Growth for insurance business seen in agric, power sector reforms

The ongoing power and agricultural sector reforms, along with new investments coming into these sectors, estimated at over N2.1 trillion to date, will spur economic activities which would open up new growth opportunities in the nation’s insurance sector, analysts say.

The analysts believe that demand for infrastructure and the multiplier-effect of expansion into manufacturing would increase risk exposures, which would require insurance protection and risk management expertise.

An estimated N750 billion has so far been invested by the banks in the ongoing power sector privatisation, which would  be largely deployed to acquisition of infrastructure and human capital development.

In the agricultural sector, a whopping $8 billion (about N1.28 trillion) had been invested by the private sector, including local and foreign firms, as at the end of June 2013, with analysts projecting $10 billion as at the end of second quarter 2014.

Akinwumi Adesina, minister of agriculture and rural development, said the development partners rallied around Nigeria’s agricultural transformation efforts with commitments totalling $2 billion. These include the World Bank with $1 billion, African Development Bank (AfDB) with $500 million, USAID with $100 million, the International Fund for Agricultural Development with $100 million, and funds from DFID, UNDP and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The minister also said the private sector interest in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in the country had increased tremendously in the last 18 months ending June 2013, having attracted $8 billion of private sector investment commitments from local and multinational companies within the period.

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (S&P), in a report focusing on Nigeria’s property and casualty sector, says it expects the Nigerian economy to expend by about 6.3 percent per year through 2014-2015.

According to the rating firm, considerable natural resources support the economy, but the non-oil economy has largely fuelled growth for the past few years, including agriculture, trade, and services.

“Growth in these sectors should broaden economic diversification and create opportunities for the insurance sector. We consider that the Nigerian property and casualty industry has significant potential for growth, a view supported by the recent acquisition of local players by foreign insurers,” S&P says in the report.

This growth would not become realistic until the industry overcomes various challenges, the rating firm adds.

“For example, the regulator is implementing policies requiring certain compulsory lines and use of local capacity for energy business. These policies need to be properly enforced,” it further says in the report.

Growth also depends on improved perception of the industry and better client service and education, it says.

Kenneth Ezeani Odogwu, chairman, Royal Exchange plc, said the privatisation of the power sector in Nigeria would usher in a fresh vista of life to the corporate insurance market along with the anticipated expansion of manufacturing activities.

This, Odogwu said, was outside the retail insurance market which has demonstrated noticeable progress during the year, increasing level of products, innovations, partnerships among insurance, telecommunication networks, and online retail stores and banks in disseminating and cross-selling insurance products to the public.

“On this note, we have a positive outlook for the insurance industry, taking into consideration an expanding economy with attractive demographic statistics and a low insurance penetration thrust,” he said.

Adedotun Sulaiman, chairman, Cornerstone Insurance plc, said his company had identified new growth opportunities in key sectors of the economy and would continue to form value-adding and innovative partnerships and alliances across different sectors.

“On the corporate side of our business, we will continue to make good inroads into the power and infrastructure sectors of the economy as we have seen the premium income potential in those markets,” Sulaiman stated.

Edwin Igbiti, managing director, AIICO Insurance plc, while assessing the business environment, said the recent privatisation and unbundling of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into distribution companies (Discos) and generating companies (Gencos) presented opportunities for business.

“There is projection of growth in this sector as their assets will ultimately be insured and this will boost the insurance sector,” Igbitisaid, adding that the new owners would definitely employ, thereby creating opportunity for group life insurance.

Modestus Anaesoronye