Eighteen years ago, Octagon started with a simple
belief: everyone deserves a dignified retirement, and
financial wellness should be a right, not a privilege.
That conviction has guided us through ups and
downs, cementing a guiding truth: we must keep
moving forward and growing.
Standing still just isn’t an option in 2025.
This year, we’ve seen real progress in Kenya,
especially with the growth from NSSF Tier II
contracting out. Our insurance business is also
thriving thanks to new medical schemes coming on
board through valued partnerships. These wins
didn’t happen by chance. They reflect deliberate
focus, clarity of purpose, and the strength of our
offering.
For us, innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s how we
do business. That’s why I was especially proud when
Octagon Insurance Brokers was recognized as the
Best Broker in Technology Application at the Think
Business Insurance Awards, a testament to our
commitment to leveraging technology to better
serve our clients. In 2022, Octagon Pension Services
was also honored with the Digital Transformation
Award at the Top 100 Awards, further affirming our
dedication to driving innovation in the retirement
savings space.
These recognitions aren’t just trophies, they are
validation that we’re serious about creating services
that truly meet our clients’ needs, not in the distant
future, but today.
One of my personal highlights this year was seeing
our second group of mentees graduate from
Octagon’s mentorship program. To us, mentorship
is more than just another HR initiative; it’s our way of
sharing knowledge and building future leaders.
Some of these young professionals are already
making a name for themselves in the industry, and
it’s rewarding to watch them, and Octagon grow
together.
Our digital journey has taken a big step forward. We
launched a revamped onboarding process, using
OTP authentication and audit trails to make joining
Octagon easier and more secure. It might sound
technical, but at the heart of it, it’s about trust. Every
secure interaction deepens the trust our clients
place in us, and that’s what sustains relationships for
the long haul.
We have made training of trustees, HR Managers
and members on the usage of our applications
intentional, to ensure all of us benefit from the
digitization process.
We’re also delivering strong investment
performance across the region. In Kenya, our
umbrella fund achieved an impressive 13.8% return,
outpacing many competitors. Uganda’s umbrella
fund posted a solid 13.06%, while Zambia’s Africa 53
Pension Fund delivered a remarkable 25% interest,
well ahead of the 16.7% inflation rate. These results
reflect our disciplined strategy and unwavering
commitment to growing our members’ wealth.
None of this happens without a dedicated team. Our
small but mighty Uganda team has signed up
several new clients. We’re seeing strong client
growth in Zambia as well. And In Kenya, our team
has become more cohesive, especially with the
appointment of Davis Ongiro as Acting CEO in
February. It’s all about working as one to make our
clients happy, and I believe we are on the right track.
Looking ahead, we’re ready for more. In Zambia’s
plans are underway to expand our footprint in the
country to reach more SMEs . We plan to postion
ourselves strategically in Uganda, to serve the
growing oil and energy sector. And in Kenya, we aim
to grow our NSSF Tier 2 book and continue building
strong teams.
More than expanding our footprint, we’re
committed to making financial tools available to
everyone, from large corporations to the smallest
SMEs in remote towns. Imagine an SME owner in
Garissa signing up employees for a pension scheme
with just a few clicks. Picture a farmer in Uganda
investing in our “Sente’Yo” a short-term savings
product tailored to their seasonal income. This is the
Africa we are building, powered by innovation that
meets people where they are. That’s what real
inclusion looks like.
When I think of 18 years, I think of a young adult
stepping into the world, full of possibilities. That is
exactly how I feel about Octagon today. Deciding to
build our own tech platform years ago, the Octagon
Pension Administration System, changed
everything:
Octagon Engage Newsletter 2025 – Feature News
That single move unlocked scale, improved
efficiency, and helped, acquire businesses like
Alexander Forbes Zambia while offering seamless
convenience to our clients. It’s been a
game-changer in how we deliver pension services
across the region.
Our biggest strength has always been our people.
From mentorship and leadership training to
collaborating across countries, we’ve focused on
empowering our staff. That’s what makes Octagon
more than just a business; it’s a team of builders,
always learning and ready for what’s next.
In the years ahead, I see Octagon leading the way
with new technology in pensions and insurance.
We’re embracing AI and digital tools to reach
millions across the continent. We want to make
saving simple, take fear out of risk, and empower
people to own their financial future. My dream is to
see millions of Africans not just saving for
retirement but receiving lifelong pensions,
becoming financially secure and dignified in their
later years. Nothing inspires me more than hearing
someone say, “Because of Octagon, I am living my
dream in retirement.”
To the Octagon family: thank you. You’ve built
something that matters. Every challenge we’ve
turned into an opportunity, every idea we’ve
transformed into a solution. Keep challenging the
norm, keep pushing boundaries, and remember,
innovation is not an event; it is a mindset.
And to our clients, thank you for trusting us with
your futures. You are our partners in this story of
innovation. Together, we are changing not just
businesses, but entire communities. Whether
you’re a sponsor, a member, or a trustee, we’re
walking this journey with you, always adapting and
improving.
If I had to sum up 2025 in one word, it would be
innovation. This is our year of transformation, of
putting people at the center of everything we do.
We’re not just looking ahead to the next quarter;
we’re laying the foundation for the next 82 years
and beyond. And we’re doing it together, one idea,
one solution, one life changed at a time.