Risper Ohaga to Succeed Ashok Shah as APA Apollo Group CEO in Planned Leadership Transition

APA Apollo Group has announced a planned leadership transition at Apollo Investments Limited (AIL), marking the end of an era for the regional insurance giant.

After an exceptional 50-year career in the insurance industry, outgoing Group CEO Ashok Shah will commence a structured transition from his role, in a move the Board says is designed to ensure continuity, stability, and sustained growth across the Group.

As part of the succession plan, the Board has appointed Risper Ohaga as the incoming Group CEO. She will formally join the Group effective 1 July 2026, following the completion of her tenure as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at East African Breweries Plc on 30 June 2026.

End of a Distinguished Era

Reflecting on his five decades of leadership, Shah described his tenure as an extraordinary journey.

“Leading the APA Apollo Group over the past fifty years has been an extraordinary journey. Together with our teams, we have built a trusted, innovative, and resilient group of companies. I am confident that the strong leadership in place will continue to build on this foundation and take the Group to even greater heights, creating lasting value for our customers, partners, and communities,” he said.

Shah’s leadership has been widely credited with transforming APA into one of East Africa’s most respected financial services institutions, with operations spanning general insurance, life assurance, micro insurance, and asset management.

Risper Ohaga Takes the Helm

Ohaga brings extensive executive experience across the financial services and corporate sectors in Africa. Currently the Group Chief Finance Officer and Executive Director at East African Breweries Plc, she previously held senior finance and audit roles at Barclays/Absa in Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Lusaka, as well as at KPMG East Africa.

She also currently serves as a Non-Executive Director within APA Apollo Group and has chaired the Audit & Risk Committees of APA Insurance and APA Life Assurance, giving her deep familiarity with the Group’s governance structures, strategy, and operations.

Ohaga holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi and is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPAK).

Commenting on her appointment, Ohaga said she looks forward to building on Shah’s legacy.

“I am excited to take on this new role at APA Apollo Group, where each day presents an opportunity to make an impact on the lives of our people across East Africa. Ashok has built an extraordinary legacy of leadership and innovation, and I look forward to building on this strong foundation,” she said.

She also highlighted the strategic collaboration between APA Apollo and its key equity partners, Hollard International and Swiss Re, noting that these partnerships will continue to drive innovation and market-leading solutions.

Board Backs Structured Succession

Daniel Ndonye, Chairman of AIL, described Shah’s impact as indelible, both within the Group and across the broader insurance industry in Kenya and the region.

“Ashok’s leadership over five decades has left an indelible mark not only on APA Apollo Group, but on the insurance industry in Kenya and the wider region. His unwavering commitment to integrity, innovation and inclusive growth has built APA into the strong and trusted institution it is today,” Ndonye said.

He added that the Board had managed the transition deliberately and responsibly to safeguard continuity while positioning the Group for future growth.

“The Board is confident that under this next chapter of leadership, with Ashok continuing in strategic roles, APA Apollo will continue its expansion, strengthen its performance, and deliver sustainable long-term growth,” he said.

Focus on Growth and Stability

The Group said it remains firmly focused on executing its strategy and growth plans across its business lines, including general insurance, life assurance, micro insurance, and asset management.

It reaffirmed its commitment to operational excellence, prudent risk management, exceptional customer service, and long-term value creation for all stakeholders as it enters a new phase of leadership.

The transition marks a significant milestone for APA Apollo Group, signalling both continuity and renewal as one of East Africa’s leading financial services institutions prepares for its next chapter.

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