THE Insurance Institute of Zimbabwe (IIZ) is widening its regional footprint as demand for skilled insurance professionals grows across Africa, with examination centres now operating in several neighbouring countries.
This expansion, the Institute noted, reflects rising demand for qualified practitioners as the insurance sector evolves in response to technological disruption, emerging risks and shifting consumer expectations.
“With over 500 members across industries in Africa and the diaspora, our community of professionals continues to grow in influence and impact,” IIZ president Clementine Chinyuku said while speaking at the IIZ graduation ceremony in Harare on Friday.
“Our ambition is clear: to position the Insurance Institute of Zimbabwe as Africa’s centre of excellence in insurance, advisory services, and assurance powered by technology, innovation, and professional integrity.”
According to Chinyuku, IIZ now operates five accredited examination centres in Zimbabwe — Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Mutare — as well as regional centres in Botswana, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho and Angola.
She urged graduates to continue progressing through the institute’s professional qualification pathway.
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“For many of you, today’s milestone represents the Certificate of Proficiency in Insurance (COP). But let me be clear: COP is not the destination — it is the foundation. Your journey as a professional should not end here,” Chinyuku said.
Grace Muradzikwa, commissioner at the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC), who was the guest speaker, said the institute was playing a critical role in strengthening the professional base of the insurance sector.
“I am advised that more than 1 100 candidates sat for the Institute’s examinations, with approximately 75% successfully completing the programme,” she said in a speech delivered on her behalf by IPEC insurance manager for prudential supervision Mary Takavarasha.
“In a world where many begin journeys but few complete them, that statistic alone speaks volumes about the dedication of the professionals we celebrate today.”
Muradzikwa said the milestone reflected not only the determination of the graduates but also the support of families, mentors and employers who had accompanied them along the way.
She added that the institute’s professional training programmes had become an important pathway for developing competent insurance practitioners.
“The Insurance Institute of Zimbabwe continues to play a central role in building the professional backbone of the insurance industry. Its qualifications, structured across multiple levels of professional development, have become an important pathway for nurturing competent practitioners who serve both the local market and the wider region,” Muradzikwa said.
The institute has also strengthened its training programmes through partnerships with universities including the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Midlands State University and Great Zimbabwe University.
Muradzikwa said such collaborations helped ensure professional training remained aligned with global standards.
“The insurance industry is undergoing profound transformation driven by technology, evolving consumer expectations, and emerging risks. The professionals who will thrive in this environment are those who continue to learn, adapt, and lead with integrity,” she said.
IIZ academic chairperson Cuthbert Masukume said the institute’s qualifications were increasingly attracting professionals as demand for insurance expertise grows both locally and internationally.
“These qualifications continue to grow in stature and relevance, attracting an expanding pool of professionals each year. This growth reflects a broader industry reality: the demand for skilled insurance professionals is rising across Zimbabwe, the African continent, and globally,” Masukume said.
Conferring fellowship status upon the graduates, Noble Malunguza, chairperson of the Insurance and Actuarial Science Department at National University of Science and Technology (NUST), said the distinction represented the highest professional recognition within the institute.
“Fellowship represents the highest expression of professional excellence within our Institute — a mark of mastery, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of the insurance profession,” Malunguza said.
“To our new fellows: I charge you to lead with integrity, mentor the next generation, and shape thought leadership that strengthens our industry.”