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Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards 2027 | Continental Reinsurance Plc

The 12th Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards recognise excellence in insurance and reinsurance reporting across Africa. Journalists from print, online, broadcast and social media may submit work in English, French or Arabic.

November 3, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Jan 31, 2027

Quick Overview

Host CountryPan-African (ceremony venue to be announced)
Degree LevelShort Course
Funding TypePartial Funding
Fields of StudyInsurance, Journalism, Media Studies, Risk Management
DeadlineJanuary 31, 2027

Scholarship Overview

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

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Overview

The Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards 2027, hosted by Continental Reinsurance Plc, is Africa’s leading platform celebrating excellence in insurance, risk and resilience journalism. Now in its 12th edition, the awards honour journalists who are shaping conversations around insurance and reinsurance across the continent.

For Zimbabwean and SADC-based journalists, this represents a significant opportunity to gain continental recognition, build professional networks, and elevate reporting on risk-related issues affecting local communities—from climate resilience to agricultural insurance and public health coverage.

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What the Awards Cover

The awards recognise outstanding journalism that improves public understanding of insurance benefits for individuals, communities and societies. Categories include:

  • Print journalism
  • Online journalism
  • Broadcast journalism
  • Social media journalism

New for 2026: the Best Re/Insurance Social Media Entry category, recognising digital creators who use social platforms to make insurance stories more accessible and engaging.

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Eligibility Requirements

The awards are open to journalists who meet the following criteria:

  • Published work in insurance, risk or resilience reporting
  • Work published in English, French or Arabic
  • Entries accepted from print, online, broadcast and social media journalists
  • Work must have been published or broadcast

There is no restriction based on nationality, age or years of experience. Both established journalists and emerging voices are encouraged to apply.

Key Dates

  • Entries open: 29 October 2026
  • Deadline: 31 January 2027
  • Awards ceremony: April 2027 (venue to be announced)

The Judging Panel

An international panel of industry experts and journalism academics evaluates submissions based on:

  • Quality of information presented
  • Contribution to public understanding of insurance benefits
  • Clarity and accessibility of reporting

Notable jury members include:

  • Mr Wilson – Business and finance journalist with 20+ years at Sky TV; has broadcast for BBC, ITV, Fox News, Al Jazeera and Arise Networks
  • Sr. Prof. Agnes Lucy Lando PhD – Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Daystar University, Nairobi; George Gerbner Excellence Award winner (2013); author of five books on media ethics and crisis communication
  • Ms Heeda – Former Managing Director at Willis Towers Watson Re (Egypt) and Vice Chairman at Egypt Re; 45+ years in insurance and reinsurance; native Arabic speaker supporting the Arabic award category
  • Mr Chakib Abouzaid – Secretary-General of the General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF) since 2019; 30+ years in insurance; ambassador for the International Insurance Society
  • Ms Mensah-Acogny – Journalist and columnist at Forbes Afrique; author of the annual ‘100 Most Influential Women in Africa’ report; 30+ years as communications expert
  • Mr Kenneth Igbomor – Market News Editor (West Africa) at CNBC Africa; development economist with prior experience as financial planner in the Nigerian insurance industry

How to Apply

Submit your entry with the following components:

  1. Your name and media organisation
  2. Publishing or broadcasting date of the submitted work
  3. Brief professional profile (50–100 words) detailing your experience
  4. Photograph
  5. The submitted journalistic work

All materials should demonstrate how your reporting tells Africa’s risk story and contributes to better understanding of insurance across the continent.

Why Zimbabwean and SADC Journalists Should Apply

Insurance penetration remains low across Southern Africa, and quality journalism plays a critical role in building public trust and understanding. By participating, Zimbabwean journalists can:

  • Gain visibility for underreported stories on climate risk, drought insurance and informal sector coverage
  • Connect with continental and global insurance networks
  • Position themselves as specialists in a niche but growing field
  • Access mentorship through exposure to the international judging panel

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Focus on stories that show real-world impact of insurance or lack thereof
  • Use data and human stories to illustrate systemic risk issues
  • For social media entries, demonstrate engagement metrics and creative storytelling approaches
  • Highlight any cross-border or regional angles relevant to African risk sharing
  • Ensure your profile emphasises relevant experience without exceeding the 100-word limit

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Award recognition and professional development opportunity; specific prize details not published

Eligibility Criteria

Print, online, broadcast and social media journalists with published work in English, French or Arabic on insurance, risk or resilience topics

Required Documents

Name, media organisation, publishing/broadcasting date, 50–100 word professional profile, photograph, submitted journalistic work

Application Process

Submit entry including personal details, profile, photo and published work during the open period from 29 October 2026 to 31 January 2027
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The awards accept entries from all journalists with published work, including freelancers. You must provide your name, media organisation where the work was published, and the publishing or broadcasting date. There is no restriction to staff positions.
The research does not specify an entry fee. Based on standard journalism award practices, entry is typically free, but applicants should confirm directly with Continental Reinsurance Plc when entries open on 29 October 2026.
The Best Re/Insurance Social Media Entry, new from 2026, recognises digital creators using social platforms to make insurance stories more accessible and engaging. This could include Instagram carousels explaining policy terms, TikTok videos on claims processes, Twitter threads on industry developments, or LinkedIn analysis of insurance markets.
As Africa's leading platform for insurance journalism, competition is significant. Entries are evaluated by an international judging panel including industry experts and academics. Winners are selected based on information quality and contribution to public understanding of insurance benefits. Past editions and the calibre of jury members suggest a rigorous but fair evaluation process.
Entries are only accepted in English, French or Arabic. Zimbabwean journalists should submit English-language work. If your original reporting was in another language, you may submit a translated version provided it was published in English, French or Arabic.
The international judging panel reviews all submissions and selects winners. The awards ceremony takes place in April 2027 at a venue to be announced. Winners gain continental recognition and exposure to leading figures in African insurance and global journalism.