How Stima Sacco is driving financial empowerment through sustainability

Stima SACCO National Chairman, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror.
  • Stima SACCO onboarded 20,674 members and disbursed Ksh29.19 billion in loans in FY2025, expanding financial inclusion.
  • The SACCO is advancing sustainability through green financing, ESG integration, and alignment with key UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Innovation and climate action are driving long term growth through digital transformation and environmentally responsible operations

Stima DT Sacco, Africa’s second largest Savings and Credit Co-operative Society in terms of asset base, is playing a leading role in expanding equitable access to financial services across Kenya, even as it redrafts its sustainability plan aimed at transforming operations and lives.

Under the theme: Sustainability Rewritten, People, Planet and Purpose, Stima SACCO has strengthened its financial inclusion through mobile and digital banking, a move that has positively contributed to financial empowerment, especially among underserved and low-income groups.

The SACCO offers affordable credit, innovative savings solutions, youth-focused financing, and community-oriented products that support household stability, business growth and long-term economic mobility.

Membership growth and lending, FY2025

During the Financial Year ending December 31, 2025; Stima SACCO on boarded 20,674 new members, expanding its reach across both urban and rural communities with a total loan value of Ksh29,188,875,000 disbursed, enabling individuals and enterprises to invest in productive activities, meet essential needs, and improve livelihoods.

Out of the total loan disbursed during the year under review, Ksh385,350,384 was directed towards Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and businesses operating in low-income or underserved areas, which demonstrated the SACCO’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s informal and micro-enterprise economy.

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The Sacco also continued to support youth entrepreneurs, disbursing Ksh234, 567,304 in youth-focused loans, funds that enabled young innovators to launch, scale, or stabilize their enterprises across sectors such as agribusiness, creative industries, digital services, and trade. A combination of affordable credit, mentorship initiatives, and financial literacy programmes has made Stima SACCO to remain an enabler of youth economic participation and job creation.

“We continue to oversee the integration of environmental, social and governance considerations into strategic planning, capital allocation and risk management. This includes supporting the scaling of green and socially inclusive financing solutions and strengthening data systems to enhance decision-making and integrity reporting,” said Stima SACCO National Chairman, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror.

Social impact investments

Stima SACCO also invested significantly in essential social-impact projects that improve the quality of life for Kenyan households. Loans worth Ksh1,534,432,200 was disbursed to support access to affordable housing, clean water, sanitation improvements, electricity connections, and other basic services; investments that contribute directly to national development priorities and advance long-term community resilience.

To ensure inclusivity for marginalized groups, the Sacco maintains a diverse product portfolio of 66 financial products, enabling tailored financing for rural communities, low-income households, public servants, youth, women and small business owners.

Sustainability theme and SDG alignment

The SACCO’s theme which reflects its commitment to transforming co-operative finance through internal policies, processes, products and services offered, external leadership and prioritized and targeted stakeholder engagement, has been a force for climate resilience, social equity and economic empowerment.

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By aligning people, planet, and purpose, the SACCO commits to green innovation, transparent reporting, and shared prosperity for all stakeholders thereby redefining Sustainable Socio-economic Wellness.

Stima SACCO has also played a leading role in aligning its priorities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which provides a global framework for addressing the world’s most pressing economic, social, and environmental challenges, the Society has meaningfully contributed to national and global development targets.

In its bid to become a leading co-operative financial institution in the region, anchored on a mission of enhancing stakeholder value, empowering employees, and delivering high-quality products and services to members and communities across Kenya and beyond, Stima SACCO has intentionally aligned its strategic priorities, material sustainability topics, and the SDGs that are most relevant to the business model and impact areas.

To this end, the SACCO has identified and prioritized five SDGs that closely aligns with its operations, service offerings, and long-term ambitions, which guides its sustainability initiatives, shape governance approach, and ensure that material topics contribute directly to the Society’s broader commitment to responsible and inclusive development.

5th Annual Innovation Seminar

As part of its commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable growth, Stima SACCO recently held its 5th Annual Innovation Seminar under the theme “Innovation @ 5! One Sacco, Many Voices,” bringing together staff from across the Society to develop practical solutions that enhance operational efficiency, improve member experience, and strengthen long-term sustainability.

The seminar celebrated five years of cultivating a culture of innovation where every idea contributes to organizational growth. Keynote speaker Mr. Phillip Muigai Maina challenged participants to develop member-centric, convenient, and youth-responsive solutions, drawing from his own experience as a beneficiary of the SACCO’s education financing.

Staff from across the Society during the Sacco’s 5th Annual Innovation Seminar under the theme “Innovation @ 5! One Sacco”

Throughout the two-day forum, which started on June 11, 2026 and ended on June 12, 2026, staff showcased innovative ideas before a panel of judges and management, reinforcing the Society’s commitment to collaboration, creativity, digital transformation, and continuous improvement.

Climate Change

Stima SACCO is committed to reducing environmental impact by integrating sustainable practices across all aspects of its operations, taking proactive measures to minimize carbon footprint and strengthen climate resilience.

The Society’s ongoing initiatives focus on optimizing energy consumption, improving water efficiency, reducing fuel usage, and enhancing waste management through recycling and responsible disposal practices. These efforts reflect the SACCO’s alignment with SDG 13, Climate Action, and co-operative principle number seven, concern for the community, through initiatives designed to nurture and protect the environment.

“Under our theme, Sustainability Rewritten: People, Planet and Purpose, sustainability continued to be embedded within operational practice. We strengthened our Environmental and Social Management System by integrating environmental and social risk screening into lending processes, including climate vulnerability assessments for properties held as collateral.

In parallel, we expanded our green financing portfolio through targeted green credit products and responsible investment decisions, supporting members in transitioning towards more sustainable economic activities,” said Stima SACCO CEO, Dr. Gamaliel Hassan, PhD.

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The SACCO has over the past years intensified climate action efforts by exploring cleaner energy options, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and embedding sustainability more deeply into operational processes.

Water management has continued to be a priority, while waste management initiatives have been expanded to reduce overall waste generation and encourage responsible recycling practices.

Central to these efforts is the transition to cleaner energy sources, alongside investments in innovative technologies designed to optimize energy use. By continuously refining the Society’s operational processes, Stima Sacco aims to reduce both direct and indirect emissions, while enhancing overall efficiency.

By Roy Hezron

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