Dr Ben Karenzi is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Reinsurance Brokerage Solutions (R) Ltd (RBS), the first reinsurance broking services provider in Rwanda. He provides strategic leadership to the Company. With over 3 years of operations, RBS has contributed to minimizing capital flight through increased local risk retention and by providing insurers with viable reinsurance options. Strategic partnerships have been established to ensure that RBS is a credible reinsurance capacity provider for any risk. The partnerships involve the African continental market, Lloyd’s London market and the Middle Eastern markets.
Prior to establishing RBS, Dr Ben was Founder and Managing Director of CUZO Insurance Brokers, a direct broking company. He managed the company for more than three and a half years leading it to profitability. The company attracted foreign investors’ interest. He successfully negotiated a majority share sale to OLEA, a France-based pan African insurance broker.
Having served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning and Health (over 5 years from 2000-2006), he has rich experience in Rwanda’s public governance policies and structures. As Permanent Secretary for Finance and Economic Planning, he is very conversant with Rwanda’s financial sector in terms of its regulatory framework and has rich networking with the relevant stakeholders.
As Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, he oversaw the insurance industry operations, including the establishment of the related regulatory framework. He oversaw the establishment of the first Insurance Commission in Rwanda.
Having been Rwanda’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of South Africa (and other Southern African states), he brings onboard extensive diplomatic and public relations experience.
He holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), a Master’s of Arts Degree (MA) in International Affairs and Diplomacy and a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (MD). He is a well-trained retired senior army officer (at rank of Colonel). He attended senior staff and Command College as well as War College. He is a certified Company Director with the Commonwealth Association of Corporate Governance. He also holds professional certificates in insurance and conflict management.
