Mohammed Salman
ACRE Africa
Mohammed Salman – Member of the Business Council for Banking and Trade Finance
Mohammed Salman, serving as the Country Manager for ACRE Africa, is at the forefront of revolutionizing agricultural insurance and risk management solutions in Africa. His journey in the industry began as a Graduate trainee with the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation in 2015, evolving through significant roles that have seen him lead as the Group Head of Agricultural Insurance Department with Group Cornerstone Insurance, one of Nigeria’s top three insurance companies. Here, he managed an agriculture insurance portfolio with an impressive growth rate of 178% for the year 2021/2022.
Mohammed’s educational background is robust, with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Kwara State University, Nigeria, a Mini-MBA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Lagos Business School – Pan Atlantic University, and certifications from ECOCERT France and the London School of Insurance. His participation as a 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in the United States further underscores his commitment to agricultural development and insurance.
His work on key projects, notably the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria, showcases his expertise in deploying Area Yield Index Insurance and advisory services as effective tools for risk management. Mohammed’s professional accomplishments have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his participation in a roundtable and policy drafting session with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, where he represented Nigerian youth as a food security expert. This session culminated in significant contributions to discussions on mitigating severe food crises, highlighting Mohammed’s pivotal role in shaping agricultural and food security policies.
The agricultural insurance industry in Nigeria, according to Mohammed, is ripe for expansion, given its critical role in the economy and the challenges posed by climate change and market fragmentation. He envisions a future where the sector, currently generating $10m in insurance premium, could potentially reach $600m annually, emphasizing the need for effective distribution strategies to cover the expansive market.
Mohammed is excited about new technologies and trends, particularly ACRE Africa’s DigiBima, which aims to transform the industry through digitalization, enhancing stakeholder experience and ensuring prompt claims payment. His advice to newcomers in the industry is to be deliberate about their goals and invest in self-development and professional growth through training, workshops, and mentorship.
Handling setbacks with a diplomatic approach and learning from a network of professionals, Mohammed remains inspired by industry leaders and mentors, namely Folashade Joseph, Nasir Song, Farid Wangara, Ewan Wheeler, and Ayoola Fatona, who have shaped his perspective and approach in the field. Outside his professional life, he enjoys reading, traveling, and swimming, reflecting a well-rounded personality committed to both personal and professional excellence.
As a valued member of the Banking, Finance, and Trade Finance Business Council in the International Trade Council, Mohammed Salman’s contributions to ACRE Africa and the broader agricultural insurance landscape in Africa are indicative of his visionary leadership and dedication to fostering resilience and innovation in agriculture across the continent.