth. The life insurance carriers have specifically tailored their
products for the wealthy elite and corporations as the lack of a sizeable middle class constrains discretionary
income spending. The life insurance products on offer by the two large corporations, having around 80% of
the market share, are surprisingly diverse and comprehensive. The primary forms of life insurance cover
available in Tanzania are term life insurance policies and endowment life insurance policies. Term life
insurance policies cover the policyholder and pay a lump-sum in the unforeseen event of death to the
beneficiary. Endowment life insurance policies, on the other hand, cover not only the risks arising from an
early death, but double up as a savings plan, where the policy holder can withdraw premium based savings
at any point in time in the form of a lump-sum. The endowment life insurance plan is arguably the most
popular one in Tanzania. Furthermore, the Tanzanian market also has a few other niche life insurance
products that establish a recurring income stream for the beneficiary of the deceased in the event of an
untimely death.
Among other kinds of life insurance policies, which may witness some growth eventually at a later stage as
the economy grows and the consumers become knowledgeable of the benefits of life insurance, are pensions
and savings plans targeted towards employers. Currently, only the National Insurance Corporation (NIC)
of Tanzania, the government-owned entity is championing this form of product offering. The two primary
pension offerings in Tanzania fall under the group endowments and annuities categories. Group
endowments are normally savings options where all premiums of the employees are pooled together and
invested at the insurers' discretion to yield a high rate of return. Annuities in Tanzania are characterised by
deferred annuity plans, sponsored by employers, where regular contributions are made for employees to
save and invest in their pension policies. They begin receiving their pensions at the age of retirement, and,
in the unforeseen event of death before retirement, the beneficiary of the deceased is normally given a
lump-sum based on his contributions into the scheme.
The Tanzanian life insurance market is characterised by two firms having approximately 80% of the market
share and the other three holding the remaining 21% of the share among them. All the insurers active in the
life segment would rank as very small companies in most of the markets that BMI surveys. In theory, the
market is open to foreign groups, in practice, it is an undeveloped market that is not yet primed for growth
and the environment is not one that is suitable to foreign entities. Furthermore, the strengths of the two
industry titans do indeed post another barrier to entry.
African Life (Sanlam), the largest life insurer in Tanzania, holds a market share of approximately 53% in
2013. The South African based company is a specialist life insurer and the only one in Tanzania. African
Life, having been founded in 2005 and currently being rebranded as Sanlam has made tremendous gains in
the market in terms of market shares and premiums underwritten. Given its life insurance expertise in East
Africa, the company has been able to offer a wide variety of products to a growing number of Tanzanians
who are able to afford various forms of life insurance.
NIC, the state insurance company, on the other hand has witnessed a relative decline since African Life
commenced operations. NIC held a life market share of 92% in 2003 and has now seen it dwindle to 26%.
Nevertheless, African Life's success has come at the expense of the state insurer that has been unable to
innovate and cultivate market growth opportunities.
The dynamics between NIC and African Life suggest that a regional African company has been able to
enter the Tanzanian life insurance market and successfully build a client base by offering new and unique
innovative products. Furthermore, African Life's success is testament to the fact that it has not cut into the
premiums of NIC but it has generated new demand for its premiums to gain the lion's share of the market.
Logically, the same holds true that NIC has been unable to strategically position itself to compete
aggressively with its new regional competitor. NIC troubles and inability to defend its market share may
stem from the fact that the company is geared towards specific clients and networks of the public sector.
Given the strong government backing of NIC, inertia may have lead to its relative decline in the life sector.
Nevertheless, NIC's comprehensive pension programmes geared towards enterprise clients just may be a
crucial factor in ensuring that the future success of the company. In absolute terms, NIC has witnessed a
constant rise in premiums since 2003 till 2013 with only four sporadic years of premium declines.
The smaller players in the Tanzanian life insurance market have a combined share of around 21% in 2013.
Alliance Life, the largest of the second tier companies, has a market share of 17% with 2013 premiums
around only USD6mn. Jubilee has premiums of around USD1.3mn with a market share if around 3.7% and,
ZIC, the smallest life insurer has a market share of under 0.5% with premiums under USD0.1mn. All three
of these insurers are local Tanzanian insurers with headquarters in Tanzania. Jubilee is the only regional
African company with operations outside of Tanzania. Alliance and Jubilee have both seen their premiums
and share of the market increase since 2007 onwards but ZIC is the only one that has witnessed a decline in
life premiums and market share.
The relative and absolute underdevelopment of the Tanzanian life insurance market is such that it is not a
lucrative opportunity for foreign players looking to enter the market. The only success story has been
African Life, building on the brand image and expertise of South African Sanlam that they have been able
to uniquely carve out a position that competes with domestic state-owned insurer NIC and has capitalized
on the gains resulting from growth.
Alliance and Jubilee are examples of smaller players who have competed rather successfully to increase
their respective shares of the market and to grow their premiums by competing with NIC and African Life.
The success of foreign African Life and domestic private insurers Alliance and Jubilee is not convincing
enough for BMI to form the opinion that further investments in the Tanzanian life market are lucrative
ones. We retain the opinion that this segment still requires enough time and macroeconomic growth to be
viable for foreign corporations to be able to profitably function in the market despite the modest success
achieved by African Life.
BMI View: Accounting for roughly 90% of total written insurance premiums in Tanzania, non-life
insurance is considerably larger and well-developed than the life segment. Higher market penetration and
density rates make this market relatively more attractive. The non-life segment is highly competitive, with
both domestic and regional firms rivalling for market share. This greater degree of market fragmentation
should lead to more consolidation in the near future.
The Tanzanian non-life insurance sector consists of a broad product offering, and over the course of the last
few years, an area of growth has been the health insurance segment of the non-life sector. The Tanzanian
government looks to make health insurance mandatory while raising awareness for the service. In 2016, less
than 20% of the population is covered by either public or private health insurance.
Volume growth for most lines of non-life insurance in Tanzania is positive and we anticipate this trend to
grow further as the market is forecast to grow significantly. At present, the main policies are motor vehicle
insurance, property insurance and personal accident insurance. Products available in the market include
aviation cover, building and contents, contractors, directors liability, employers liability, fire, goods in
transit, industrial, marine cargo, motor (and motor trade risks), public liability and workers compensation.
Most of the non-life insurance companies operating in Tanzania are small local insurers that cater
specifically to the national non-life demand. From the 24 non-life insurance companies operating in the
market, it is evident that the market is rather fragmented with no clear industry leader, unlike in the life
segment.
The non-life insurance companies of Tanzania are local Tanzanian companies or regional East African
companies but by international standards they are small. Some of them have the benefits of being composite
insurers but none of them possess a significantly large market share to impact the industry premiums as a
whole. There are four main non-life companies that hold a combined market share of 45%. All four of them
are local Tanzanian insurance companies with an almost exclusive focus on the non-life Tanzanian market.
Jubilee, the market leader with a non-life share of over 16.9% and 2014 premiums over USD47.9mn is a
Tanzanian firm specialising in health insurance and travel insurance. Heritage Insurance, with a market
share of over 8.8% and premiums over USD24.9mn is another local non-life insurer focusing largely on
enterprise insurance solutions catering towards the needs of businesses and corporations.
The market dynamics of the non-life insurers are such that it is evident that companies have emerged to
capitalize on the growth prospects being put on offer by the significant expansion in the non-life segment.
Jubilee had premiums of only TZS7bn in 2007 representing a non-life market share of 11%. Today it has
premiums over TZS79bn with a market share of 16.9%. Heritage and Alliance, the second and third largest
insurers by market share have followed a similar trajectory. Both firms had a rather small percentage of the
market in 2003 and have witnessed an almost astronomical growth in premiums. AAR Tanzania, an East
African company specialising in health insurance stands out in particular as it has cornered a market share
of around 8.8% in 2014 with premiums over USD39mn in 2014 despite commencing operations as late as
2007.
The non-life market is currently primed for growth and we estimate that each segment will witness a
lucrative premium expansion. Motor vehicle and health insurance categories will continue to be extremely
profitable and property and transport insurance segments will also post solid annual growth. BMI research
reveals that none of the new companies looking to capitalise on the non-life segment growth are large
Western insurers. Most companies happen to be local Tanzanian companies or subsidiaries of small,
regional East African insurers with expertise in neighbouring Kenya.
The high levels of diversification prevalent in the market at present suggest to us that significant gains could
be realised if two major insurers were to merge and join forces. Nevertheless, none of these seem
forthcoming and we do not anticipate that many have the financial cloud to pull off an acquisition. Also,
likely over the coming years, as the market begins to mature further and investors see the benefits, we
believe neighbouring South Africa and Kenyan insurers will attempt to purchase the local insurers of
Tanzania as a means of getting entry into the market. South African based Sanlam, the market leader in the
life segment, has already acquired a major stake in Niko and BMI believes that similar deals are likely over
the next decade given the fact that the non-life segment is inevitably posed to grow.
There have nevertheless been some underperformers in recent years. We point out specifically Heritage.
While the market has seen annual expansion, the company has seen its market share dwindle from 20% in
2007 to around 8.8% in 2014 yet it still remains the second largest insurer in the non-life segment. Phoenix
and NIC, the government-owned corporation, have also been significant underperformers in the non-life
segment having lost significant market shares on an annual basis. Between 2007 and 2014, Phoenix saw its
market share decline from 9.3% to 4.5% whereas NIC saw its share plummet from 8.8% to 3.8% in the
same period. We attribute this loss largely to the inability of these companies to innovate their product
offerings and to attract newer clients among the rising middle class, something that Jubilee and AAR have
done successfully.
We do not expect heavy foreign presence into the Tanzanian non-life insurance sector at present, despite
overwhelming growth prospects. Nevertheless, we anticipate that in the next decade, regional insurers from
neighbouring Kenya and South Africa will look to expand into Tanzania by means of mergers and
acquisitions or joint ventures as they look to expand beyond their home turf and into neighbouring markets.
Company Profile
African Life
SWOT Analysis
Strengths ■
African Life has, since 2010, been the largest life insurer in Tanzania.
■
Between just 2007 and 2012, African Life's share of the Tanzanian market has grown
from 20% to over 53% in 2013.
■
Gross premiums in the life insurance market are double that of the next largest
insurer, equalling USD18mn in 2014.
■
The support of the international Sanlam Group gives African Life an advantage
against many of its life sector competitors.
■
Awarded first prize for four consecutive years (2010-2013) as Tanzania's best insurer.
Weaknesses ■
While dominating the sector, African Life is a small player by almost any standards,
with gross premiums estimated at around USD16mn in 2013.
■
Poor capitalisation leaves some susceptibility to financial market shocks.
Opportunities ■
Tanzania's economic growth will continue to expand the customer pool for African
Life to target.
■
Growth in the life sector is set to average around 8% over the coming five years;
much of this new business will be taken by African Life.
■
The company commands a heavy presence in rapidly expanding markets such as
Kenya, Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania.
Threats ■
As part of the Sanlam Group, African Life has little or no prospect of expanding
overseas, limiting growth opportunities.
■
Other life insurers operate non-life business, allowing them to sell life business to
existing non-life customers, an option not available to African Life.
Company Overview African Life was founded in 2005 as Tanzania's first specialist life insurer, and has since
become the country's largest life insurer, writing USD13.9mn in gross premiums in
2012, over 50% of the total life sector. African Life is part of the South African-based
Sanlam Group.
Strategy The company is in the process of rebranding itself under a new name as it transitions
itself under its new heading, Sanlam Life Insurance Company of Tanzania. The
company hopes to capitalise on the strong brand name of Sanlam in Tanzania and East
Africa as a whole. The company looks to improve its strategic positioning in the life
market in Tanzania by offering innovative new products to both personal clients and to
group businesses.
African Life Insurance is a consolidation of Sanlam's entry level insurance option which
seeks to primarily cater for those who have previously not been able to acquire
insurance. As such, the company strives to make life assurance more accessible and
affordable to the majority of people in Tanzania.
Alliance
SWOT Analysis
Strengths ■
Alliance's non-life business writes a diverse range of products, offering the
opportunity to cross-sell to an existing customer base.
■
Alliance Life has steadily increased its market share while more than doubling
premium volume between 2007 and 2012.
■
Combined gross premiums for the group grew by 20% in 2013, with life business
expanding by over 50%.
■
The same reports show growth of 18% in Alliance's general business.
■
Assets have grown strongly in the past three years and the fiscal position of the
company is such that it can withstand an external shock.
■
Comprehensive corporate and personal insurance offerings.
Weaknesses ■
In a highly diversified non-life sector, there is little to differentiate Alliance from its
competitors.
■
Alliance's life sector business was worth less than USD4mn in 2012, small by any
standards.
■
Local brand with limited presence across the rest of Africa.
Opportunities ■
Alliance's general business may be able to build on existing corporate clients as the
market for property insurance expands.
■
Growth in the marine line of business should benefit Alliance as it leads the sector
with over 20% of premiums in the line.
■
Continued product innovation, particularly into cheaper offerings, gives Alliance
opportunities among lower-income consumers in the non-life sector.
■
Has twice won the Superbrand East Africa award, in 2012-2014 and 2015-2016,
suggesting that the company is improving its branding and identity in East Africa.
Threats ■
The strength of African Life as a dedicated life insurer will likely reduce opportunities
for new business among other life insurers.
■
Alliance Life's focus on group policies over individual leaves little opportunity for
expansion into a new, lower-income clientele.
Company Overview Alliance is one of Tanzania's four insurers operating in both life and non-life lines of
business. Its life business is the third largest in the sector and non-life operations are
the fourth largest in the general insurance segment.
The company offers a broad range of non-life products covering fire, marine, motor,
business interruption, goods in transit, workmen compensation, professional indemnity
and engineering risks on both a group and individual basis. Alliance also provides
composite non-life products for corporate customers called Corporate Plus, Asset All
Risk, Material Damage and Fire Policy as well as group motor cover.
■ 7th floor
Exim Tower
Ghana Avenue
Dar Es Salaam
PO Box 9942
Tanzania
■ [Link]
Heritage
SWOT Analysis
Strengths ■
Heritage is long-established in the Tanzanian market and has developed a brand to
match this history.
■
Heritage has grown every year bar one since 2003. Preliminary reports suggest this
continued in 2013, with growth of 18% in gross premiums, above the market average.
■
An extensively wide variety of corporate non-life insurance policies that cater to
virtually all types of business related insurance requirements.
Weaknesses ■
Heritage's focus on corporate business may limit growth in certain non-life lines, such
as motor and health.
■
With approximately 50% of premiums concentrated in industrial property lines, ceding
ratios are high at around 70%, greatly limiting potential profits.
■
Profit margins have been slim in recent years.
■
Heritage's market share has declined significantly in recent years from a market-
leading 20% in 2007 to just 8.8% in 2014.
■
Gross premiums declined in 2014 to USD24.6mn, bringing them in line with 2012
figures.
Opportunities ■
Heritage's relations with a number of large corporate clients put the company in prime
position to target growing health premiums.
■
Personal accident insurance is also set to grow quickly and is already Heritage's most
profitable line.
■
A continuation of Heritage's expansion of individual-focused products will reach an
ever greater number of consumers and allow the company to capture a greater
market share.
Threats ■
The surge of Jubilee in recent years looks set to continue, while AAR and Alliance
(Tanzania's third- and fourth-largest insurers) are also targeting Heritage's market
share.
■
Heritage's parent company in Kenya is far larger and is liable to neglect Tanzanian
business.
■
Currency movements are undermining growth in USD terms.
Company Overview Heritage is Tanzania's second-largest insurer by premiums written. Operating solely in
the non-life sector, the company was founded in 1998 and in 2013 wrote premiums of
TZS43.26bn. Heritage is a subsidiary of Kenya's Heritage Insurance Company, which
owns 60% of the business while MAC Group Limited has a 40% share. Heritage
Insurance Company is in turn owned by South Africa based Liberty.
The company won awards for corporate leadership in 2014, suggesting that the recent
decline in market share may have been halted. Heritage has explicitly sought to attract
new customers through innovation and the anticipation of customer needs. One such
example is a partnership with Vodacom to deliver low-cost funeral cover, regulated in
some other markets as life insurance, reaching a broad customer base and expanding
the company's brand presence. There have also been moves towards selling more
products to individuals than to business or through group schemes, which will increase
the potential for growth.
Strategy Heritage Life Insurance company has strategically positioned itself for competing in the
non-life market by offering a very unique and diversified portfolio of offerings, targeting
many niche markets. The company offers risk cover tailor made for corporations and all
types of assets including machinery breakdown, construction and building insurance
and hotel liability.
Financial Data Liberty's Group (Parent Company) Financial Results For 2015 Include:
■ Liberty Africa Insurance had normalised operating earnings of ZAR25mn, down from
ZAR59mn in 2015.
■ New business value of ZAR654mn in 2015, down from ZAR793mn in 2014. 56% of
new business came from South Africa (an 82% growth), compared to 44% from East
Africa (a 56% growth).
■ Gross sales of ZAR25,622mn, up from ZAR25,216mn in 2014.
■ Net cash flow of ZAR8,454mn compared to a loss of ZAR7,321mn in 2014.
In Tanzania:
Jubilee
SWOT Analysis
Strengths ■
Growth has been exceptional, at over 10% each year since 2003 and over 20%
annually from 2009 to 2012.
■
Jubilee is now by far the largest non-life insurer in Tanzania, writing almost 18% of
premiums in a highly diversified sector.
■
Non-life insurance premiums grew almost 19% between 2013-2014 reaching
USD47.9mn.
■
A strong brand has enabled Jubilee to become a market leader across East Africa.
■
Jubilee's diverse insurance offering portfolio has allowed it to cater to both
mainstream and niche demands.
Weaknesses ■
Jubilee's life business has generally exhibited far more disappointing growth, failing to
leverage the strength of its brand.
■
Life premiums of under USD2mn make the life business insubstantial, even by
Tanzanian standards.
Opportunities ■
A partnership with Vodacom to boost access to health insurance will help Jubilee to
capture much of the growth in this product line.
■
As a member of the Jubilee Group, one of East Africa's leading insurers, Jubilee
Tanzania can expect to remain at the forefront of product innovation.
■
Modest growth in life insurance sector as life premiums grew to TZS3.13bn in 2013,
up 8.7%.
■
Exploring opportunities in bancassurance channels in East Africa and is offering its
insurance products through Imperial Bank channels in Kenya as of September 2015.
■
Jubilee has ambitions to extend its distribution network and grow its client base
ninefold in the next five years.
Threats ■
Jubilee's life business risks being increasingly neglected as more lucrative non-life
lines deliver short-term gains.
■
Tanzania's volatile stock market remains a challenge to insurance companies.
Company Overview Jubilee is Tanzania's largest non-life insurer. Jubilee resumed operations in Tanzania in
1998, but it was almost a decade before growth really took off. Jubilee also operates a
far smaller life business. Jubilee is part of the wider Jubilee Group headquartered in
Kenya.
Jubilee leads the Tanzanian market in engineering, motor and personal accident lines of
non-life business. It is also a major player in health insurance, an area that is expected
to grow significantly. Existing business in personal accident lines present strong
opportunities for the company to sell additional products in the health line.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths ■
State ownership provides a financial backing unlike anything available to its
competitors. NIC operates branches across the country, with a greater reach than its
competitors.
■
Has an active and robust network of agents and brokers distributed throughout the
country that specialise in life and non-life products.
Weaknesses ■
NIC's share of the Tanzanian life insurance market declined in 2013 from 28.7% to
26%.
■
NIC's position in the non-life sector has also witnessed decline falling from 4.1% to
3.8% between 2014 and 2013.
■
Anticipated life business growth of 16% in 2013 in TZS terms is below the sector
average.
■
While state-backing has benefits, NIC suffers from brand weakness that will be
almost impossible to resolve.
■
High management expenses in 2013 have resulted in an underwriting loss in non-life
business.
■
Product offerings are not as innovative and dynamic as life and non-life competitors.
Opportunities ■
With complete national scope, NIC is well positioned to target the lowest-income
consumers if it chooses to focus on low-cost products.
■
Financial soundness and decades of operations make NIC the most stable insurer in
Tanzania.
■
Non-life business has returned to growth since 2009.
Threats ■
NIC risks being left behind by product innovation from competitors.
■
With a weak brand and little penetration into a new customer base, it will be difficult
for NIC to arrest its decline in the non-life sector.
■
Insurers in Tanzania face risk from the country's volatile stock market; NIC is equally
as exposed to this risk.
Company Overview NIC was incorporated in 1963 and was long the only licensed insurer in Tanzania. While
it has now faced competition for the best part of two decades, it remains the second
largest life insurer and among the top 10 non-life insurers. It remains fully state-owned.
Life insurance products provided include whole life insurance, term life insurance,
endowments life insurance, credit life insurance, various pension and education savings
plans and group products including gratuity payments upon completion of contracts.
Outside motor insurance and the small aviation sector, NIC's non-life business does not
have any standout performance areas. It is almost or completely absent from property,
marine and aviation lines of business, likely to provide some of the strongest growth in
the industry over the coming years. It does provide workers compensation insurance,
domestic servants and general/professional liability products as well as more
specialised cover such as sporting gun protection.
The company has launched two initiatives to improve operational efficiency. The first,
prompted by revenue below expectations in 2014, seeks to boost NIC's ability to collect
premiums and takes the form of an arrangement with National Microfinance Bank. NIC
state that through this partnership, premiums can be taken directly from the
policyholder's bank account, allowing both parties to simplify the premium-paying
process.
NIC's second efficiency move seeks to accelerate the payment of claims through the
national ICT Backbone, allowing NIC to verify claimants' information and process the
payment of benefits more easily.
Company Details ■ National Insurance Corporation (T) Limited Samora AvenueNIC HouseDar es Salaam
■ P. O. BOX 9264
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
■ Email: info-nic@[Link]
■ Website: [Link]
Methodology
Industry Forecast Methodology
BMI's industry forecasts are generated using the best-practice techniques of time-series modelling and
causal/econometric modelling. The precise form of model we use varies from industry to industry, in each
case being determined, as per standard practice, by the prevailing features of the industry data being
examined.
Common to our analysis of every industry, is the use of vector autoregressions. Vector autoregressions
allow us to forecast a variable using more than the variable's own history as explanatory information. For
example, when forecasting oil prices, we can include information about oil consumption, supply and
capacity.
When forecasting for some of our industry sub-component variables, however, using a variable's own
history is often the most desirable method of analysis. Such single-variable analysis is called univariate
modelling. We use the most common and versatile form of univariate models: the autoregressive moving
average model (ARMA).
In some cases, ARMA techniques are inappropriate because there is insufficient historic data or data quality
is poor. In such cases, we use either traditional decomposition methods or smoothing methods as a basis for
analysis and forecasting.
BMI mainly uses OLS estimators and, in order to avoid relying on subjective views and encourage the use
of objective views, BMI uses a 'general-to-specific' method. BMI mainly uses a linear model, but simple
non-linear models, such as the log-linear model, are used when necessary. During periods of 'industry
shock', for example poor weather conditions impeding agricultural output, dummy variables are used to
determine the level of impact.
Effective forecasting depends on appropriately selected regression models. BMI selects the best model
according to various different criteria and tests, including but not exclusive to:
■ Hypothesis testing to ensure coefficients are significant (normally t-test and/or P-value); and
■ All results are assessed to alleviate issues related to auto-correlation and multi-co linearity.
Sector-Specific Methodology
BMI's insurance reports provide detailed insight into insurance markets globally, examining both the
present conditions in and prospects for each market. Incorporating the most up-to-date information available
from sources such as industry regulators, trade associations, comparable information from other countries
and BMI's own economic and risk data, our analysts provide a comprehensive picture of the insurance
sector. The principal focus of the reports is on gross written premiums, to which 'premiums' refers unless
otherwise stated.
■ BMI considers health insurance to be included in the non-life sector. As such, in instances where sources
report health insurance as part of the life sector, the required adjustments are made to conform to our
standardised definitions.
■ Where a market contains a significant inward reinsurance sector, these accepted premiums are considered
as part of the non-life sector and are classed within the 'Other' category of our non-life breakdown.
■ Life insurance contains all long-term savings products that are legally structured as insurance products
and therefore do not contain pension plan contributions and other long-term saving schemes that are not
legally constituted as being within the insurance sector
Life
Non-Life
In projecting non-life insurance premiums on a line-by-line basis, the following are considered:
When forecasting the size of reinsurance markets, the following are considered:
Where applicable, 'net premiums' refers to net written premiums and is considered as gross written
premiums, less the cost of reinsurance. In some instances, source data is reported according to different
definitions of 'net premiums'. In these cases, this data is used and forecasts for net premiums and
reinsurance are made separately.
When forecasting net premiums independently of the reinsurance market, the following are considered:
At a general level we approach our forecasting from both a micro and macro perspective, taking into
account the expansion plans of relevant domestic and international firms, as well as wider economic
outlook. In this regard, BMI macro variable projections, such as output, consumption, investment, policy,
and GDP growth are employed.
Burden of Disease
The 'burden of disease' in a country is forecasted in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) using BMI's
Burden of Disease Database, which is based on the World Health Organization's burden of disease
projections and incorporates World Bank and IMF data.
BMI's Risk/Reward Index (RRI) provides a comparative regional ranking system evaluating the ease of
doing business and the industry-specific opportunities and limitations for potential investors in a given
market.
Rewards: Evaluation of sector's size and growth potential in each state, and also broader industry/state
characteristics that may inhibit its development. This is further broken down into two sub categories:
■ Industry Rewards (this is an industry specific category taking into account current industry size and
growth forecasts, the openness of market to new entrants and foreign investors, to provide an overall
score for potential returns for investors).
• Industry Rewards (this is a country specific category, and the score factors in favourable political and
economic conditions for the industry).
Risks: Evaluation of industry-specific dangers and those emanating from the state's political/economic
profile that call into question the likelihood of anticipated returns being realised over the assessed time
period. This is further broken down into two sub categories:
■ Industry Risks (this is an industry specific category whose score covers potential operational risks to
investors, regulatory issues inhibiting the industry, and the relative maturity of a market).
■ Industry Risks (this is a country specific category in which political and economic instability,
unfavourable legislation and a poor overall business environment are evaluated to provide an overall
score).
We take a weighted average, combining market and country risks, or market and country rewards. These
two results in turn provide an overall risk/reward rating, which is used to create our regional ranking system
for the risks and rewards of involvement in a specific industry in a particular country.
For each category and sub-category, each state is scored out of 100 (100 being the best), with the overall
risk/reward index a weighted average of the total score. Importantly, as most of the countries and territories
evaluated are considered by BMI to be 'emerging markets', our rating is revised on a quarterly basis. This
ensures that the rating draws on the latest information and data across our broad range of sources, and the
expertise of our analysts.
BMI's approach in assessing the risk/reward balance for infrastructure industry investors globally is
fourfold:
■ First, we identify factors (in terms of current industry/country trends and forecast industry/country
growth) that represent opportunities to would-be investors.
■ Second, we identify country and industry-specific traits that pose or could pose operational risks to
would-be investors.
■ Third, we attempt, where possible, to identify objective indicators that may serve as proxies for issues/
trends to avoid subjectivity.
■ Finally, we use BMI's proprietary Country Risk Ratings (CRR) in a nuanced manner to ensure that only
the aspects most relevant to the infrastructure industry are incorporated. Overall, the system offers an
industry-leading, comparative insight into the opportunities/risks for companies across the globe.
Sector-Specific Methodology
In constructing these ratings, the following indicators have been used. Almost all indicators are objectively
based.
Table: Indicators
Rewards
Insurance market rewards Rationale
Non-life premiums, 2015 (USDmn) Indicates overall sector attractiveness. Large markets more attractive than small
ones.
Growth in non-life premiums, five Indicates growth potential. The greater the likely absolute growth in premiums the
years to end-2019 (USDmn) better.
Non-life penetration, % Premiums expressed as % of GDP. An indicator of actual and (to an extent)
potential development of non-life insurance. The greater the penetration the
better.
Non-life segment measure of Measure of market's accessibility to new entrants. The higher the score the better.
openness
Life premiums, 2015 (USDmn) Indicates overall sector attractiveness. Large markets more attractive than small
ones.
Growth in life premiums, five years to Indicates growth potential. The greater the likely absolute growth in premiums the
end-2019 (USDmn) better.
Life penetration, % Premiums as % of GDP. An indicator of actual and (to a certain extent) potential
development of life insurance. The greater the penetration the better.
Life segment measure of openness Measure of market's accessibility to new entrants. The higher the score the better.
Country rewards
GDP per capita (USD) A proxy for wealth. High-income states receive better scores than low-income
states.
Active population Those aged 16-64 in each state, as a % of total population. A high proportion
suggests that market is comparatively more attractive.
Corporate tax A measure of the general fiscal drag on profits.
GDP volatility Standard deviation of growth over 7-year economic cycle. A proxy for economic
stability.
Financial infrastructure Measure of financial sector's development, a crucial structural characteristic given
the insurance industry's reliance on risk calculation.
Risks
Regulatory framework
Regulatory framework and Subjectively evaluates de facto/de jure regulations on development of insurance
development sector.
Regulatory framework and Subjectively evaluates impact of regulatory environment on the competitive
competitive landscape landscape.
Country risk (from BMI's Country Risk Ratings)
Long-term financial risk Evaluates currency volatility.
Indicators - Continued
Rewards
Long-term external risk State's vulnerability to externally induced economic shock, which tend to be
principal triggers of economic crises.
Policy continuity Evaluates the risk of sharp change in broad direction of government policy.
Legal framework Strength of legal institutions. Security of investment key risk in some emerging
markets.
Bureaucracy Denotes ease of conducting business in a state.
Source: BMI
Weighting
Given the number of indicators/datasets used, it would be inappropriate to give all sub-components equal
weight. Consequently, the following weighting has been adopted:
Component Weighting, %
Rewards 70, of which
- Industry rewards 65
- Country rewards 35
Risks 30, of which
- Industry risks 40
- Country risks 60
Source: BMI