By Adonis Byemelwa
Dar es Salaam — The Commissioner of Insurance, Dr. Baghayo Saqware (pictured), has called on insurance agencies across Tanzania to stop portraying the public as uninformed and instead take responsibility for failing to demonstrate the tangible benefits of insurance.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Insurance Agents Association of Tanzania (IAAT) in Dar es Salaam on Friday, August 15, Dr. Saqware challenged industry players to “shoulder the burden of persuasion.”
“The public knows about insurance,” he said firmly, pausing to scan the hall of more than 600 agents. “What they lack is conviction in its benefits. That is our fault, not theirs.”
The commissioner’s remarks set the tone for an evening that was part rallying cry, part celebration. The insurance sector, he revealed, is growing at 15% annually, but the country’s coverage rates tell a stark story: fewer than 15% of Tanzanians are insured, while his vision calls for at least 50% coverage and 90% awareness of insurance’s value.
He urged agencies to expand into rural and underserved areas, praising agents for their “efforts to sharpen skills and deepen knowledge” despite facing multiple challenges. “We must grow this market,” he said.
“If we are faithful to our clients, fast in service, and transparent in our dealings, the insurance sector will thrive. This is not just about policies—it is about protecting lives, assets, and futures.”
Dr. Saqware acknowledged persistent challenges such as low commissions in certain sectors, competition from banks and telecom companies offering insurance, and the urgent need to embrace digital technology.
He noted that life insurance commissions had recently risen from 30% to 40%, while medical insurance commissions increased from 10% to 17%—changes he attributed to close cooperation between his office and the industry.
“If there are problems,” he told the crowd, “Call me. Come to my office. There is no bureaucracy here. That is my job—solving your challenges. If there were no challenges, there would be no need for my office to exist.”
His candour drew nods and murmurs of approval. But he also challenged agents to provide data, not just “sweeping statements,” when lobbying for changes—particularly on commission rates for fire, motor, and other products. “Bring me the facts,” he insisted. “Show me how we compare with other countries. That is how we win arguments at higher levels.”
The government, he added, is committed to creating an enabling environment for business, and starting December 1, all underwriters will be required to train and certify their agents. “This is the world we live in,” he said. “Technology is changing fast. If we don’t adapt, we will lose customers.”
Lugano Mkisi, the IAAT chairperson, praised the commissioner’s accessibility and dedication, recalling how he once struggled to get a meeting with him.
“I discovered he is a good man with one goal—to see our association grow stronger every day,” Mkisi said. He credited the commissioner with helping secure commission increases and enabling agencies to work with the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA), opening new avenues for business.
The meeting, sponsored by major players including NHIF, BUMACO Insurance, Resolution Insurance, Zanzibar Insurance, ICEA Lion, and others, was as much a showcase of progress as it was a frank conversation about the road ahead.
Agents who had excelled over the past year were honoured in an evening gala of fine food, music, and warm camaraderie—a celebration of a profession that often works quietly behind the scenes but stands between families and financial ruin in times of crisis.
As the evening wound down, one phrase lingered—uttered in Kiswahili by Dr. Saqware and echoed by many in the hall: “Mawakala ni uaminifu na uchumi”—“Agents are trust and economy.” It was both a rallying call and a reminder that, in an industry built on promises, trust is the currency that matters most.
