Our Heritage

ICEA LION Group is a premier one-stop financial services provider offering innovative insurance, pensions, investments, and trusts across East Africa. While our roots date back to 1895, our modern identity was forged through the 2012 merger of the Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA) and Lion of Kenya Insurance Company Limited (LOK). This strategic horizontal integration combined two top- five insurers to enhance competitiveness, efficiency, and market share.. In 2024, we reached a historic milestone: celebrating 60 years since the establishment of our Life Assurance business in 1964. This legacy is built on a foundation of resilience and trust, as evidenced by our financial strength AAA (KE) rating and a robust asset base of KES 194.2 billion as of the 2023 year-end results.

Today, we continue to shape the region’s financial landscape by protecting and creating wealth for over 1.6 million clients. We stay firmly focused on the future through digital transformation and strategic international partnerships with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group. By leveraging global expertise and the dedication of our workforce, Team Simba, we remain committed to delivering excellence and driving economic prosperity across Kenya and beyond.

Our Brand Promise

Through every life changing moment, we are better together

Mission

To protect & create wealth

Vision

To be the leading Pan African provider of insurance and financial services

Our Core Values

We See Through The Eyes Of The Customer

Our People Are Important To Us

We Deliver On Our Promises

We Champion Integrity

Our Milestones

1895

The roots of Lion of Kenya (now ICEA LION General Insurance) can be traced to the very beginnings of the insurance industry in Kenya. In 1895 Smith Mackenzie & Company were appointed local Lloyd’s agents in Mombasa. The agency eventually evolved into a Royal Exchange Insurance Company branch. In later years, this merged with Guardian Assurance, Atlas Assurance, Caledonian Insurance, Employers Liability Assurance and Commercial Union, among others, to form the Guardian Royal Exchange and Commercial Union groups in East Africa.

1950's

In the 1950s, we operated as Joint Marine Office where ICEA LION’s predecessors Guardian Royal Exchange and commercial groups in East Africa comprised the majority.

1987

With the introduction of the Incorporation Act in 1978, these groups, which had been run jointly, were converted into a local company, Lion of Kenya Insurance Company Limited, which would soon emerge as a well-respected brand within general insurance circles in the Kenyan market.

2012

Lion of Kenya was later renamed ICEA LION General Insurance in 2012 following business reorganisation with its sister company Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA). To enhance growth through wider regional representation, in 1998, when the Tanzania market was opened for private investors, the company invested in a subsidiary – Lion of Tanzania, now ICEA LION General Insurance Company Limited. This was a joint venture with Tanzania Development.

2021

ICEA Life Assurance, ICEA General Insurance and ICEA Asset Management are renamed ICEA LION Life Assurance, ICEA LION General Insurance and ICEA LION Asset Management, in line with the Mother Brand

2021

US based global financial services leader Prudential Financial, Inc. through Leapfrog Strategic Africa Investments (LSAI) acquired a 24% stake in ICEA LION Insurance Holdings Limited. This partnership is expected to support the ICEA LION Group’s strategy of focusing on customer connectivity, growth and innovation, digitization, development of new products and enhancement of operating synergies throughout its various operations.

1895

1950's

In the 1950s, we operated as Joint Marine Office where ICEA LION’s predecessors Guardian Royal Exchange and commercial groups in East Africa comprised the majority.

1987

2012

2021

ICEA Life Assurance, ICEA General Insurance and ICEA Asset Management are renamed ICEA LION Life Assurance, ICEA LION General Insurance and ICEA LION Asset Management, in line with the Mother Brand

2021

1964

Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA) was established in 1964 by Eagle Star Insurance Company, both of the UK, and the New Zealand Insurance Company. The Company was incorporated on 10th November 1964

1965

ICEA started writing general business on 1st January 1965

1966

ICEA started writing life business in 1966

1976

In 1976, the Company’s foreign shareholders sold their interests to a group of pioneering local investors, making ICEA the first privately owned local insurance company.

1980

ICEA innovates to offer employee related benefits, outside the realm of products and services the company traditionally provided as a conventional composite insurer. A subsidiary, aptly named Employee Benefit Trustees (EBT) Limited, was established in the early 1980s. EBT offered such diverse services as segregated pension fund management; staff car loan management scheme; managed medical benefits schemes; corporate and estate trusteeship; private trust management; and pension scheme administration.

2000

In the wake of market and regulatory changes, EBT went through a metamorphosis. It initially transformed itself into ICEA Investment Services Limited.

2000

As business re-organization between ICEA and Lion of Kenya (LOK) gave birth to ICEA LION Life Assurance & ICEA LION General Insurance respectively; Both form ICEA LION Group. As part of this reorganization, the company was renamed ICEA LION Asset Management Limited.

2012

1964

1965

ICEA started writing general business on 1st January 1965

1966

ICEA started writing life business in 1966

1976

In 1976, the Company’s foreign shareholders sold their interests to a group of pioneering local investors, making ICEA the first privately owned local insurance company.

1980

2020

ITSL Trust Company Limited was renamed ICEA LION Trust Company to align with the mother brand ICEA LION Group.

Our Awards

ICEA LION Group is one of the most awarded insurance and financial services companies in East Africa. This is a testament to our pursuit of excellence in all spheres.

Achievements