Passing of maurice digbeu kipré, founder of serenity insurance in Côte d’Ivoire

The Côte d’Ivoire mourns the loss of Maurice Digbeu Kipré, visionary entrepreneur and founder of Serenity, a leading Ivorian insurance firm, who passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Abidjan. He was 75 years old.

From corporate leadership to entrepreneurial success

Maurice Digbeu Kipré began his professional journey in 1979 at American International Group (AIG), laying the groundwork for a career marked by innovation and expertise in the insurance sector. After honing his skills in both Côte d’Ivoire and the United States, he returned to the Ivorian economy in 1988 as Director of Insurance within the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

His leadership took a significant turn in 1993 when he joined CICA-RE, where he served as CEO until early 2008. His deep understanding of the regional insurance landscape and commitment to excellence positioned him as a key figure in the industry.

A legacy in African insurance

In November 2008, Maurice Digbeu Kipré launched Serenity, an insurance company that quickly became a benchmark for reliability and customer-centric solutions in Africa. His forward-thinking approach and dedication to fostering a robust insurance ecosystem earned him widespread recognition across the continent.

Beyond his corporate achievements, he was a pillar of the Pan-African insurance community, contributing to critical initiatives through his roles in influential organizations. He served on the Regional Control Commission of the Inter-African Conference on Insurance Markets (CIMA), the Executive Committee of the African Insurance Organization (OAA), and the Executive Bureau of the Federation of African National Insurance Companies (FANAF). Additionally, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the International Insurance Institute of Yaoundé (IIA), further cementing his legacy as a transformative leader in African insurance.