In today’s fast-changing landscape of finance and community development, SACCOs across
Kenya stand at a defining crossroads. The pressing need to remain relevant in an era
dominated by digital innovation, shifting member expectations, and increased competition took
center stage at the 20th Annual National Co-operatives CEOs Workshop 2025, held in
Mombasa under the theme “Leading Beyond the Horizon.”
This was no ordinary workshop. It became a moment of reckoning for many SACCO leaders —
a platform not just for strategy discussions, but for deep reflection on survival, relevance, and
transformation. One of the most impactful keynote sessions was delivered by Dr. Wale
Akinyemi, a renowned consultant and founder of Street Hub, whose address titled “Future-Proof
– Making Sure That Your Organization Exists” shook the room into focus.
Dr. Akinyemi’s message was clear: SACCOs must evolve beyond traditional thinking. In a world
where members are younger, more digital, and increasingly drawn to alternative financial
solutions, only those SACCOs that embrace strategy, technology, and youth inclusion as core
pillars will thrive. And above all, leadership visibility and authenticity must drive this evolution.
Strategy with Soul: Connecting Beyond Numbers
Dr. Akinyemi began by challenging the conventional view of strategic planning within SACCOs.
He emphasized that today’s strategy should not merely aim at operational survival or meeting
regulatory benchmarks. Instead, it must inspire loyalty, deepen emotional connections with
members, and clearly articulate a SACCO’s identity in an increasingly noisy financial ecosystem.
“Your members are not account numbers. They are dreamers, workers, and farmers. Are you
walking their journey with them?”
According to Akinyemi, the SACCO of the future must understand and align with the hopes,
struggles, and aspirations of its members. Personalized service, community-rooted innovation,
and emotionally intelligent customer engagement are no longer optional — they are the new
standard. The real competitive edge lies not in interest rates or dividend declarations but in
becoming a trusted companion in members’ life journeys.
Technology Is No Longer a Luxury — It’s Survival
If strategy is the compass, technology is the engine. Dr. Akinyemi didn’t hold back in his
assessment of the digital gap within the SACCO sector.
“If your SACCO isn’t digital, it’s disappearing. Technology is your oxygen now.”
In a marketplace where fintech platforms and mobile lenders offer lightning-fast services,
SACCOs must urgently modernize their systems. Akinyemi called for the adoption of mobile-first
service models, real-time digital engagement, and intelligent use of data to predict and meet
member needs. He emphasized that cybersecurity and data privacy must form the foundation of
trust in this digital transformation.
He described technology as the great equalizer, enabling even the smallest SACCO in rural
Kenya to operate with the agility and efficiency of a major commercial bank. But with that
opportunity comes pressure: digital trust, he said, is now the most valuable currency SACCOs
can offer.
Youth Inclusion: The Game-Changer
A core message throughout the keynote was that SACCOs can no longer view the youth as the
“future” — because they are already the dominant demographic.
“If your SACCO can’t flex, it won’t last. Youth don’t wait — they shift.”
With over 70% of Kenya’s population under 35, the sustainability of the co-operative movement
hinges on its ability to serve and involve this demographic meaningfully. Akinyemi urged
SACCOs to create youth-friendly financial products, reduce bureaucracy in service delivery, and
adopt a culture that welcomes experimentation and fresh ideas.
Importantly, he emphasized the need to open leadership spaces to young people, not just as
token gestures but as a deliberate strategy to infuse energy, relevance, and digital intuition into
SACCO governance.
Today’s youth demand purpose, speed, and digital convenience. SACCOs that meet them on
their terms will win their trust. Those that don’t will fade quietly into irrelevance.
The Power of Personal Branding in Leadership
In an unexpected yet timely twist, Dr. Akinyemi closed his address by examining the rise of
personal branding and how it is changing organizational influence across the world.
“Personal brands now shape the global agenda more than big institutions.”
From business to politics and development, he noted that individual voices are often more
impactful than organizational messaging. This has major implications for SACCO leadership.
CEOs and board chairs must embrace digital visibility and authenticity. Platforms like LinkedIn,
X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and even TikTok are no longer optional. They are tools for
storytelling, leadership, and member connection. In today’s landscape, when members see you,
they see the SACCO.
He encouraged SACCO leaders to show up — not just at AGMs and boardrooms, but online, in
conversations that shape public perception, build credibility, and inspire trust.
SACCOs as Movements, Not Just Institutions
As the keynote came to a close, the energy in the room shifted. There was no applause
immediately — just a deep silence of recognition. The message had landed.
“You are not just financial institutions,” Dr. Akinyemi concluded.
“You are vehicles of transformation. If you stay human, stay connected, and stay curious — you
will not only survive, you will lead.”
The session was not just a talk. It was a wake-up call. It invited SACCO leaders to reimagine
themselves as movement-builders, not just managers. To design strategies and systems that
honor both tradition and tomorrow.
5 Questions Every SACCO CEO Should Be Asking Today
As food for thought, Dr. Akinyemi left the audience with five critical questions:
- What makes our member experience truly unique?
- Are our services designed for digital-first users?
- How are we involving young people in governance and innovation?
- Do we have a strong cybersecurity and data privacy policy?
- How visible and relatable are our SACCO leaders online?
