The National Investment Promotion Agency (ANAPI) and the Insurance Regulatory and Control Authority (ARCA) signed a cooperation agreement on Feb. 26, 2026, to integrate insurance more closely into investment promotion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The move is part of broader reforms aimed at improving the business climate and strengthening the country’s investment appeal.
The two institutions, led by Rachel Pungu Luamba and Alain Kaninda Ngalula, said the objective is to make the investment environment clearer and more protective for investors and project sponsors. They argue that insurance can improve project bankability, mitigate country risk and strengthen the financial credibility of investments.
Under the agreement, insurance is expected to play a more technical role by covering construction and operational risks, improving loss predictability and reinforcing compliance and governance standards likely to reassure lenders and partners.
The protocol sets out several operational priorities: boosting foreign and domestic investment in the insurance sector; facilitating investor entry and support in line with regulatory standards; coordinating the promotion and oversight of insurance activities; developing joint initiatives to improve product accessibility and diversification; and raising awareness of the Insurance Code.
For the Congolese insurance market, the ANAPI–ARCA partnership could act as a catalyst. Potential effects include better investor information, stronger local demand, the development of products tailored to major infrastructure, energy and mining projects, and improvements in industry standards. In 2025, ANAPI said it approved 96 projects and applications representing a projected investment volume of $5.13 billion, creating significant opportunities for insurers.
Industry stakeholders nonetheless point to structural challenges: low insurance penetration, capital adequacy constraints, limited technical capacity, the cost and quality of coverage, delays in claims settlement, and the need to retain more value domestically while maintaining robust reinsurance arrangements.
In its 2024 market report, ARCA said gross written premiums rose to $377.89 million in 2024 from $325.29 million in 2023, an increase of 16.17%. However, the market remains shallow. Insurance penetration edged up to 0.53% in 2024 from 0.46% a year earlier, while density reached $3.46 per capita. The sector also remains heavily reliant on reinsurance, with $210.30 million in non-life premiums ceded in 2024, reflecting continued dependence on international capacity for large risks.
The agreement alone will not automatically deliver results. Its impact will depend on effective implementation, including clear governance arrangements, designated focal points, timelines and deliverables. Concrete tools such as practical guides, an investor help desk, awareness campaigns and support for pilot projects, alongside measurable performance indicators — including processing times, the share of risks underwritten locally, product development and investor satisfaction — will be critical to assessing progress.
Pierre Mukoko & Boaz Kabeya
