Global Credit Union Leaders Convene in Mombasa to Advance Advocacy and Strengthen SACCO Systems

Paul Treinen

Global and regional credit union leaders recently gathered in Mombasa for the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA) 8th Annual Eastern Bloc Regional Forum, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening cooperative financial systems and expanding financial inclusion across Africa. 
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The forum brought together nearly 250 SACCO and credit union leaders from 13 countries to address key priorities including governance, regulatory frameworks and long-term system sustainability. 

“This is a defining moment for collaboration across the cooperative movement,” said Michael Lawrence, Board Chair of WOCCU. “The progress we are seeing across Africa shows what is possible when institutions work together to strengthen systems, build trust and expand financial access.” 

Throughout the forum, leaders emphasized the growing importance of advocacy in shaping the future of cooperative finance. As financial systems become more complex and interconnected, ensuring that credit unions and SACCOs are represented in policy discussions remains critical to advancing both financial stability and inclusion. 

“Advocacy is a practical tool for ensuring credit unions have a voice in shaping the rules that govern financial systems,” said Paul Treinen, President and CEO of WOCCU. “If we are not part of those conversations, the rules will be written without us. That includes advancing regulatory approaches that are proportional, so credit unions and SACCOs have a strong foundation to grow, serve their members and strengthen financial systems over the long term.” 

Treinen highlighted WOCCU’s approach to advocacy at the international, regional and local levels, underscoring the organization’s ongoing collaboration with ACCOSCA to support regulatory frameworks that enable SACCOs to grow, innovate and serve more communities. 

“Advocacy is no longer optional for credit unions. It is essential,” said Paul Andrews, Vice President of International Advocacy at WOCCU. “As regulatory environments evolve, cooperative institutions must be actively engaged to ensure frameworks support both financial stability and financial inclusion.” 

The forum also served as a platform for peer learning and cross-border collaboration, with leaders sharing strategies to strengthen institutional resilience and adapt to evolving economic and regulatory landscapes. 

In addition to the forum, WOCCU Board members and employees participated in site visits to local SACCOs in Mombasa, including Stima SACCO and Police SACCO, where they engaged directly with leadership and learned how institutions are expanding services to meet member needs. The visits highlighted the strength of community-rooted financial models and the role they play in supporting inclusive economic growth. 

The Mombasa convening followed WOCCU’s Spring Board Meeting and reinforced the organization’s continued commitment to working alongside regional partners to strengthen cooperative financial ecosystems worldwide. 

Click here to watch televised news coverage of the Forum on Citizen TV Kenya.

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