BY NDUMBE BELL GASTON IN DOUALA
All actors in the insurance sector have been called upon to apply digital technology in order to increase the rate of penetration of insurance services in Cameroon which is as low as just 2-5%. The call was made by President Ayangma the initiator of the first edition of ASSURTECH that was made possible at the Akwa Palace precincts last Wednesday May 31.
Another objective was achieved as developers of information technology and communication met with actors of the insurance sector to seek solutions as to what should be realized to facilitate access and the democratization of the sector.
Among close collaborators present, some of them ASAC, CNPS, P24 or Prevoyance Assurance Assistance, Media Plus, government officials of the Littoral Region and the representative of the Minister of Finance, Protais Ayangma believes that digitization will reduce cost and prevent fraud during his opening remarks.
The President of Atlas Group, Mr. Ben from Tunisia, in his presentation spoke elaborately on the creation of his digitized magazine where much has been written about the insurance market and the profession in Cameroon in English and in French. There are no fees to be paid. Mr. Ben continued that this type of projects when created will benefit insurance services. He urged that when others come to emulate his example, digitized systems will extend their foothold, get in close touch with customers, to promote company visibility, time saving procedures and will construct a positive image through these sites.
The concept, said Mr. Ayangma in a press briefing “will permit talented developers to share views and find lasting solutions in the sector by benefitting from the power of the internet to do their business transactions. Insurers will be able to design a lot of products that will lower the cost for their customers. It will also increase the penetration rate which is very low now.”
Speaking to the representative from the Ministry of Finance, Yaoundé, he reiterated the organiser’s objective of creating this platform. He also spoke of the objective of facilitating access to insurance services especially in areas which are not easy to go and prospect, but now made possible through mobile phones. Documentations are also reduced. The idea is also to bring micro insurance benefits to all “The government is very interested in this project that is why I am representing them.”, he stated. The Director General of the National Social Insurance Fund demonstrated the digitization procedures already operational in their unit.