Tanzania is hosting the African SACCOs Congress for the first time, with Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba expected to attend as Chief Guest on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The six-day event, which runs until October 16, has drawn cooperative leaders, government officials and experts from across Africa and beyond to discuss strategies for improving savings and credit cooperative organisations.
Benson Ndiege, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, said hosting the congress reflected growing confidence in Tanzania's cooperative sector and the government's support for its development. The gathering was expected to strengthen management of cooperative societies, restore public confidence and equip participants with knowledge to improve service delivery to members, he said.
Discussions at the congress have focused on governance, technology, data management, sustainability and the participation of women and young people in cooperative development. A key topic has been the use of digital technologies to improve efficiency and strengthen management. Digital systems could allow members to access account balances and apply for loans without visiting offices, while helping regulators monitor societies and improving financial data collection, according to Mr Ndiege.
More than 600 young people involved in savings and credit cooperatives are participating in the congress. Mr Ndiege said Tanzania could learn from Kenya, whose SACCO sector had performed strongly, and encouraged local cooperatives to aspire to rank among the continent's leading institutions. The congress concludes on October 16 with a closing ceremony at the Super Dome.