Magazine

Read the latest edition of AIR and MEIR as an Interactive e-book

Feb 2026

News


MENA

Middle East: Capacity expands at 1 Jan property reinsurance renewal

The 1 January renewal season in the property reinsurance market witnessed a notable increase in capacity from existing and new local carriers, as well as MGAs, according to Gallagher Re.
 


Algeria: Insurers usher in 2026 with launch of AI hub

The Algerian Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies (UAR) has formed a hub for innovation and artificial intelligence (AI).
 


Egypt: New licensing rules tighten oversight of insurance and non-bank financial sectors

The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has issued a resolution, amending some provisions of a 2024 regulation, regarding the controls for granting and maintaining licences for companies operating in non-banking financial activities, including insurance.
 


Egypt: First microinsurer to be launched in 2Q2026

Post Investment Company -- the investment arm of the Egyptian Post -- and AXA Egypt plan to obtain the final licence for Sawa Microinsurance Company and launch the joint venture in the second quarter of 2026.
 


Jordan: MEICO leaves motor insurance branch

The Middle East Insurance Company (MEICO) announced a strategic decision to fully discontinue its motor insurance licence effective 1 January 2026, following an in-depth study by the board of directors and executive management.
 


Kuwait: New health insurance rules take effect, doubling the premium rate

Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has introduced new regulations to hike health insurance premiums for expatriate residents, which will ease government budgetary pressure and support the private health insurance sector.
 


Lebanon inches up in global insurance rankings in 2024

Lebanon ranked 64th out of the 72 largest insurance markets worldwide in terms of premiums in 2024, 37th among 45 emerging markets, and 10th among 13 Arab markets.
 


Morocco: Bancassurance sector, including bancatakaful, maintains growth trend

The bancassurance sector in Morocco maintained its growth momentum, registering a 6.6% increase in 2024. 
 


Oman establishes International Financial Centre by royal decree

Oman’s Head of State, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who is also the country’s Prime Minister, has issued a Royal Decree establishing the International Financial Centre of Oman (IFC Oman) and enacting its own dedicated law.
 


Palestine: Regulator sets new rules for senior insurance appointments

The Palestine Capital Market Authority (PCMA) has issued a resolution, setting out the requirements for the appointment of senior executive management and key employees in insurance companies.
 


Saudi Arabia: Chubb Arabia's board approves 10% stake in reinsurance venture

Chubb Arabia Cooperative Insurance has announced that its board of directors has granted in-principle approval to participate in a 10% equity investment in a new reinsurance company in Saudi Arabia.
 


Saudi Arabia: Bupa Arabia to be restructured to support integrated healthcare strategy

The board of Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co (Bupa Arabia), one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest insurers, has recommended a corporate restructuring consisting of a demerger into two companies.
 


Tunisia: Biggest insurer doubles its share capital to over US$17m

The Tunisian Insurance and Reinsurance Company (Star Assurances) has announced two major decisions concerning its share capital which would be implemented soon.
 


Turkiye: Insurance industry surpasses threshold in premium income in 2025

The Turkish insurance market generated total premiums of TRY1.22tn ($28.3bn) in 2025, shooting past the TYR1tn milestone, according to statistics released by the Insurance Association of Turkiye (TBS). The total represents a 45.8% nominal increase compared to 2024.
 


Turkiye: Insurance market set for strong expansion in 2026

2026 is poised to be a year of significant growth for the insurance sector in terms of risk management, digital transformation and sustainability, according to the President of the Insurance Association of Turkiye (TSB), Mr Ugur Gulen, outlining his expectations of the industry for 2026.
 


UAE: Strong growth prospects for insurance sector in 2026 and beyond

The UAE insurance industry will witness further growth and development in 2026 and thereafter, Mr Khaled Mohammed Al Badi, Chairman of the Emirates Insurance Federation (EIF) and the Gulf Insurance Federation, has said.
 


Global

Global reinsurance profits forecast to fall in 2026 amid moderately weaker operating conditions

Global reinsurers’ profitability will decline but remain strong in 2026, as 1 January contract renewals confirmed further reductions in risk-adjusted prices across most lines, according to Fitch Ratings. 
 


AI-driven threats push cyber underwriters toward new risk frameworks

Underwriters are expected to focus on AI risk management this year, says Gallagher in a report on the cyber insurance market.
 


Engagement, Innovation, Value: three forces reshaping insurance in 2026

Insurers need to focus on three interconnected imperatives to stay competitive in today’s evolving landscape that is driven by the push for stronger engagement, innovation and customer value, according to Capgemini Research Institute.
 


Green insurance to help farmers reduce pesticide use

The results of tests of a green insurance system show that insurance could facilitate the experimentation and adoption of innovations and practices that reduce pesticide use.
 


Takaful

Global: Takaful assets expand by at least 15% in 2025

The takaful sector experienced steady growth during 2025, with global takaful assets expanding at an estimated rate of 15–17% year on year, according to Mr Zubair Mughal, an expert in Islamic banking and finance.
 


Egypt: Wethaq Takaful Insurance sees its capital rising to nearly US$16m within 3 years

Wethaq Takaful Insurance Company-Egypt (Wethaq Egypt) aims to increase its issued capital to EGP750m ($15.9m) within the next three years to boost its financial solvency and support future growth plans, according to Mr Antar Gad, the company’s Chairman.
 


Egypt: METLICO to increase issued capital to over US$8m

Shareholders of Misr Emirates Life Takaful–SALAMA (METLICO) have approved increasing the company’s authorised and paid-up capital to EGP400m ($8.4m) at an extraordinary general assembly meeting.
 


Indonesia: Growth opportunities abound in Shariah insurance market

The Islamic insurance industry in Indonesia will be tested in various fundamental areas as it enters 2026, according to the Head of the Islamic Reinsurance Research and Development Division of the Indonesian Islamic Insurance Association (AASI), Ms Tati Febriyanti.
 


Kuwait: Insurance regulator forms Shariah supervisory advisory panel

Kuwait’s Insurance Regulatory Unit (IRU) has issued a resolution to establish a Shariah supervisory advisory committee to review regulatory decisions related to takaful insurance and Shariah-compliant insurance activities.
 


Nigeria: Regulator calls for greater takaful participation

Insurance Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, has advised takaful players be ready to tackle key challenges confronting the market, through increased participation and awareness creation.
 


Oman: Takaful Oman issues 2nd perpetual sukuk series at lower indicative profit rate

Takaful Oman Insurance has issued and listed its Series 2 perpetual sukuk from which it raised OMR6m ($15.6m). 
 


Pakistan: Pak-Qatar General Takaful to be listed

Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited (PQGTL) launched its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to raise up to PKR420m ($1.5m). The overall issue was subscribed over 10 times. 
 


Pak-Qatar Family Takaful is first family takaful operator to list on Pakistan's bourse

Pak-Qatar Family Takaful (PQFTL) made its debut on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on 31 December 2025.  It is the only dedicated family takaful operator to list on the bourse.
 


Turkiye: Participation insurance grows by over 22% in real terms in first 11 months of 2025

Participation insurance (takaful) companies generated TRY59.6bn ($1.38bn) in contributions aduring the first 11 months of 2025, climbing by 22.6% in real terms compared to the corresponding period of 2024, according to data released by the Insurance Association of Turkiye.