- Cooperatives PS Patrick Kilemi joins African cooperative leaders at the 2026 SACCA Congress in Tanzania.
- Delegates call on Saccos to expand access to affordable loans and strengthen services for members.
- The congress focuses on trust, digital innovation, governance and partnerships to boost Sacco sustainability across Africa.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Cooperatives Patrick Kilemi has joined cooperative leaders at the 2026 SACCA Congress in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. They are discussing strategies for strengthening the cooperative movement and advancing financial inclusion across Africa.
The congress, running from October 12 to 16, 2026, is being held under the theme “Building Trust, Driving Transformation.” It brings together savings and credit cooperative societies (Saccos), policymakers, regulators, development partners and financial experts from across Africa and beyond.
The gathering provides a platform for participants to exchange experiences, explore innovative financial solutions and establish strategic partnerships. These aim at enhancing Sacco sustainability, governance and service delivery.
Kilemi said collaboration, innovation and strong cooperative institutions remain essential to empowering members, expanding economic opportunities and promoting sustainable development across Africa. Strengthening cooperative institutions, he added, would help improve financial services, increase access to affordable credit and support members in pursuing income-generating activities.
During the first day of the congress, participants called on Saccos to strengthen their financial services to better meet members’ needs and contribute to economic development.
They emphasised the importance of providing accessible loans to finance businesses and other income-generating activities. They noted that Saccos have a critical role to play in supporting entrepreneurship, improving livelihoods and widening access to financial services.
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The discussions also focused on strategies for improving service delivery, strengthening institutional partnerships and making cooperative financial institutions more responsive to the changing needs of their members.
Organised by the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA), in collaboration with cooperative stakeholders, the congress seeks to promote digital innovation, strengthen governance and identify practical approaches to ensuring the long-term sustainability of cooperative financial institutions.
ACCOSCA said the SACCA Congress 2026 aims to turn discussions into practical solutions, connections into partnerships and trust into transformation for Africa’s cooperative financial movement.
The organisation noted that the event offers participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding of governance and institutional trust, examine emerging trends and technologies, learn from real-world cooperative experiences, and engage directly with regulators and policymakers.
The congress also seeks to foster relationships among cooperative leaders and stakeholders. In turn, this creates opportunities for sharing knowledge and building partnerships that can support the growth of Saccos across the continent.
Participants are expected to explore how stronger governance frameworks, technological advancements and effective institutional collaboration can enhance member confidence and position African credit unions for sustainable growth.
Ultimately, the outcomes of the congress are expected to contribute to broader efforts to expand financial inclusion, improve access to finance and strengthen the role of Saccos in driving economic development across Africa.
By Obegi Malack
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