EIRS Expands Kenya Operations as Demand Grows for Specialized Risk Advisory Services in East Africa
Christine Gikunda, principal officer, EIRS (Pty) Limited
NAIROBI, Kenya – Insurance and risk advisory firm EIRS has announced plans to expand its workforce in Kenya by more than 60 percent by the end of the third quarter of 2026, reflecting growing demand for specialized risk management and advisory services across East Africa.
The move comes as businesses in the region face an increasingly complex operating environment marked by climate-related disruptions, cybersecurity threats, supply chain challenges, and evolving regulatory requirements. Industry experts say these pressures are driving companies to seek more comprehensive risk solutions that go beyond traditional insurance coverage.
Kenya, East Africa’s largest financial and logistics hub, remains central to this evolving landscape. Despite increasing awareness of risk management, insurance penetration in the country remains relatively low. According to the Association of Kenya Insurers, insurance penetration has hovered around 2.3 percent in recent years, significantly below the global average.
At the same time, Africa’s insurance industry is expected to experience strong growth over the coming decade, supported by rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, digital transformation, and rising awareness of business resilience strategies.
EIRS said the expansion is aimed at strengthening its advisory capabilities and improving service delivery for clients operating in sectors such as financial services, logistics, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology.
According to Abhishek Jain, Chief Executive Officer of EIRS, businesses are increasingly seeking risk partners that can help identify potential threats before they materialize.
“Businesses today are operating in a far more unpredictable environment than they were a few years ago,” Jain said. “Clients within East Africa are no longer looking for insurers that only respond after a loss occurs. They want partners who understand their industries, identify risks early, and help them build resilience before disruptions happen.”
Industry analysts note that competition within Africa’s insurance sector is increasingly shifting from product offerings to expertise, responsiveness, and client experience. This trend has heightened demand for skilled professionals capable of providing sector-specific risk guidance.
Christine Gikunda, Principal Officer at EIRS Kenya, said clients now expect faster decision-making and more tailored support from insurance providers.
“Clients expect quicker decisions, deeper engagement, and advisors who understand the realities of their sectors,” she said. “Building strong local teams allows firms to move closer to clients and deliver more practical, insight-led support.”
The Kenya expansion follows recent growth initiatives by EIRS in Zambia and Malawi and forms part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its presence across Africa.
The development also coincides with East Africa’s emergence as a regional center for technology, trade, and artificial intelligence-driven innovation. Industry events such as GTR East Africa, GITEX Kenya, and AI Everything have highlighted growing interest in digital transformation and data-driven approaches to risk management.
As economic activity expands across the region, industry observers say insurers are increasingly being evaluated not only on the products they offer but also on their ability to help businesses anticipate, manage, and respond to emerging risks.
The planned workforce expansion signals growing confidence in the East African market and reflects wider changes underway in Africa’s insurance and risk advisory industry.
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