Sheila Byenkya is a powerhouse in transformation and project management, serving as Head of Transformation & Project Management at ZEP‑RE (PTA Re insurance Company) since 2018. With nearly two decades of experience in engineering and commercial roles—most notably at Hima Cement—she now leads strategy execution, innovation, and sustainable insurance solutions across the region .
Engineering Roots Meet Strategic Leadership
Sheila holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Makerere University and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School. She began her career at Hima Cement, swiftly rising to manage the expansion of their Rwandan concrete business and later leading a major capacity-increase project that doubled production
Leading Inclusive Insurance Innovation
At ZEP‑RE, Sheila oversees the implementation of the company’s 1-billion regional strategy—driving initiatives that expand insurance access, agricultural resilience, and SME support. Her strategic leadership was pivotal in launching the Collateral Replacement Indemnity (CRI) solution, which has enabled over 4,000 families across 11 African countries to secure mortgages, unlocking more than USD 30 million in affordable housing loans
“I was honoured to add my voice… in increasing access to financing for affordable home ownership,” Sheila shared after presenting CRI at the Bancassurance Association of Kenya Breakfast
Fostering Partnerships & Resilience
Sheila has been instrumental in forging strategic partnerships with major development finance institutions. Notably, she helped secure a €10 million credit line and €500 k technical cooperation agreement with AFD—designed to scale insurance solutions in climate risk and agriculture across COMESA nations.
She continues advocating inclusive insurance, sharing insights on microinsurance opportunity gaps in Africa and emphasizing innovation, PPPs, and regulatory enablers
Mentor, Moderator & Innovator
Sheila is passionate about leadership and mentorship, regularly celebrating women engineers (#INWED21) and supporting junior professionals
Most recently, she served as a judge at ZEP‑RE’s Innovation Hub Demo Day during the Inclusive Fintech Forum 2025 in Kigali—spotlighting fintech innovators addressing key socio-economic challenges through tech and inclusion.
Why Sheila Moves Nations
- Strategy & Transformation: Executes multi-country insurance strategies at scale
- Financial Inclusion: Enables home ownership via innovative risk solutions
- Partnerships & Funding: Secures development partnerships to expand climate-resilient insurance
- Mentorship & Innovation: Empowers tech-driven leaders and rising professionals
Sheila exemplifies the spirit of #WomenWhoMoveNations: grounded in engineering excellence, rising to regional leadership, and leaving a transformative legacy in insurance, climate resilience, and inclusive development across Africa. Her work not only protects assets—it builds stronger, more equitable societies.
