Kuwait’s life insurance and fund accumulation market is facing a regulatory shake-up. Companies can no longer rely on old processes—new rules are changing how these products are approved, marketed, and sold, both locally and abroad.

At the centre of this shift is the Kuwait Insurance Regulatory Authority (KIRA), which has introduced Resolution No. 11 of 2025 (KIRA 11/2025). The changes are reshaping the approval process, requiring greater coordination with the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and imposing stricter marketing controls.

Staying ahead means understanding what’s changed—and what these new requirements mean for your business.

The Kuwait Insurance Regulatory Authority (KIRA), under Resolution No. 11 of 2025 (KIRA 11/2025), now requires companies offering life insurance and fund accumulation (FA) products to comply with newly issued regulations. Under KIRA 11/2025, companies must obtain approval from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) before issuing collective investment schemes (CIS) related to life insurance and FA products.

The CMA will review the CIS applications related to life insurance and FA products to determine their classification as CIS products.

Additionally, life insurance and FA companies are prohibited from marketing CIS products within the State of Kuwait or abroad without first obtaining a marketing license from the CMA. A formal application must be submitted to the CMA to obtain the required licenses and reconcile their regulatory status accordingly. These entities must provide KIRA with a certified copy of CMA’s decision within ten (10) working days from the date of issuance.

KIRA also requires that the terms and conditions of existing life insurance and FA products be revised in accordance with the provisions of KIRA 11/2025, and that KIRA be provided with a certified copy of the CMA’s approval of these products within ten (10) working days from the date of issuance

Why it matters:

These new rules expand KIRA’s regulatory authority and align insurance products more closely with Kuwait’s capital markets framework. Companies offering life insurance or fund accumulation products will need to carefully manage their licensing, approval, and compliance obligations under this updated regime.

Our team at ASAR has extensive experience advising on regulatory matters affecting the insurance and financial sectors in Kuwait. If you would like to discuss how these changes impact your business, please contact our team at: asar@asarlegal.com