Kenya to Drive Stronger Cooperatives Across Africa as CS Oparanya Takes Over AMCCO Leadership

Kenya has taken a central role in shaping the future of Africa’s cooperative movement following the assumption of Chairmanship of the Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference (AMCCO) by the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa  Oparanya, on 8th October 2025. The appointment positions Kenya at the forefront of advancing cooperatives as engines of inclusive growth, job creation and socio-economic transformation across the continent.
The milestone was marked during the 14th Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference held in Nairobi, which the CS officially opened under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Leveraging Global, Regional, and Local Partnerships for Sustainable Cooperative Development in Africa.” The forum brought together ministers, policymakers, cooperative leaders and development partners from across Africa to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the impact of the cooperative model.
In his acceptance remarks, CS Oparanya emphasised that Africa must move beyond declarations to practical, results-driven action that strengthens cooperative institutions, improves governance and delivers tangible benefits to millions of members. He noted that Kenya’s leadership will focus on making cooperatives more efficient, inclusive and competitive in driving sustainable development.

Over the next three years, AMCCO under Kenya’s leadership will prioritise:

• Domestication of the Africa Cooperative Model Law to harmonise legal and regulatory frameworks across member states;
• Translating continental commitments into actionable outcomes through enhanced leadership and partnerships;
• Expanding cooperative education and increasing participation of women and youth to secure the sector’s future;
• Strengthening the competitiveness of African cooperatives in regional and global markets, including through AfCFTA opportunities.

The CS underscored that cooperatives remain a critical tool for empowering communities, creating employment and building resilient local economies. He called on member states to deepen collaboration, embrace innovation and strengthen institutional capacity to unlock the full potential of cooperatives as a driver of shared prosperity.
Kenya’s assumption of the AMCCO Chairmanship signals a renewed continental push towards practical reforms, stronger governance and a more impactful cooperative movement that delivers sustainable and inclusive development for Africa.