ZEP-RE Managing Director & Group CEO brings three decades of insurance and reinsurance leadership in Africa to advancing the IDF’s global mission to close protection gaps and build future-ready nations
30 September 2026: The Insurance Development Forum (IDF) today announced that its Steering Committee has appointed Hope Murera as its Deputy Chair. As Managing Director & Group CEO of ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company) and an existing Steering Committee member, Murera brings more than 30 years of insurance and reinsurance experience in Africa, and a strong record of advancing climate resilience and financial inclusion. She will serve in this role alongside her position at ZEP-RE.
Murera’s appointment strengthens the IDF’s industry leadership as it works to scale the contribution of insurance to resilience and sustainable development in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). Murera brings direct experience of developing insurance markets and delivering protection in communities facing significant climate and economic risks; perspectives essential to translating global expertise into solutions that meet local needs.
In addition to a track record of consistently championing insurance as an essential part of financial inclusion, Ms Murera also chairs the Board of ACRE Africa, ZEP-RE’s ag-tech subsidiary focused on climate resilience for farmers. She is an advocate for girls’ education, mentorship and women’s leadership.
The appointment supports the IDF’s ambition to build future-ready nations by bringing insurance expertise, public policy and development priorities together. As Deputy Chair (Industry), Murera will help advance that ambition through the Steering Committee’s leadership of the Forum, with a focus on the industry’s contribution to lasting resilience.
Michel Liès, Chair of the IDF Steering Committee, said: “Hope brings a powerful combination of industry leadership, deep knowledge of African insurance markets and a clear commitment to bring resilience to people whose lives and livelihoods remain exposed to risk. She understands what it takes to build markets and partnerships and help shape policies that deliver protection where it is needed most.
As the IDF enters its second decade, our task is to bring proven approaches to greater scale. Hope’s experience will be invaluable in strengthening the industry’s contribution to that effort, connecting global insurance capabilities with country priorities and helping make insurance a cornerstone of development for future-ready nations. I am delighted to welcome her as Deputy Chair.”
Hope Murera, IDF Steering Committee Deputy Chair, said: “There is no financial inclusion without insurance. For a farmer, a business or a government, access to finance alone cannot secure progress if the next drought or flood can wipe it away. Risk management and effective protection give people the confidence to invest, build and plan for the future.
“I am honoured to take on this role alongside my responsibilities at ZEP-RE. Across Africa, we see both the urgency of closing protection gaps and the ingenuity of institutions working to address them. I look forward to bringing that experience to the IDF’s global partnership, working with Michel, fellow Steering Committee members and our public and private sector members and partners to expand practical, affordable protection and strengthen the local markets that sustain it.”
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About the Insurance Development Forum
A unique public–private partnership, the IDF helps close protection gaps so that people, businesses and nations can recover faster from disaster, attract investment and thrive.
Led by industry and co-chaired by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank Group, the IDF aligns insurance expertise with public policy and development priorities to drive resilience. It brings together change agents from across sectors to help build future-ready nations.
For more information, visit: www.insdevforum.org
