Breaking the glass ceiling:Chinyuku and Patsika Excell in Nairobi’s Angaza Awards
Staff writer
EMERITUS Re, Head of Reassurance at Emeritus Reinsurance, Clementine Chinyuku, and Managing Director at Zibuko Capital, Nonceba Patsika, have been recognised by Nairobi’s Angaza Awards as women to watch in Africa’s financial services sector and will be celebrated at the Angaza forum slated for October this year in Kenya.
The awards recognise the seamless efforts of women who are steering and shaping Africa’s financial services sector across Africa, and in excess of 30 women leaders from 16 countries have been honoured since the inception of the awards.
In a statement, the awards conveners said Chinyuku was celebrated for significantly increasing the company’s gross written premiums, despite challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as her contributions to building capacity within the insurance sector.
Meanwhile, in the microfinance sector, Patsika showed visionary leadership during the pandemic when she led her institution in implementing innovative digital platforms to drive financial inclusion.
Patsika is one of the youngest executives leading a financial institution in the country.
“Among the Top 10 are Zimbabwe’s Clementine Chinyuku, Head of Reassurance at Emeritus Reinsurance, and Nonceba Patsika, Managing Director at Zibuko Capital Private Limited. Previous winners include Marjorie Mayida, Managing Director of Old Mutual Investment Group Zimbabwe, and Alice Shumba, Managing Director of FBC Insurance, who were recognized in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Chinyuku was celebrated for significantly increasing the company’s gross written premiums, despite challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as her contributions to building capacity within the insurance sector, Angaza Forum said.
Through the Angaza Forum chairperson Nuru Mugambi’s Angaza Awards, the forum uncovered the hidden gems of Africa’s financial landscape—wwomen whose impact transcends boardrooms and industries to create shared value.
“Their stories inspire us, reminding us that financial inclusion and empowerment are not just sustainable finance goals but catalysts for transformative change. As we amplify their voices, we pave the way for a future where women rise to the C-suite and beyond by driving impactful initiatives that reshape the fabric of our economies,” she said.
The Angaza Awards Judges Panel is constituted by Mutumboi Mundia, Chief Executive Officer of Prospero, an SME-focused impact investment organisation in Zambia; Catherine Musakali, CoFounder of Women on Boards Network Kenya; Hedwige Nuyens, Managing Director, International Banking Federation; Yawa Hansen-Quao, Founder, Leading Ladies’ Network (Ghana); Joanita Lunkuse-Jaggwe, a risk management specialist with UNDP; Luke Ombara, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Capital Markets Authority of Kenya; Esohe Denise Odaro, Head of ESG and Sustainability, PAI Partners (UK); Maxwell Pirikisi, Immediate Past President – South Africa-Nigeria Business Chamber (SA-NBC) and Director SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI); and Jo-Ann Pöhl, Senior Advisor at Kearney (South Africa)
