By Aoma Keziah
Kenya is set to host the 2024 Annual Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCA) Congress, the largest financial co-operative gathering in Africa in Naivasha, Nakuru County, by the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA) in close collaboration with the Government of Kenya and the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO Ltd), the event will take place from October 6-12, 2024.
This year’s congress, themed “Promoting Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation through Cooperatives,” will draw over 2,000 participants from 42 countries, representing five continents. The event will focus on sharing knowledge, exploring emerging challenges, and seizing new opportunities within the cooperative movement.
Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, highlighted the significance of the congress, noting that it will showcase Kenya’s success in advancing the cooperative model and its contribution to socio-economic transformation.
“This year’s SACCA Congress comes at a pivotal time, particularly as cooperatives play a vital role in addressing key global challenges such as poverty, inequality, unemployment, and climate change. Said CS Oparanya.
He emphasized that the congress will provide a platform for discussions on how cooperatives can contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
As part of Kenya’s commitment to climate action, the Ministry will support President Ruto’s initiative to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. During the congress, participants will plant over 15,000 trees at Utumishi Girls and Boys Academy in Naivasha.
Oparanya also added that the congress will also offer an opportunity for stakeholders to strategize on cooperative growth, financial inclusion, and community empowerment, all aligning with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“We believe that cooperatives, through collaborative efforts, hold the key to driving economic growth from the grassroots level, empowering communities, and creating sustainable employment for the youth.” He Said
Kenya, a global leader in cooperative development, is ranked first in Africa and seventh worldwide for its vibrant cooperative sector. The congress will be graced by H.E. President William Ruto and will bring together over 12 ministers from across Africa, along with global regulators from more than 15 countries.
Kenya’s vibrant cooperative model will also take center stage at this global event, offering the country a unique opportunity to share its best practices and lead discussions on how cooperatives can foster sustainable socio-economic transformation.
The SACCA Congress is a significant biennial event that will underscore the Kenyan government’s commitment to advancing the cooperative movement not only in Kenya but also across Africa and globally.