The Gabonese group Samb’a Finances Holding submitted an application on 4 September 2026 to the insurance directorate of Cameroon’s Ministry of Finance, seeking approval to launch operations of its subsidiary Samb’a Assurances Cameroun S.A., which will focus on micro-insurance.
Incorporated on 21 May 2026 in Douala, the subsidiary has a share capital of 615 million FCFA held by 59 shareholders. Andrew Gwodog, the group’s founder, serves as chairman, while Barthélemy Zoua holds the position of managing director. Abel Blaise Ezo’o Engolo acts as an independent director.
Samb’a Assurances Cameroun aims to become the country’s first company entirely dedicated to micro-insurance, a non-life insurance segment designed for low-income populations. Monthly premiums will start at 3,500 FCFA.
To reach its target customers, the subsidiary plans to distribute its products through Mobile Money, microfinance institutions — with Financial House named 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 press reports. Micro-insurance is not entirely new in the country: Activa Assurances launched a product as early as 2015, followed by AXA, which received authorisation in 2016. However, the sector has struggled to achieve significant scale, 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 Cameroonian expansion.