Welcome to aYo Holdings
At aYo, we provide fast, convenient, easy-to-use insurance cover directly to a user’s mobile phone through our partnership with MTN, MoMo and Sanlam.
Since launching in 2017, we’ve paid millions of dollars in claims through our operations across Africa.
We help enable financial inclusion in Africa by offering our customers an easy way to get insurance cover. We offer cover for various market segments, from consumers to merchants, with each product carefully crafted to address the needs of the consumer.
All transactions are done via a mobile phone so no need for any paperwork. Cover is provided instantly and hassle free!
Welcome to aYo Holdings
At aYo, we provide fast, convenient, easy-to-use insurance cover directly to a user’s mobile phone through our partnership with MTN, MoMo and Sanlam.
Since launching in 2017, we’ve paid millions of dollars in claims through our operations across Africa.
We help enable financial inclusion in Africa by offering our customers an easy way to get insurance cover. We offer cover for various market segments, from consumers to merchants, with each product carefully crafted to address the needs of the consumer.
All transactions are done via a mobile phone so need for any paperwork. Cover is provided instantly and hassle free!
We’re committed to financial inclusion
By providing insurance to the people of Africa, we’re driving financial inclusion and making a tangible, positive difference to people’s lives.
We’re driven by technology
At our core, we’re a technology company. The key to the growth of the African insurance market is the rapid expansion of mobile network operators like MTN and MoMo, which provide the ideal delivery mechanism to enable accessibility, adoption and usage of our products.
We’re building better futures
Insurance allows people to protect themselves, their families and assets against the impact of specific events fast, affordably and conveniently. This opportunity gives many Africans exposure to insurance cover for the first time, and will help shield them from the economic hardships that could otherwise keep them locked into an endless cycle of poverty.
our Values
At aYo the following five values are our North Star. These values determine our decision making, inform our product development and help our team build meaningful careers.
Champion our Purpose
Consider improving the lives of clients we serve in everything do; Consider relevant, accessible and easy to use; We always look to engage better; A future where everyone uses insurance.
Show care in all we do
Display empathy;
Care for each other and our clients;
Keep our promises;
Ensure what we deliver works well;
We don’t misrepresent anything.
Be adventurous
Be curious; Be brave,
Keep moving on.
Create and share joy
Exceed our clients expectations, Connect with each other as well as our clients and partners, Have fun.
Move fast and learn fast
Implement quickly; Take actions and make choices toward a shared view of success; Keep getting better; Test quickly and keep what works; Fail fast if we must
our Country Leaders
Gerrit van Heerde
Group CEO
Gerrit is a seasoned business executive with over 30 years of Pan African experience in financial services, including life insurance and savings, retail credit, asset management, short term insurance and partnerships. He has developed strong business acumen and leadership skills and believes in a leadership style of empowerment and accountability and in creating a trusted environment for all staff to succeed at their best. He has always strived for roles in which he feels he can make a meaningful difference to the lives of clients and add value to all stakeholders.
He is a qualified actuary with a fellowship in life insurance. He is happily married to Danelle and they have two kids, Christian (20) and Marian (18), who they love spending time with.
Julius (Ntobeko) Sikhuza
CEO, aYo Intermediaries South Africa
Julius brings with him vast experience across multiple sectors (digital services, financial services, telecoms, mining, construction and entertainment) spanning over 10 years as management consultant and implementation expert. Part of his role as CEO is leading the SA market to make a difference in solving financial inclusion issues for customers, and providing financial services that are both affordable and meaningful
Laetissia Enonga-Dissake
CEO, aYo Cameroon
Laetissia has 15 years of experience in distribution of Life and Non-Life insurance products, specialist of Bancassurance and Microinsurance in Cameroon. Before joining aYo, she was Commercial Director at Allianz Cameroon and Activa Assurance.
She holds a European Master of Sciences in Business from the European Accreditation Board for Higher Education Schools, a master’s degree in insurance management from the Higher School of Insurance (Paris) and a master’s degree in HR Management from the Catholic University of Central Africa (Yaounde), amongst others.
Francis Gota
CEO, aYo Ghana
Francis has 12 years of experience in the insurance industry, having previously worked as a Business Service Manager at Saham Life Insurance Ghana. He holds an Honours degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Cape Coast and an executive MBA from the University of Ghana. He is an active member of several industry bodies, including the Microinsurance Network, the Access to Insurance Initiative (A2ii), Actuarial Society of Ghana, Actuaries Without Borders, and the International Actuarial Association.
Isabella Akareut
CEO, aYo Uganda
With 15 years’ industry experience in building and leading high-performance teams, Isabella will drive aYo Uganda’s efforts at delivering relevant and affordable insurance solutions to Uganda’s significant underserved population.
A key part of her role is to ensure aYo Uganda has the talent it needs to succeed. Without the right talent and culture in place, we won’t be able to make the impact we want.
Nkiruka Okere
GM, aYo Nigeria
Nkiruka is a highly ambitious Quality Management System consultant with a proven track record in the insurance and healthcare industries
She is dedicated to guiding enterprises through substantial change management, utilizing strong and effective strategic leadership to improve business performance. Nkiruka is a member of the American Society of Quality, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, and a certified arbitrator with The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators.
Gerrit van Heerde
Group CEO
Gerrit is a seasoned business executive with over 30 years of Pan African experience in financial services, including life insurance and savings, retail credit, asset management, short term insurance and partnerships. He has developed strong business acumen and leadership skills and believes in a leadership style of empowerment and accountability and in creating a trusted environment for all staff to succeed at their best. He has always strived for roles in which he feels he can make a meaningful difference to the lives of clients and add value to all stakeholders.
He is a qualified actuary with a fellowship in life insurance. He is happily married to Danelle and they have two kids, Christian (20) and Marian (18), who they love spending time with.
Julius (Ntobeko) Sikhuza
CEO, aYo Intermediaries South Africa
Julius brings with him vast experience across multiple sectors (digital services, financial services, telecoms, mining, construction and entertainment) spanning over 10 years as management consultant and implementation expert. He is no stranger to the MTM stable, as he was previously General Manager of Mobile Financial Services at MTN, where he led the team responsible for the launch of the division.
Laetissia Enonga-Dissake
CEO, aYo Cameroon
Laetissia has 15 years of experience in distribution of Life and Non-Life insurance products, specialist of Bancassurance and Microinsurance in Cameroon. Before joining aYo, she was Commercial Director at Allianz Cameroon and Activa Assurance.
She holds a European Master of Sciences in Business from the European Accreditation Board for Higher Education Schools, a master’s degree in insurance management from the Higher School of Insurance (Paris) and a master’s degree in HR Management from the Catholic University of Central Africa (Yaounde), amongst others.
Francis Gota
CEO, aYo Ghana
Francis has 12 years of experience in the insurance industry, having previously worked as a Business Service Manager at Saham Life Insurance Ghana. He holds an Honours degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Cape Coast and an executive MBA from the University of Ghana. He is an active member of several industry bodies, including the Microinsurance Network, the Access to Insurance Initiative (A2ii), Actuarial Society of Ghana, Actuaries Without Borders, and the International Actuarial Association.
Isabella Akareut
CEO, aYo Uganda
With 15 years’ industry experience in building and leading high-performance teams, Isabella will drive aYo Uganda’s efforts at delivering relevant and affordable insurance solutions to Uganda’s significant underserved population.
A key part of her role is to ensure aYo Uganda has the talent it needs to succeed. Without the right talent and culture in place, we won’t be able to make the impact we want.
Nkiruka Okere
Nkiruka Okere
GM, aYo Nigeria
Nkiruka is a highly ambitious Quality Management System consultant with a proven track record in the insurance and healthcare industries. She is dedicated to guiding enterprises through substantial change management, utilizing strong and effective strategic leadership to improve business performance. Nkiruka is a member of the American Society of Quality, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, and a certified arbitrator with The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators.