APA Apollo Group has announced a planned leadership succession that will see Risper Ohaga join as Group CEO in July 2026, succeeding long-serving executive Ashok Shah after a five-decade career in the insurance industry.
APA Apollo Group has unveiled a structured leadership transition that will see seasoned finance executive Risper Ohaga assume the role of Group Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2026, marking the end of an era led by outgoing Group CEO Ashok Shah.
The appointment forms part of a carefully planned succession process designed by the Board to maintain operational continuity and sustain strategic momentum across the regional financial services group, which operates in insurance, asset management, and microinsurance segments across East Africa.
Ohaga will join the Group following completion of her tenure as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at East African Breweries Plc on June 30, 2026.
End of a Five-Decade Leadership Era
Shah’s transition follows a career spanning approximately 50 years in the insurance industry, during which he played a central role in building APA Apollo into one of the region’s established insurance and financial services providers.
“Leading APA Apollo Group over the past fifty years has been an extraordinary journey. Together with our teams, we have built a trusted, innovative, and resilient group of companies. I am confident that the strong leadership in place will continue to build on this foundation and take the Group to even greater heights, creating lasting value for our customers, partners, and communities,” Shah said.
While stepping down from day-to-day executive responsibilities, Shah is expected to continue supporting the Group in strategic roles, ensuring knowledge transfer and leadership continuity during the transition period.
Incoming CEO Brings Financial and Governance Expertise
Ohaga joins APA Apollo with extensive experience across financial services, corporate finance, and governance in regional institutions. Currently serving as Group CFO and Executive Director at East African Breweries Plc, she has previously held senior finance and audit roles within Barclays/Absa across Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Lusaka, as well as at KPMG East Africa.
Her appointment is also supported by existing institutional knowledge, having served as a Non-Executive Director within APA Apollo Group and chaired Audit and Risk Committees of APA Insurance and APA Life Assurance subsidiaries.
“I am excited to take on this new role at APA Apollo Group, where each day presents an opportunity to make an impact on the lives of our people across East Africa. Ashok has built an extraordinary legacy of leadership and innovation, and I look forward to building on this strong foundation,” Ohaga said.
She added that collaboration with key equity partners, including Hollard International and Swiss Re, would continue to support innovation and development of market-leading solutions for customers.
Board Emphasises Continuity and Growth
Daniel Ndonye, Chairman of Apollo Investments Limited, said the Board had overseen the succession process with a focus on preserving stability while positioning the Group for its next growth phase.
“Ashok’s leadership over five decades has left an indelible mark not only on APA Apollo Group, but on the insurance industry in Kenya and the wider region. His unwavering commitment to integrity, innovation and inclusive growth has built APA into the strong and trusted institution it is today,” Ndonye said.
“The Board has managed this transition deliberately and responsibly, with a clear focus on safeguarding continuity while positioning the Group for the future. Risper brings extensive executive experience, deep financial and strategic expertise, and a proven track record of leadership within leading regional companies.”
Strategic and Industry Context
The leadership change comes at a time when Kenya’s insurance sector is navigating evolving regulatory requirements, digital transformation pressures, and growing demand for inclusive insurance products.
Industry players are increasingly focusing on technology-driven distribution, microinsurance expansion, and integrated financial services models to capture underserved segments while improving profitability and operational efficiency.
APA Apollo Group has been pursuing growth across general insurance, life assurance, microinsurance, and asset management, reflecting broader industry trends toward diversification and cross-segment integration.
Ohaga’s finance background and governance experience are likely to be viewed as assets as the Group continues executing capital management strategies, strengthening risk oversight, and advancing digital transformation initiatives.
Regional Expansion and Partner Collaboration
The Group’s partnership structure, which includes strategic equity participation from Hollard International and Swiss Re, has provided capital support, technical expertise, and product innovation capabilities.
These collaborations have enabled APA Apollo to expand its footprint and introduce specialized insurance solutions aligned with regional market needs, including agricultural, health, and microinsurance offerings.
Maintaining these partnerships and leveraging institutional capabilities will remain central to the Group’s growth strategy as leadership transitions.
Outlook
APA Apollo Group said it will remain focused on executing its strategic priorities, delivering customer value, and maintaining operational excellence during the leadership transition.
The succession signals continuity in strategic direction while introducing new executive leadership at a time when insurers are adapting to digital disruption, changing customer expectations, and evolving regulatory landscapes across East Africa.
For stakeholders, the planned nature of the transition and retention of Shah in strategic roles may help mitigate leadership risk while supporting institutional stability as Ohaga prepares to assume executive responsibilities mid-2026.
