The 2026 risk landscape continues to be shaped by an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment, now recognised as one of the most significant drivers of risk for insurers. During the recent webcast, experts unpacked how ongoing tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are influencing global markets and, in turn, reshaping insurers’ risk and capital decisions.
While the trajectory of the conflict remains uncertain, whether it resolves, de-escalates or intensifies, its implications are already being felt within the South African insurance landscape. Key factors such as rising Brent crude prices and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz highlight how global disruptions are rapidly transmitting into the local economy, increasing volatility and uncertainty.
The session brought together a diverse panel of specialists who shared in-depth perspectives on how these macroeconomic pressures are filtering through the South African economy and banking sector, and ultimately impacting the solvency, resilience and strategic priorities of insurers.
