ABOUT MOMENTUM
Established in 2020, Momentum Insurance Agents (MIA) is a UAE-based general insurance provider. Bridging traditional solutions with digital capabilities, MIA has leveraged the UAE insurance market’s strong regulatory environment, regional leadership, and drive for innovation to expand its offering at speed and at scale. Powered by our specialized expertise, diverse talent pool, and strong technological infrastructure, we provide top-tier, innovative, and agile insurance products and consulting services for clients and partners.
OUR MISSION
To capitalize on our customer service, talent, and technical excellence in building enduring partnerships that are rooted in trust, ethics, and integrity.
OUR VISION
Our footprint
Out of the UAE, we have extended and expanded our footprint to strategic, established, and emerging markets across continents, supported by our globally connected network of partners and suppliers.
OUR LEADERSHIP
“Our commitment goes beyond policies and premiums. In an environment defined by shifting risks and regulations, we’re here to stay – and to support our clients with strategic guidance, specialized expertise, and cross-border solutions built for what’s next. Our model is grounded in agile innovation, technical excellence, and long-term partnership.” – Edward Traboulsi, Chief Executive Officer at Momentum Insurance Agents.
Mohamad
Akoob
Chairman
With over 25 years of experience, Mahomed Akoob brings unique insights in general risk and financial management.
Prior to joining Momentum Insurance Agents as (To confirm title), he was the Managing Director of Bahrain-based Hannover Retakaful B.S.C., a position he steered since 2006. Mahomed also served as the Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Hannover Reinsurance Group Africa (PTY) (2002-2006), and as the General Manager and Executive Director of Munich Reinsurance Company of Africa Limited (1976-2002).
His technical skills encompass strategy-level influence in areas of insurance and reinsurance underwriting, and Takaful and Retakaful. Mahomed is an Associate of the Insurance Institute of South Africa and a Fellow of the Institute of Risk Managers of South Africa. He also serves as a director on several boards of insurance and other companies, including, currently, Hannover Retakaful B.S.C., Bahrain Institute of Banking & Financing (both in Bahrain), Noor Takaful General and Noor Takaful Family (both in the United Arab Emirates).
Earlier in his journey, Mahomed served the directorships of several reputed (re)insurance companies and institutions across the Middle East and Africa, including South African Reserve Bank Captive Insurance Company Limited; Hannover Reinsurance Group Africa (PTY) Limited; Munich Reinsurance Company of Africa; and Bahrain Insurance Association.
He has held numerous professional appointments and memberships, including stints at the Editorial Board of Cover Magazine, a specialist magazine for the insurance industry, and as a Ministerial-level advisor.
Edward
Traboulsi
Chief Executive Officer
Edward Traboulsi brings extensive executive leadership experience to his role, overseeing MIA’s strategic direction, operational excellence, and business growth initiatives.
Prior to his role at MIA, Edward served as Executive Director at Chedid Capital Holding, spearheading new insurance projects across the Middle East and GCC. Previously, he was the General Manager of Assurex Insurance SAL in Beirut, where he was responsible for the company’s strategic management and operational oversight. His established leadership track record includes executive roles at Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. and Alpina Insurance Company (a Zurich Financial Services Group member), where he served as Managing Partner and COO, leading the company's strategic expansion throughout Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
Edward's leadership extends beyond corporate roles; he has held various influential board positions, including Board Member at Emirates Insurance Association, Momentum Insurance PIC (Cayman Islands), and The Lebanese Credit Insurer SAL. His career began in the United States at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, advising on comprehensive insurance and financial planning.
Edward holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance and International Business) from Saint Louis University in Missouri, USA.
touqeer
ali
Deputy CEO, Head of Specialty Lines – UAE, Pakistan & Africa
Touqeer Ali is Deputy CEO of Casual and Financial Lines at Momentum Insurance Agents. With robust technical underwriting expertise, Touqeer drives profitable growth through strategic product development, prudent risk management, and operational excellence.
Touqeer has accumulated extensive experience in the insurance industry, specializing in casualty and financial lines across the UAE, Africa, and Pakistan markets. Prior to joining MIA, Touqeer held senior underwriting positions including AVP - Liability & Specialty at Orient UNB Takaful PJSC, where he was instrumental in enhancing underwriting performance and driving strategic business development initiatives. His earlier roles at Al Ittihad Al Watani (L'Union Nationale) General Insurance Company and Associated Insurance Consultants significantly strengthened his technical knowledge, market insight, and client relationship management capabilities.
Touqeer holds an MBA in Finance, Accounting, and Finance from Preston University, a Bachelor’s degree in Insurance & Risk Management from the University of Punjab, Lahore, and professional certifications from both the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK) and the Insurance Institute of India. His multifaceted background combines strong underwriting acumen, leadership, and a strategic approach to specialty insurance classes.
Nasurudeen
Jameel
Head of Specialty Lines – GCC & Turkey
Nasurudeen Jameel is a seasoned insurance and reinsurance professional with over 25 years of experience across the GCC region, bringing deep expertise in underwriting, treaty placements, and reinsurance strategy. He currently serves as the Head of Specialty Lines – GCC & Turkey at Momentum Insurance Agents.
Before joining Momentum, Jameel held senior underwriting roles at ArgoGlobal Underwriting (Dubai), where he spent seven years managing risk across major accounts including infrastructure and high-profile developments in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Prior to that, he worked at Takaful Re in Dubai as Senior Underwriter, overseeing both treaty and facultative business across GCC, Sudan, and Malaysia. He also spent 16 years at Oman Insurance Company in Dubai as Assistant Manager – Non-Marine Reinsurance, handling reinsurance placements and cessions for large-scale engineering, liability, and general accident portfolios.
Jameel’s core competencies span property, casualty, and specialty lines (including professional indemnity, D&O Liability, and SPPI), with a strong track record in structuring proportional and non-proportional treaty programs. He is recognized for his market knowledge, strong client relationships, and team leadership.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a licensed insurance professional certified by the Insurance Institute of India. His career is backed by a series of advanced reinsurance training programs across the UK, Dubai, and Bahrain.
EMLYN
HOODS
Head of Casualty and Financial Lines – Africa and Asia
As the Head of Casualty & Financial Lines (Africa and Asia) and Head of Political Violence & Terrorism at Momentum Insurance Agents, Emlyn Hoods leads specialized underwriting and strategic initiatives across diverse and high-risk markets in Africa and Asia. He brings over 17 years of extensive experience in the (re)insurance industry, having developed his career through various senior roles in underwriting, direct and facultative broking, and specialty placements.
Before joining Momentum, Emlyn served as Group Head of Specialty Lines at Gulf Insurance Group, overseeing a diverse portfolio including casualty, financial lines, political violence & terrorism, cyber, and affinity for the Middle East and North African markets. His prior experience also includes strategic management roles at Trust Re, where he significantly contributed to underwriting profitability and growth across specialty and affinity lines, leading teams based in Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Earlier in his career, Emlyn held the position of Head of Retail Broking and Global Facultative Reinsurance at Lapis Re Risk Consultants in South Africa. His global exposure is further enhanced by professional engagements with major international insurers and Lloyd’s of London.
Emlyn holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Insurance & Risk Management and Business Finance from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, along with professional certifications from institutions across the UK, USA, and South Africa.
KATIA
GHORAYEB
Operations
Manager
Katia Ghorayeb is a seasoned operations and project management professional, bringing over a decade of experience spanning insurance, digital transformation, and business operations. She currently serves as Operations Manager at Momentum Insurance Agents, where she oversees company-wide operational functions, internal systems, and process optimization to support strategic execution.
Prior to joining MIA, Katia held a series of managerial roles across Lebanon and the UAE. Most recently, she served as Project Manager at Chedid Capital Holding in Beirut, leading cross-functional teams and streamlining operational processes at the group level. Prior to that, she was Operations Manager at HR management platform E-Darat DMCC in Dubai, where she managed compliance, legal, HR, and process development functions to drive efficiency and operational integrity. Earlier in her career, Katia led digital marketing and communications for Chedid Capital and Assurex Insurance, where she drove brand positioning, campaign performance, and internal transformation during periods of organizational change.
Katia holds a bachelor’s degree in Insurance from Saint Joseph University (USJ), along with professional certifications in Project Management, Digital Marketing, and Employer Branding.
HALIS
SEMERCI
Business Development Manager – Turkey
Halis Semerci is an experienced financial lines specialist with over a decade in insurance broking and client advisory, with a core focus on trade credit, surety, and executive liability risks. He currently serves as Business Development Manager at Momentum Insurance Agents, bringing a strong track record in structuring complex insurance programs and fostering multinational client and reinsurer relationships.
Prior to joining MIA, Halis spent more than eight years at Aon Turkey, where he held progressive roles, including Senior Account Manager, and led initiatives across D\&O, cyber, PI, BBB, and cash-in-transit lines of business. He was also the national lead for surety bond solutions. In 2022, he joined Howden Turkey as Associate Director, heading the Financial Lines department and reinsurance operations while advising on large-scale programs for financial institutions and corporates.
Halis’s expertise spans client-facing consulting, risk assessment, reinsurance strategy, and product placement – particularly within financial institutions and credit-heavy sectors.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Marmara University in Istanbul and is currently completing a second degree in International Business.