Our first in‑person education session for the year set the tone for what promises to be an impactful and insightful programme ahead. Under the banner of #AspireTogether, we welcomed brokers and industry partners to a highly topical discussion on “Riots & Strikes in a Volatile World”, a subject that has become increasingly relevant in today’s complex risk landscape.
Attendance reached 81 participants, with engagement remaining strong throughout the entire session, an encouraging outcome considering registrations were capped at 150. Most notably, attendees stayed for the full duration of the event, reinforcing both the relevance of the topic and the value placed on face‑to‑face learning and dialogue within our broker community.
The session was expertly delivered by 2 Swiss Re Africa specialists, who provided global insights grounded in practical experience and regional relevance. The discussion focused on how riots, strikes, and broader socio‑political instability are reshaping traditional risk assumptions and what this means for insurers, brokers, and clients alike.
One of the key takeaways was that protest and SRCC risk is now structurally higher than in the past. Civil unrest is increasingly leaderless, digitally coordinated, and rapidly scalable. Unlike historical patterns where unrest was episodic and event‑driven, today’s environment suggests a permanently elevated baseline of risk. This has significant implications for political violence exposure, property damage, liability outcomes, and business interruption losses, particularly in emerging markets.
The presenters also highlighted how the global property and casualty risk pool is becoming both larger and more complex. Global premiums are projected to almost double between 2020 and 2040, reaching approximately USD 4.3 trillion. Importantly, the geographic distribution of risk is shifting, with emerging markets expected to increase their share of global premiums from around 20% to 33%. This shift underscores the need for more nuanced underwriting approaches and deeper risk understanding as growth accelerates outside mature markets.
Looking ahead to 2040, the mix of risk itself is changing. Property risk continues to grow, driven by asset concentration and climate exposure, while liability risks keep climbing as legal and social expectations evolve. At the same time, motor risk is expected to become comparatively “lower risk,” growing below GDP levels. This shift will fundamentally influence where underwriting capacity is deployed and where pricing and discipline need to be most focused.
Another central theme of the session was how climate change and geopolitics are amplifying tail risk and volatility. Climate‑driven catastrophe losses could increase by 90% to 120% in some markets, with property premiums potentially rising by 30% to 40% as a result. When combined with macro‑economic shocks, such as oil‑driven inflation or recessionary pressures, these factors can exacerbate social fragility and increase the likelihood of unrest, creating compounding and correlated risks.
Beyond the content itself, what truly stood out was the level of interaction in the room. Strong attendance translated into thought provoking questions and robust discussion during the Q&A, reinforcing the value of in‑person engagement.
Brokers were able to interrogate the implications of these global trends within a local South African context, making the learning immediately practical and relevant.
As we continue our 2026 education journey, this session marked a powerful starting point.
#AspireTogether is about learning, engaging, and growing collectively strengthening industry knowledge, deepening partnerships, and navigating an increasingly volatile world with clarity and confidence.
Sheldon Prince – HDI Global SA Ltd
