DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Mwigulu Nchemba is expected to grace the 26th African SACCOs Congress as the Chief Guest tomorrow, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the continental gathering that has brought together stakeholders from more than 28 countries to discuss strategies for strengthening savings and credit cooperative organisations (SACCOS).
The six-day congress, which began on October 11 and runs until October 16, 2026, is being hosted in Tanzania for the first time, marking a milestone for the country’s cooperative sector and its growing role in international cooperation.
The event has attracted cooperative leaders, government officials, experts and other stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, providing a platform for exchanging experiences and exploring ways to improve the performance and sustainability of SACCOS.
Speaking to journalists, Registrar of Cooperative Societies Benson Ndiege said the hosting of the congress reflected growing confidence in Tanzania’s cooperative sector and the government’s continued support for its development.
He said the gathering was expected to strengthen the management of cooperative societies, restore public confidence and equip participants with knowledge and skills to improve service delivery to members.
“This congress should not only be remembered as a major international gathering hosted in Tanzania, but also as an opportunity to acquire practical knowledge, establish partnerships and improve the management of our cooperative societies,” he said.
Mr Ndiege said discussions during the congress had covered governance, technology, data management, sustainability and the participation of women and young people in cooperative development.
He said a key focus of the discussions was the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies to improve efficiency, simplify operations and strengthen the management of SACCOS.
Experts from Tanzania and other countries were sharing experiences on how technology could support cooperative growth, improve access to financial services and enhance accountability.
Mr Ndiege said technology was also among the government’s key priorities for cooperative development, noting that digital systems could make it easier for regulators to monitor societies and for SACCOS to serve their members.
He explained that members of digitally enabled SACCOS could access account balances and apply for loans without having to visit cooperative offices physically, saving time and reducing administrative burdens.
He added that technology could improve the collection and management of financial data, enabling societies to make informed decisions, develop effective plans and monitor loan repayments.
“Accurate data is essential for planning. When SACCOS have reliable information about their financial position, collections and loan repayments, they can make better decisions and develop policies that support growth,” he said.
Mr Ndiege further noted that digital record-keeping could help address longstanding challenges associated with poor documentation and inadequate reporting in the cooperative sector.
He said electronic systems would make it easier to trace transactions and preserve records over time, reducing the risk of missing documents and improving accountability.
The Registrar said Tanzania had an opportunity to learn from other African countries, particularly Kenya, whose SACCO sector had demonstrated strong performance, adding that local cooperatives should aspire to rank among the continent’s leading institutions.
He said more than 600 young people involved in savings and credit cooperatives were participating in the congress, expressing hope that they would apply the knowledge gained to improve the performance of their respective societies.
The congress has also attracted senior government officials from several African countries, including ministers responsible for cooperatives from Botswana, Uganda and Zambia, alongside other officials and sector leaders.
As part of the programme, participants attended various training sessions, while a congress dinner held at the Super Dome on Tuesday featured a flag parade recognising the participating countries.
Mr Ndiege said the congress was expected to generate practical recommendations on how technology and improved management could accelerate the growth of SACCOS in Tanzania and across Africa.
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The congress is scheduled to conclude on October 16, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs expected to preside over the closing ceremony at the Super Dome.
Mr Ndiege urged participants to ensure that the knowledge, professional connections and experiences gained during the congress translated into tangible improvements in the management and performance of cooperative societies.
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