Staff Writer
Victoria Falls: Dr Grace Muradzikwa has called for a decisive shift from regulatory formalities to tangible industry impact, as she delivered opening remarks at the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) 2026 symposium underway in Victoria Falls.
Speaking at the high-level gathering of regulators, policymakers and industry leaders, Dr Muradzikwa said the sector must prioritise value creation, fairness and trust to rebuild confidence in insurance and pensions.
Her remarks come as Parliament fast-tracked the passage of the IPEC Amendment Bill, which she said had already cleared both the National Assembly and Senate in record time.
“For those who follow proceedings in Parliament, you will be aware that the IPEC Amendment Bill just went through Parliament… Senate went through the first, second and third readings in hours, which is a record,” she said, expressing appreciation for the swift legislative progress.
Dr Muradzikwa said the symposium serves as a flagship platform convened by the Insurance and Pensions Commission to shape the future of the sector through dialogue and policy influence.
“This symposium has been deliberately designed as a high-level thought leadership platform, not just to discuss the present, but to shape the future of the insurance and pensions sector,” she said.
Held under the theme “Beyond Compliance: Delivering Value, Fairness, and Trust in the Insurance and Pensions Sector,” the event challenges stakeholders to rethink their roles, she added.
“This is not just a theme; it is a call to action — a call for regulators to regulate with purpose, for industry to innovate with integrity, and for all of us to rebuild and sustain confidence in the sector,” Dr Muradzikwa said.
Over the next three days, delegates are expected to tackle a range of emerging and structural issues affecting the industry. Discussions on the opening day focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data governance, sustainability and responsible investment.
Subsequent sessions will address financial inclusion as a growth frontier and the need to restore confidence in pension systems, before turning to core structural challenges such as capacity constraints, consumer protection and market conduct.
Dr Muradzikwa said the programme had been “carefully curated” to ensure practical outcomes, with speakers drawn from across the globe, including international experts, regional regulators and development partners.
Their participation, she said, would ensure “rich, practical and evidence-based” deliberations, while also strengthening collaboration between regulators, policymakers and industry players.
“We are expecting practical solutions to the challenges currently facing our industry. We are expecting stronger collaboration… and ultimately renewed confidence in the insurance and pensions sector,” she said.
Dr Muradzikwa emphasised that outcomes from the symposium should not remain theoretical, but must translate into “real reforms, real decisions and real impact” for policyholders and pension contributors.
The annual symposium comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s insurance and pensions sector is under pressure to modernise, improve governance and rebuild trust amid evolving risks and changing economic conditions.
