Kigali, Rwanda | 2 October 2022

In October 2022, I had the privilege of travelling to Kigali, Rwanda, to facilitate a workshop on behalf of The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) — an engagement designed to raise awareness of the Institute, its membership pathways, and the world-class professional standards it upholds.

From the moment I arrived, my excitement was undeniable. Kigali — often called the land of a thousand hills and the Heart of Africa — is a place that captures you instantly. Its beauty, orderliness, and warmth are unlike anything I have experienced elsewhere on the continent.

A Purposeful Workshop and Inspiring Conversations

The workshop brought together practitioners, leaders, and aspiring adjusters eager to understand what CILA represents and how structured professional development can elevate claims and loss adjusting across East Africa.

My brief presentation explored:

• CILA qualifications

• Professional membership routes

• The value of technical competence in modern claims handling

• Why global standards matter in an increasingly interconnected African insurance market

The engagement concluded with a lively and insightful Q&A session, followed by a warm dinner reception courtesy of CILA.

My sincere appreciation goes to:

• Claire Luckhurst (CILA Marketing Manager at the time) for her guidance and support, and

• Mr. Deodatus Rubayita of Bold Loss Adjusters Ltd, Rwanda, whose efforts were instrumental in making the session a success.

Beyond the Workshop: A Warm, Clean, Remarkable City

Outside of the core business, Kigali left an indelible impression on me.

In 2018, the UN Environment Programme famously referred to Kigali as “the cleanest city on the planet” — and standing there, I understood why.

The organisation, environmental consciousness, and communal ownership of public spaces are genuinely remarkable.

I was also fortunate to receive a personal tour of some of the city’s highlights:

• The iconic BK Arena

• The spectacular Kigali International Conference Centre

• The quietly inspiring neighbourhoods that make Kigali feel both modern and deeply rooted in community

Along the way, I picked up a few words of Kinyarwanda and enjoyed the unmatched hospitality of the Rwandese people.

Strengthening Regional Capability — One Engagement at a Time

Engagements like this Kigali workshop are part of what continues to shape my journey as a trainer and industry practitioner.

They remind me how much talent exists across the region — and how much impact structured knowledge-sharing can have on the future of loss adjusting and insurance.

Today, through Specialty Claims Academy (SCA), these experiences inform the way we design and deliver training:

• Technical, practical, Africa-relevant training

• Grounded in global standards

• Delivered with local insight and regional sensitivity

SCA remains committed to supporting insurers, adjusters, and risk professionals across the continent as they build stronger technical foundations for the future.

Looking Ahead

Kigali was a beautiful experience — professionally enriching, personally rewarding, and a reminder of how vibrant our region is.

I look forward to many more engagements like this across Africa, strengthening the profession one workshop, one conversation, and one shared experience at a time.

📧 training@specialtyclaims.co.ke
🌐 www.specialtyclaims.co.ke

Author:
Fredrick A. Oloo
BCom (Ins.), Dip CII, Dip CILA
Lead Trainer & Director – Specialty Claims Academy (SCA)

( Also: Managing Director – Niche Loss Adjusters & Marine Surveyors Ltd
Council Member – Institute of Loss Adjusters & Risk Surveyors (IARS – Kenya)
Committee Member – Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA – UK)’s Future Focus Special Interest Group