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Crawford Dougall Joins the Rail Working Group

The Rail Working Group is pleased to welcome Crawford Dougall Insurance Brokers as its newest member.

Established in South Africa in 1989, Crawford Dougall is a leading specialty insurance broker with a deeply rooted African footprint and a prominent international presence, including a licensed retail and reinsurance brokerage in London with Lloyd’s of London accreditation.

Crawford Dougall has spent years pioneering innovation in product design, implementation, and bespoke policy wording specifically tailored to the unique demands of the African rail sector. Under the leadership of CEO Simon Dougall, the firm has developed a specialized practice focusing on rolling stock risk, notably addressing critical structural gaps in traditional asset coverage. Their tailored solutions provide robust financial and legal security for operators, lessors, and the banks investing billions in regional fleet expansions.

The firm’s membership arrives at a transformative moment for railway infrastructure in Southern Africa. Following the recent ratifications of the Luxembourg Rail Protocol by South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, regional transport networks are actively transitioning toward open network access and private sector participation. Crawford Dougall’s deep understanding of operational rail risks and global reinsurance capacity represents a vital addition to the RWG’s mission.

To support the practical rollout of the Protocol on the continent, Crawford Dougall will also be nominating a key technical specialist from their team to join the South African Contact Group.

Simon Dougall, CEO of Crawford Dougall, commented:

“We are delighted to join the Rail Working Group. Our team has focused intensely on designing innovative, best-in-class insurance solutions that are genuinely fit-for-purpose for rail owners, operators, and financiers across Africa. As the Luxembourg Rail Protocol and URVIS framework build momentum, we look forward to collaborating closely with the RWG to mitigate credit and asset risks, streamline cross-border operations, and safely unlock private capital for the region.”

We welcome Simon and the entire Crawford Dougall team to our global network of experts and look forward to their valuable contributions in the years ahead.