Prudential Plc, one of the oldest and most strongly capitalised life insurance companies in the world, achieved double-digit growth in 2015.

IFRS operating profit rose 22 per cent to £4 billion following strong sales throughout the world. In Asia, which led the company’s growth, IFRS operating profit grew 17 per cent to £1.3 billion and double-digit sales increases were achieved in 8 out of 12 markets.

Prudential launched in Ghana and Kenya in 2014, in Uganda last year and reached an agreement in January to purchase Professional Life Assurance in Zambia.

The insurance company has also formed partnerships with Societe Generale, Fidelity Bank and Cal Bank in Ghana; Standard Chartered in Kenya; and Crane Bank in Uganda.

Under these agreements, Prudential’s range of market-leading long-term savings and protection products will be available to the banks’ customers through their branches.

Commenting on the results, Mike Wells, Group Chief Executive, said: “The disciplined execution of our strategy, underpinned by the cash generating nature of our business, positions us well to be able to continue to deliver high-quality products and services to our 24 million insurance customers and long-term profitable growth to our shareholders.”

Prudential Plc is incorporated in England and Wales, and its affiliated companies constitute one of the world's leading financial services groups, serving around 24 million insurance customers.

It has £509 billion of assets under management (as at 31 December 2015). Prudential plc is listed on stock exchanges in London, Hong Kong, Singapore and New York.