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JOSEPH ONSANDO – GROUP CEO MINET HOLDINGS AFRICA
As the Group CEO of Minet Holdings Africa, Joseph Onsando stands at the helm of one of the continent’s most influential insurance and risk advisory organizations. His leadership spans over 20 years within the Aon–Minet ecosystem and more than three and a half decades in the global insurance industry.
Joe Onsando, as he is affectionately known in his peer circle, started his insurance consultancy and risk management career, that would later turn into a Pan-African insurance leadership journey, in 1982 after graduating from the University of Nairobi (UoN) with a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) degree with a major in Insurance. His formative years at Alico Kenya (now NCBA-Insurance from AIG Kenya) allowed him to master underwriting, financial lines, casualty insurance, and project management skills later enhanced through advanced leadership and management training programs including AIG Project Management (2001) in South Africa, Strategic Leadership in the Marketplace in New York (2001), and Lead AIG Management Program also in New York (2003), among others.
His appointment as Managing Director of AIG Zimbabwe in 2003 marked his transition into regional insurance leadership. During this period, he represented the industry at the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, solidifying his reputation as a continental insurance specialist.
On October 4, 2004, Onsando joined Aon Minet Insurance Brokers Limited, now Minet Kenya Insurance Brokers Limited, as Managing Director responsible for consolidating Aon’s position as a market leader in improving insurance Broking and Risk Management Solutions. Here, he played a pivotal role in strengthening the company’s market dominance. His success led to his appointment in 2007 as CEO for Aon East Africa, overseeing Aon Kenya, Aon Tanzania, and Aon Uganda.
In 2017, Onsando rose to his current role as Group CEO of Minet Holdings Africa (Pty), providing strategic guidance across all sub-Saharan markets (excluding South Africa) and sitting on all boards of the group’s subsidiaries.
From Nairobi to Harare and throughout the sub-Saharan region, Joseph Onsando has become synonymous with stability, expertise, and innovation in risk management. His leadership approach blends technical mastery with a people-centered ethos making him one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most respected insurance executives. He states with the confidence of an accomplished insurance top honcho, “Our mission is to empower African businesses to navigate uncertainty with confidence.”
His journey continues to inspire a new generation of insurance professionals while charting Minet’s path as a continent-leading risk management and leader across sub-Saharan Africa.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, Onsando has over the years built leadership skills and earned exerted enviable influence extending beyond the boardroom: He has been the Director, Insurance Institute of Kenya (1996–1997), Executive Committee Member, Association of Kenya Insurers (1996–2001), Representative, Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (2003–2004) and a Trustee, College of Insurance.
An accomplished sportsman in his own right, Onsando also served as the Chairman, Kenya Harlequins Football Club (1997–2001). These roles reflect his commitment to professional development, governance excellence, and community engagement.
An A levels graduate of the Nairobi School, married and blessed with three children, Joe Onsando leads the best team in sub-Saharan Africa focused on Risk and People.
