The Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA) is urging women to seize the myriad opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This call to action was announced during the recent investiture ceremony of the association’s 15th president in Lagos, Nigeria.
Mrs. Bimbo Onakomaiya, newly inducted as PILA’s 15th President, outlined the association’s forward-thinking strategies in her acceptance speech. She emphasised PILA’s commitment to embracing trade and investment facilitation, aligning with the Nigerian government’s involvement in AfCFTA.
“Our goal is to empower our members to leverage the vast potential of AfCFTA,” Onakomaiya stated. “We’re dedicated to enhancing financial inclusion and diversity for our members, both within Nigeria’s financial market and beyond.”
Key initiatives highlighted by the new president include:
- Partnering with established financial inclusion experts to develop proactive portfolios for short- and medium-term growth.
- Expanding health knowledge capacity, with a focus on mental health awareness and proactive measures against cancer and hepatitis B.
- Taking a more intentional approach to ensure financial inclusivity and diversity among members.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Governor, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, commended Onakomaiya’s leadership, describing her as a trailblazer in the insurance industry.
The association’s proactive stance on AfCFTA aligns with the growing recognition of the trade agreement’s potential to boost intra-African trade, create job opportunities, and foster economic growth across the continent.
As PILA embarks on this new chapter under Onakomaiya’s leadership, the association is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of women in the insurance sector and their participation in the evolving African economy.