In a landmark achievement for Liberia, Mr. Habib Dia, Head of the ECOWAS Brown Card Liberia Office and Managing Director of Sunu Assurance Liberia Limited, has been elected Vice President of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme. His election occurred on November 20, 2024, during the 40th General Assembly of the Scheme held in Lomé, Togo.
Mr. Dia’s election signifies a pivotal moment for Liberia, highlighting its growing leadership within the regional insurance framework. The ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme, designed to facilitate seamless cross-border movement and provide motor vehicle insurance coverage across member states, is crucial in fostering regional integration and cooperation.
Speaking after his election, Mr. Dia expressed deep gratitude for his peers' confidence in him and pledged to enhance the Scheme’s operations across ECOWAS member states. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to address challenges and ensure that the Scheme continues to deliver essential services to road users throughout the region.
The 40th General Assembly convened representatives from all ECOWAS member states to address pressing issues, review the Scheme’s progress, and strategize for future development. Mr. Dia’s election reflects Liberia’s commitment to regional collaboration and advancing the objectives of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme.
According to Mr. Saah A. Kabba, Executive Secretary of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme Liberia Office, Monrovia will host the 41st General Assembly of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme from November 18 to 22, 2025.
Mr. Kabba explained that Liberia secured the Vice Presidency position during the 40th Annual General Assembly held in Lomé, Togo, due to the proactive leadership of Liberia’s Minister of Transport, Hon. Sirleaf Ralph Tyler. The Minister mandated that all motor insurance companies in Liberia ensure the issuance of an ECOWAS Brown Card as a prerequisite for registering and insuring motor vehicles nationwide.
One of the key resolutions adopted at the Assembly was the decision to digitalize the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme’s operations. This initiative aims to modernize the system by replacing physical paperwork with digital processes, thereby improving efficiency and service delivery. The move toward digitalization is expected to streamline the Scheme’s functions and enhance user experience across member states.
In a separate development, three ECOWAS member states—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—have temporarily suspended their participation in the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme. This decision, driven by ongoing political and economic instability in these countries, poses a significant challenge to the organization.
The suspension reduces the number of active member states from 14 to 11, impacting the Scheme’s regional cohesion. This situation raises concerns about the ability of road users to access adequate insurance coverage while traveling within the ECOWAS sub-region, particularly in the affected areas. Stakeholders at the Assembly recognized these challenges and emphasized the importance of engaging with the suspended states to encourage their reinstatement. They called for dialogue and collaborative solutions to restore stability and ensure the Scheme’s continued success.
As the newly elected Vice President, Mr. Dia is expected to play a critical role in addressing these challenges and strengthening the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme. His leadership will be vital in navigating the organization through this transitional period and ensuring its resilience and long-term sustainability. Alongside other regional executives, Mr. Dia’s efforts will focus on fostering cooperation, enhancing operational efficiency, and promoting the Scheme’s goals of regional integration and economic development.
Mr. Dia’s election and the resolutions adopted at the General Assembly underscore a renewed commitment to advancing the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme’s mission and ensuring it remains a cornerstone of regional collaboration and progress.