KAMPALA, October 14, 2026 — Cooperatives across Africa are being urged to expand their role in economic transformation by strengthening food systems, creating opportunities for women and young people, improving access to finance and connecting producers to markets.
The International Cooperative Alliance [ICA] says cooperatives have an increasingly important role to play as Africa confronts poverty, food insecurity, unemployment, inequality, climate shocks and limited access to essential services.
According to the ICA Africa perspective contained in the report Building a Better World Together, cooperatives across the continent are already empowering women economically, creating opportunities for young people, strengthening food systems and expanding access to finance, health, education and clean energy.
They are also connecting producers to markets, strengthening value chains and creating opportunities for trade within Africa and beyond.
The report says the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area gives cooperatives an opportunity to contribute to more inclusive and sustainable trade.
It identifies three priorities for Africa: fostering inclusion, strengthening an enabling policy and regulatory environment, and promoting cooperative-to-cooperative trade.
The report says these priorities could help cooperatives scale their impact, improve competitiveness and contribute to Africa’s economic and social transformation.
However, it warns that cooperative contributions are not always adequately captured in national development and statistical systems.
This lack of visibility can make it difficult for governments and development partners to measure their economic and social contribution, according to the wider report.
The report argues that documenting cooperative impact is important for attracting investment, strengthening partnerships and informing public policy.
It calls on governments, development partners, the private sector and cooperative leaders to deepen collaboration and invest in cooperative solutions.
The report also highlights the importance of stronger governance, increased participation of women and young people in leadership, enabling policy frameworks and deeper partnerships between cooperatives and the wider sustainable-development community.
It says cooperatives should not be treated as peripheral actors in development but as important partners in delivering national, regional and global development goals.
https://thecooperator.news/appo-chief-urges-african-nocs-to-jointly-develop-energy-projects/
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