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APA APOLLO GROUP
The APA Apollo Group comprises APA Insurance (Kenya and Uganda), APA Life Assurance, Apollo Asset Management, and Gordon Court, holding a share in Reliance Insurance (Tanzania). In 2022, our consolidated turnover reached KES 20 Billion, reinforcing our standing as a premier provider of insurance, pensions, and investments in East Africa.
Since our inception, APA Apollo Group has been committed to becoming a trusted and responsible operator, striving to create value for all of our stakeholders. As a financial services group with an emphasis on insurance, we prioritise sustainability as our primary offering to clients and partners. Insurance plays a crucial role in safeguarding and sustaining our insureds, actively contributing to their growth.
We firmly believe that responsible, sustainable development which harmonises environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations yields enduring benefits for communities, minimises the impact on the environment and enhances value for all of our stakeholders. Throughout the Group, ESG assumes a pivotal role in our decision-making processes, risk management, and value creation. Sustainability is integral to our purpose, propelling our performance forward, and our teams of skilled and passionate individuals are unwaveringly committed to making a positive impact, both within the workplace and in their communities.
At the heart of the Group’s sustainable business model is the ESG Sustainability Framework, a robust system meticulously crafted to evaluate and manage sustainability strategy with precision. This all-encompassing framework is systematically applied to every facet of our business activities, spanning insurance products and services, transactions, and investments. It facilitates the identification, assessment, and proactive adherence to sustainability principles, seamlessly integrating them into our decision-making processes.
Our array of meticulously curated insurance products reflects our commitment to ESG considerations. Specifically, our health plans are strategically designed not only to meet diverse clientele needs but also to align with social responsibility by ensuring seamless access to affordable and high-quality medical care. Tailoring plans to diverse age groups, lifestyles, and health concerns within our comprehensive range fosters social inclusivity. This enables individuals from various backgrounds to safeguard their wellbeing without compromising financial stability.
Moreover, at the other end of the spectrum, our provision of insurance solutions for smallholders and pastoralists demonstrates our dedication to environmental sustainability and social impact within the ESG framework. These solutions assist communities in overcoming climatic and other perils, contributing to the resilience of livelihoods.
We firmly believe that true dedication to social responsibility necessitates prioritising the wellbeing and development of our people. Therefore, our overarching goal is to foster a culture within the APA Apollo Group where team members have ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. We actively facilitate the advancement of their career journey by offering training that not only enhances their proficiency in their roles but also aligns with their individual interests. Our structured employee performance evaluation process meticulously assesses each individual’s performance concerning business goals and key performance indicators (KPIs), integrating ESG considerations.
Central to our sustainability initiatives is the APA Apollo Foundation, established in 2006. This corporate foundation serves as a conduit for our philanthropic and corporate citizenship activities, embodying social and humanitarian values. In alignment with our commitment to ESG principles, we have pledged our support for the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030, recognising the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a crucial framework guiding our sustainability endeavours. To streamline and intensify our efforts, we have identified priority themes resonating with our core values and capabilities, including Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Clean Water & Sanitation, and Climate Action. By concentrating on these focus areas, we aim to maximise our influence, emerging as a demonstrable force for positive change within the context of ESG considerations.
A notable illustration is the Foundation’s bursary scheme, crafted to educate the highest-achieving boy and girl from Cheleta Primary School. Situated in Runda, an affluent Nairobi suburb, the school extends its educational outreach to underprivileged students from two adjacent informal settlements servicing the affluent surrounding community. Since its establishment in 2007, numerous students have benefited from this support, facilitating their educational journey from primary school to secondary school, college, and beyond. It is worthy to note that some of these individuals are now employed in subsidiaries of the APA Apollo Group.
Furthermore, the Foundation’s impactful water initiatives, demonstrated through the construction of 38 sand dams, signify a substantial investment of USD 1.6 million to date. These projects have significantly increased water accessibility, elevated livelihoods, and fostered environmental sustainability in four semi-arid and arid Kenyan counties, thereby aligning with both the ‘E’ and ‘S’ of the ESG framework and positively impacting thousands of lives.
As a Group, we are actively transitioning to a paperless work environment. This deliberate shift is a pivotal step in our commitment to responsible consumption, aimed at minimising our environmental impact, specifically on trees, and promoting sustainability. By embracing digital processes and reducing reliance on paper, we are not only streamlining our operations but also contributing to the conservation of forests and the broader environment.
In recognition of our groundbreaking solutions, APA Insurance was honoured with the European MicroFinance Award for ‘strengthening resilience to climate change’, making it the inaugural insurance company to receive such recognition, further highlighting our commitment to environmental sustainability.
APA Apollo Group is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance, guided by our unwavering commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparency. Since our inception, ESG considerations have been integral to our decision-making, and we persistently embed them into every facet of our business. Our robust governance practices not only safeguard the environment but also uplift communities, thereby creating substantial value for all stakeholders.
We hold strong conviction that diversity is a crucial component in achieving our business objectives and enhancing decision-making processes. Our commitment to diversity is reflected in the meticulous selection of directors, ensuring they possess the qualifications, skills, expertise, and experience necessary for the board to fulfil its mandate. Recognising the importance of diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise, we take pride in the fact that over 50 percent of leadership positions within the Group are held by women.
Our comprehensive policies and systems underscore our dedication to responsible operation, effective risk management, and the delivery of value to our stakeholders. Whether it’s our directors, employees, or contractors, adherence to our policies and the maintenance of high standards of integrity are non-negotiable expectations.
As we look ahead, we acknowledge the ongoing transformation of APA Apollo Group, fully cognizant of the opportunities and responsibilities we bear. Committed to unwavering principles of integrity and accountability, our dedication to impactful ESG practices paves the way for a future where our influence fosters positive change.
AUTHOR: APA APOLLO GROUP
EDITOR: KAREN SONG’E
