Verod Capital Management to acquire Metropolitan Life Insurance
Verod Capital Management has received regulatory approvals for its acquisition of 100 per cent of the shareholding of Metropolitan Life Insurance Nigeria from South African-based Momentum Metropolitan Holdings.
The transaction, for an undisclosed amount, sees Momentum Metropolitan exit the Nigerian market, in line with its articulated Reset and Grow strategy.
The insurance sector in Nigeria as a whole is entering a new growth phase, with the recent announcement of increased minimum capital requirements by the industry regulator.
This, in addition to various other initiatives being pursued by both regulators and industry participants, is expected to result in improved insurance penetration and performance in the sector.
Having closely monitored these developments over the last several years, Verod sees significant opportunities within the sector and believes that this inflection point is the right time to enter the market and that Metropolitan Life Nigeria presents a solid platform for rapid growth.
“Low levels of insurance penetration, even compared to other African economies, point to untapped opportunities within the sector,” said Eric Idiahi, Partner at Verod, pointing out that, “NAICOM, the insurance regulator, has made concerted efforts towards creating an enabling environment; we believe that these actions, in addition to product innovation supported by increased public awareness and investments in technology-driven distribution channels, are the triggers that this sector needs to close the insurance penetration gap.”
Metropolitan Life Nigeria is a life insurance company offering group life and credit life products to clients across the public and private spheres.
Verod has plans for expansion and with their added expertise, anticipates growth in market-share in this sector.
Momentum Metropolitan has been a major shareholder in Metropolitan Life Nigeria for the past 12 years and has steered the Company through various phases of its growth trajectory.
“We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank various stakeholders that have fully supported us during our presence in the Nigerian market, ranging from our Board, employees and management, to our clients, distribution partners such as brokers and banking institutions, and NAICOM and other regulators,” said Kudakwashe Mudzengi, acting CEO of Momentum Metropolitan Africa.
He added: “We are confident that Verod Capital will continue to provide our stakeholders with the support and confidence needed in a shareholder. Verod Capital, as a West African investor with local knowledge and presence, will be in a good position to support the staff and management team towards providing a solid client value proposition and excellent client service.
