GCR assigns Ethiopia’s insurance sector risk score at 2.75
Summary
Nairobi, 14 December 2021: GCR Ratings (“GCR”) has assigned the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Insurance Sector Risk Score for the first time at 2.75.
The Insurance sector risk score (ranging from 0 to 15) is a key factor in the operating environment component score. The core of the GCR Ratings Framework is based on GCR’s opinion that an entity’s operating environment largely frames its creditworthiness. As a result, the operating environment analysis anchors the underlying risk score for the GCR rating methodology. GCR combines elements of the country risk and sectoral risk analysis, blended across countries for entities operating across multiple jurisdictions, to anchor an insurer to its current operating conditions. For more details on any of the above, please read the related criteria and research listed below.
GCR periodically publishes updated “Insurance Sector Risk Scores”, which will supersede previous publications. The publication titled “GCR Insurance Sector Risk Scores, 14 December 2021”, available at https://gcrratings.com/risk-scores/, supersedes the article published on 30 September 2021.
Insurance sector risk scores
Republic of Ethiopia, Sector Risk Score 2.75. Country Risk Score 3.25*, Mapping Table 3.00 to 3.25
Ethiopia’s sector risk score of ‘2.75’ reflects an intermediate regulatory environment, underpinned by rule based solvency requirements and moderate enforcement of positive regulations such no premium no cover. The market has limited depth relative to its peers, evidenced by an insurance density of less than USD10 and penetration of less than 1%. Earnings risk is however viewed to be low, characterised by positive underwriting margins and good investment returns. Barriers to entry are deemed to be high, due to local ownership rules that require (re)insurers to be owned by nationals or organisations wholly owned by nationals. With eighteen players in the short term market, more than 25% of the gross premiums are concentrated within a state owned insurer. Due to macro-economic challenges, the industry registered a slightly negative five year compounded real growth rate at FY20/FY21.
Analytical contacts
Primary Analyst
David Mungai Mburu
Analyst: Insurance Ratings
Nairobi, Kenya
DavidM@GCRratings.com
+27 11 784 1771
Primary Analyst
Matthew Pirnie
Group Head of Ratings
Johannesburg, South Africa
MatthewP@GCRratings.com
+27 11 784 1771
Related criteria and research
Criteria for the GCR Ratings Framework, May 2019
Criteria for Rating Insurance Companies, May 2019
GCR Ratings Scales, Symbols & Definitions, May 2019
GCR Country Risk Scores, December 2021
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