Ephraim Bichetero becomes Africa Re’s DMD/COO, advancing climate resilience and youth initiatives.

The new Deputy Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (DMD/COO) of Africa Re is Ephraim Kiiza Bichetero. After a year-long transition and succession plan, his appointment became effective July 1, 2025.

The company's longest-serving DMD/COO is Kenneth Edirin Napoleon Aghoghovbia who oversaw the handover process and is now retired and is replaced by Bichetero. Born in Uganda, Bichetero joined Africa Re in 2004 as an underwriter for the East Africa Region, operating out of the Nairobi Regional Office. Prior to that, he worked in various capacities in the main insurance sector for more than ten years.

Bichetero has held a number of significant roles in Africa Re over the last 20 years. Deputy regional director, interim regional director, senior underwriter, assistant director for technical operations and most recently, regional director of the Nairobi office from January 2018 to June 2024 are among them.

Bichetero was welcomed to the senior leadership team by Africa Re's Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Corneille Karekezi. He gave Bichetero high marks for his dedication, technology expertise, and leadership abilities over the years. Bichetero will assist the CEO in overseeing the group's underwriting activities and other duties throughout Africa Re's offices and subsidiaries in his new position.

Bichetero actively participated in youth development and climate resilience initiatives throughout the 2024 transition. He helped in the beginning of five year relationship with UNICEF to provide digital resources including YOMA and the Nigeria Learning Passport, as well as climate education to more than 4.8 million Nigerian youth. Africa Re is still supporting local insurance initiatives, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa in the wake of natural disasters like Cyclone Freddy.