Our Heritage
ICEA LION Group is a one-stop financial services provider offering innovative products and services in insurance, pensions, investments and trusts. The group was formed as a result of business reorganization involving Lion of Kenya Insurance Company Limited (LOK) and Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA) in 2012.
With roots dating back to 1895, ICEA LION was integral to the dawn of commercial progress and opportunity in East Africa and we have continued to shape the region’s financial landscape since then. As such, we have decades of experience in helping discerning individuals protect and create their wealth. We have done so by keeping an eye firmly on the future and embracing innovation to craft financial products that we know meet our clients’ diverse and dynamic needs in today’s constantly changing world.
Our Brand Promise
Through every life changing moment, we are better together
Mission
To protect & create wealth
Vision
To be the leading Pan African provider of insurance and financial services
Our Core Values
We See Through The Eyes Of The Customer
Our People Are Important To Us
We Deliver On Our Promises
We Champion Integrity
Our Milestones
1895
The roots of Lion of Kenya (now ICEA LION General Insurance) can be traced to the very beginnings of the insurance industry in Kenya. In 1895 Smith Mackenzie & Company were appointed local Lloyd’s agents in Mombasa. The agency eventually evolved into a Royal Exchange Insurance Company branch. In later years, this merged with Guardian Assurance, Atlas Assurance, Caledonian Insurance, Employers Liability Assurance and Commercial Union, among others, to form the Guardian Royal Exchange and Commercial Union groups in East Africa.
1950's
In the 1950s, we operated as Joint Marine Office where ICEA LION’s predecessors Guardian Royal Exchange and commercial groups in East Africa comprised the majority.
1987
With the introduction of the Incorporation Act in 1978, these groups, which had been run jointly, were converted into a local company, Lion of Kenya Insurance Company Limited, which would soon emerge as a well-respected brand within general insurance circles in the Kenyan market.
2012
Lion of Kenya was later renamed ICEA LION General Insurance in 2012 following business reorganisation with its sister company Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA). To enhance growth through wider regional representation, in 1998, when the Tanzania market was opened for private investors, the company invested in a subsidiary – Lion of Tanzania, now ICEA LION General Insurance Company Limited. This was a joint venture with Tanzania Development.
2021
ICEA Life Assurance, ICEA General Insurance and ICEA Asset Management are renamed ICEA LION Life Assurance, ICEA LION General Insurance and ICEA LION Asset Management, in line with the Mother Brand
2021
US based global financial services leader Prudential Financial, Inc. through Leapfrog Strategic Africa Investments (LSAI) acquired a 24% stake in ICEA LION Insurance Holdings Limited. This partnership is expected to support the ICEA LION Group’s strategy of focusing on customer connectivity, growth and innovation, digitization, development of new products and enhancement of operating synergies throughout its various operations.
1964
Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA) was established in 1964 by Eagle Star Insurance Company, both of the UK, and the New Zealand Insurance Company. The Company was incorporated on 10th November 1964
1965
ICEA started writing general business on 1st January 1965
1966
ICEA started writing life business in 1966
1976
In 1976, the Company’s foreign shareholders sold their interests to a group of pioneering local investors, making ICEA the first privately owned local insurance company.
1980
ICEA innovates to offer employee related benefits, outside the realm of products and services the company traditionally provided as a conventional composite insurer. A subsidiary, aptly named Employee Benefit Trustees (EBT) Limited, was established in the early 1980s. EBT offered such diverse services as segregated pension fund management; staff car loan management scheme; managed medical benefits schemes; corporate and estate trusteeship; private trust management; and pension scheme administration.
2000
In the wake of market and regulatory changes, EBT went through a metamorphosis. It initially transformed itself into ICEA Investment Services Limited.
2000
As business re-organization between ICEA and Lion of Kenya (LOK) gave birth to ICEA LION Life Assurance & ICEA LION General Insurance respectively; Both form ICEA LION Group. As part of this reorganization, the company was renamed ICEA LION Asset Management Limited.
2012
As business re-organization between ICEA and Lion of Kenya (LOK) gave birth to ICEA LION Life Assurance & ICEA LION General Insurance respectively; Both form ICEA LION Group. As part of this reorganization, the company was renamed ICEA LION Asset Management Limited.
2020
ITSL Trust Company Limited was renamed ICEA LION Trust Company to align with the mother brand ICEA LION Group.
1964
Insurance Company of East Africa (ICEA) was established in 1964 by Eagle Star Insurance Company, both of the UK, and the New Zealand Insurance Company. The Company was incorporated on 10th November 1964
1965
ICEA started writing general business on 1st January 1965
1966
ICEA started writing life business in 1966
1976
In 1976, the Company’s foreign shareholders sold their interests to a group of pioneering local investors, making ICEA the first privately owned local insurance company.
1980
In the wake of market and regulatory changes, EBT went through a metamorphosis. It initially transformed itself into ICEA Investment Services Limited.
2000
In the wake of market and regulatory changes, EBT went through a metamorphosis. It initially transformed itself into ICEA Investment Services Limited.
2000
With the passage of time, trusteeship and scheme administration activities were hived off into a separate business entity, which initially was known as Compac Consultants Limited. Later this was renamed ICEA Trustee Services Limited and later ITSL Trust Company Limited.
2012
As business re-organization between ICEA and Lion of Kenya (LOK) gave birth to ICEA LION Life Assurance & ICEA LION General Insurance respectively; Both form ICEA LION Group. As part of this reorganization, the company was renamed ICEA LION Asset Management Limited.
2020
ITSL Trust Company Limited was renamed ICEA LION Trust Company to align with the mother brand ICEA LION Group.
1964
The roots of Lion of Kenya (now ICEA LION General Insurance) can be traced to the very beginnings of the insurance industry in Kenya. In 1895 Smith Mackenzie Company were appointed local Lloyd’s agents in Mombasa. The agency eventually evolved into a Royal Exchange Insurance Company branch. In later years, this merged with Guardian Assurance, Atlas Assurance, Caledonian Insurance, Employers Liability Assurance and Commercial Union, among others, to form the Guardian Royal Exchange and Commercial Union groups in East Africa.
1965
ICEA started writing general business on 1st January 1965
1966
ICEA started writing life business in 1966
1976
In 1976, the Company’s foreign shareholders sold their interests to a group of pioneering local investors, making ICEA the first privately owned local insurance company.
1980
ICEA innovates to offer employee related benefits, outside the realm of products and services the company traditionally provided as a conventional composite insurer. A subsidiary, aptly named Employee Benefit Trustees (EBT) Limited, was established in the early 1980s. EBT offered such diverse services as segregated pension fund management; staff car loan management scheme; managed medical benefits schemes; corporate and estate trusteeship; private trust management; and pension scheme administration.
2000
In the wake of market and regulatory changes, EBT went through a metamorphosis. It initially transformed itself into ICEA Investment Services Limited.
2000
With the passage of time, trusteeship and scheme administration activities were hived off into a separate business entity, which initially was known as Compac Consultants Limited. Later this was renamed ICEA Trustee Services Limited and later ITSL Trust Company Limited.
2012
As business re-organization between ICEA and Lion of Kenya (LOK) gave birth to ICEA LION Life Assurance & ICEA LION General Insurance respectively; Both form ICEA LION Group. As part of this reorganization, the company was renamed ICEA LION Asset Management Limited.
2020
ITSL Trust Company Limited was renamed ICEA LION Trust Company to align with the mother brand ICEA LION Group.
Our Awards
ICEA LION Group is one of the most awarded insurance and financial services companies in East Africa. This is a testament to our pursuit of excellence in all spheres.
