Newly elected chairperson of the International Co-operative Alliance Africa, McLoud Malonza, has called for stronger regional supply chains and reduced dependence on imports, saying Africa’s long-term prosperity depends on producing more of what it consumes.
Malonza, who also chairs Co-operative Bank Holdings and the Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK) was elected unopposed after securing all 65 votes cast during elections held in Maputo.
In his first address after getting elected, Malonza described his election as a collective mandate for cooperatives to play a more prominent role in Africa’s development agenda.
“Cooperatives remain central to addressing pressing challenges, including youth unemployment, food insecurity, climate change, financial exclusion and inequality,” he said.
He pledged to promote stronger governance, greater youth participation, inclusive leadership and deeper regional integration through cross-border cooperative enterprises.
Malonza said enhanced collaboration among African cooperatives could help unlock the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area while accelerating local production and value addition across the continent.
“Together we can create a stronger cooperative voice in global policy discussions and ensure that cooperatives become key drivers of inclusive growth, social justice and sustainable development across Africa,” he said.
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His election comes at a time of growing debate over how African economies can strengthen resilience against recurring global shocks.
During the conference, delegates expressed concern that many African countries continue to export raw materials while importing finished products and essential consumer goods, leaving their economies exposed to disruptions in global markets.
Participants noted that recent crises including Ebola outbreaks, commodity price shocks, the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran,USA and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have exposed weaknesses in African supply chains, contributing to inflation, foreign exchange shortages and rising food prices across the continent.
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Cooperative leaders argued that the continent’s economic structure remains heavily reliant on exporting unprocessed commodities while importing higher-value manufactured goods, a pattern they said limits industrialization, value addition and job creation.
Discussions also focused on the AfCFTA, which aims to create a single market spanning 54 countries and more than one billion people. While delegates acknowledged the agreement’s transformative potential, they noted that infrastructure gaps, regulatory barriers and inefficient logistics continue to slow its implementation.
Participants said cooperatives are well positioned to help address some of these challenges by organizing millions of small-scale producers into larger and more competitive market actors. Through cooperative structures, farmers and small businesses can aggregate production, improve quality standards and gain access to markets that would otherwise remain out of reach.
By Obegi Malack
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