Outstanding business woman

Delphine Maïdou.

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) Africa CEO, Delphine Maïdou received the Outstanding Woman Leadership Award at the 5th Africa Leadership Awards held in Le Meridien, Mauritius on 9 December 2015. Delphine has consistently been ranked as one of the top economic leaders for tomorrow by the Choiseul 100 Africa study.

The awards celebrate exceptional female leadership based on distinct innovations and initiatives they brought in across various sectors of the economy. They are granted to women who have the vision, flair, acumen and professionalism to demonstrate excellent leadership and management skills in an organisation, making changes and achieving results.

“I’d like to thank the Africa Leadership Awards for rewarding the sterling efforts that individuals play within the corporate environment. I am particularly pleased with the emphasis they place in recognising the difference and impact that women make in business and in society,” said Maïdou who has been heading the Johannesburg-based company since 2012.

“Ultimately, leadership is about showing the way and I have been fortunate to have mentors and coaches, who continually guide me and a great team who work together with me to achieve the vision of Allianz in Africa when it comes to corporate and industrial insurance. I hope the work of the Africa Leadership Awards will inspire all within the continent to work harder together to add more value to our economy and society.”

The Africa Leadership Awards are researched by a group of experienced academics and professionals. They produce a shortlist of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the conception, creation and execution of digital and leadership initiatives. The shortlist is then reviewed by a jury comprising of senior professionals from blue chip organisations across the globe.

In addition to being CEO of AGCS Africa, Delphine also oversees Allianz’s Global Lines Strategy in Africa, which provides corporate, specialty, credit, reinsurance, travel and assistance risk solutions in the continent through AGCS, Euler Hermes, and Allianz Global Assistance. Since taking over leadership of the business, she has achieved major milestones with her team, which has grown from 17 to 64 people.

“We have assembled arguably the best team on the continent and have together gained a sizable market share within the corporate and insurance market in Africa. A significant number of the top 100 companies in Africa are our clients. Our goal is to grow with our clients, which will enable us get closer to our vision of being the corporate and industrial insurer of choice in Africa,” said Maïdou.