About Us

Connecting and developing entrepreneurs, insurance companies, underwriting agencies and insurtech companies in the insurance ecosystem.

Who We Are

  • Strategic Investment arm of Hannover Reinsurance Group Africa in conjunction with Mahogany Private Equity.
  • We secure premium income for Hannover Re by means of shareholding in UMAs and insurtech businesses.
  • Insurance (Life and Non-life), specialist/niche focussed underwriting agency (UMA) and insurtech – focussed investment company.
  • We have a 30-year track record of investing in businesses and partnering with entrepreneurs.
  • We are considered the pioneer of the Underwriting Agency model in South Africa.
  • We are among the first local investors to invest in South African Insurtech starts ups.
  • We have an experienced board, management team and corporate finance professionals.
  • We take a value adding, “skin in the game” partnership approach which results in aligned interests.

What We Do

We invest in start-up and mature businesses that support the strategy of Hannover Re in the following ways:

  • Generate sustainable and profitable reinsurance premium for Hannover Re, including Life and P&C business.
  • Enhance profitability of underwriting portfolios through better risk management, risk quantification, risk selection as well as pricing for the reinsurer and its risk carrier partners.
  • Generate profitable returns for all stakeholders.
  • Create new markets, new products and distribution channels for insurance products.
  • Create employment opportunities for talented entrepreneurs and their staff.

How We Do It

  • We have a proven track record and team with extensive experience in insurance, corporate finance, business strategy and corporate governance.
  • We have access to insurance and reinsurance experts as well as actuaries and technology experts within the local and international Hannover Re network.
  • We support our businesses in their financial, operational, strategic, growth, expansion and corporate governance activities.
  • We have long standing relationships in the insurance industry with local and international partners via Hannover Re.

Interesting Facts About Lireas

Interesting Facts About Lireas

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Business Investments
Invested in 63 business in the
30 years of our existence
(20 non insurance).
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Businesses Started
Started 52 businesses in
conjunction with entrepreneurs,
insurers and other investors.
0
UMA's Investments
Invested in 39 UMAs
(including 3 of the biggest 5
in South Africa).
0
Insurtechs
Pioneered investment in
Insurtechs locally - Invested
in 5 Insurtechs to date.
0
%
IRR Achieved
IRR achieved by UMAs
over 30 years.
0
+
Jobs Created
Created in excess of 1,700+
jobs over the 30 years.
0
Insurance Partners
Partnered with 11 insurance
companies in the last 30 years.
0
+
Awards & Recognition
Lireas has received various
awards and recognition.
R
0
Billion
Premium Generated
Premium generated
since 1988.

Shareholders

Hannover Reinsurance Group Africa

Hannover Re is one of the largest reinsurers in Africa and holds a 70% stake in Lireas. Hannover Re combines the expertise and security of a German global reinsurer with traditional South African values. Hannover Re is 100% owned by Hannover Ruck SE, the third largest reinsurer in the world with operations in over 50 Countries.
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Mahogany Private Equity

Mahogany is a diversified private equity firm with interests in a number of industries including insurance. Mahogany provides invaluable strategic guidance and additional corporate finance expertise to the Lireas team.  Mahogany is a black empowered company and Lireas together with the Hannover Re group are proud to have them as a partner in our transformation strategy.