- APA Life and Apollo Asset Management are bringing Sacco leaders together for a strategic growth forum.
- Rising competition from banks and fintechs is forcing Saccos to rethink their traditional business models.
- The forum will examine investment diversification, stronger governance and technology-driven growth.
Sacco chief executives and board members will gather in Loresho on November 19, 2026, to rethink how their institutions grow as rivals crowd the market.
Insurer APA Life and Apollo Asset Management are organising the forum, which carries the banner “Shape What’s Next”. It is set for Thursday at The Shamba Events.
Competition is the starting point. Banks, fintechs and mobile money lenders are all chasing customers that Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Saccos) serve. Members now expect better service, loan defaults are a bigger worry and regulators are asking for more. Yet the same pressures come with openings in digital platforms, new products, investments, partnerships and demand for financial wellness services.
APA Life Chief Executive Officer Eric Wanting argues that Sacco managers and boards can no longer lean on savings and loans alone. They must decide, on purpose, where their institutions should stand in the years ahead.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
At least six dead, five rescued as building collapses along Mombasa Road
Member ownership, trust and inclusion built the sector, he said, but those strengths will not carry it forward on their own. In his view, the Saccos that last will be those that lead change instead of reacting to it, adopt technology, keep governance tight and keep members at the centre. They will also partner where it makes sense and help members plan their financial futures rather than simply borrow.
Apollo Asset Management Chief Executive Officer Paul Mwai pointed instead to capital. How a Sacco raises, manages and invests money, he said, will decide whether it creates lasting value for members. He wants savers to graduate into building wealth and long term security, which means spreading investments, planning soundly and putting funds to more productive use.
Choices made today, he added, should deliver steady returns, protect members and benefit future generations. The masterclass, he said, is meant to push leaders to see growth differently.
On the programme, sessions will cover governance and leadership, risk management, financial sustainability, investment diversification and regulatory compliance. Participants will also weigh how technology, product innovation and partnerships can raise efficiency, improve the member experience and open new growth opportunities. Industry experts will share insights throughout.
Both firms say the partnership draws on their expertise in insurance, financial protection, investment and wealth creation.
By Aoya Benedict
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
