New ICA-Africa President Malonza calls for end to exporting raw wealth and importing inflation
In his first address after securing a unanimous victory to lead Africa’s cooperative movement, Malonza argued that Africa’s economic future depends on producing more of what it consumes and creating stronger intra-African value chains
MAPUTO, June 12, 2026 — Newly elected President of the International Cooperative Alliance–Africa [ICA-Africa], McLoud Malonza, has called on African countries to strengthen regional supply chains and reduce reliance on imports, warning that the continent cannot achieve long-term prosperity while exporting raw materials and importing inflation.
In his first address after securing a unanimous victory to lead Africa’s cooperative movement, Malonza argued that Africa’s economic future depends on producing more of what it consumes and creating stronger intra-African value chains.
Malonza, who chairs Co-operative Bank Holdings and the Co-operative Alliance of Kenya [CAK], was elected unopposed after receiving all 65 votes cast during elections held on June 9, 2026, in Maputo, Mozambique during the 12th Technical Committee Meeting of the African Ministerial Co-operative Conference [TCAMCCO].
Malonza prevailed over two Nigerian contenders — Lawrence Bales and Ojo Oladayo Aindehinde, both from the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria — in a result viewed as a sign of growing confidence in Kenya’s cooperative model.
His election places Kenya and East Africa at the centre of continental efforts to advance trade, financial inclusion and economic resilience through cooperative enterprises.
The election took place during a high-level gathering attended by cooperative ministers, commissioners, regulators, chief executives and movement leaders from more than 20 African countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Morocco, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Founded in 1968, ICA-Africa is the regional arm of the International Cooperative Alliance and represents more than 50 cooperative organisations across 21 African countries.
Malonza assumes office at a time when cooperatives are increasingly being recognised as key instruments for tackling unemployment, inequality, food insecurity and financial exclusion across the continent.
In his acceptance speech, he described his election as a collective mandate to position cooperatives at the heart of Africa’s development agenda.
“Cooperatives remain central to addressing pressing challenges, including youth unemployment, food insecurity, climate change, financial exclusion and inequality,” Malonza said.
He pledged to promote stronger governance, greater youth participation, inclusive leadership and deeper regional integration through cross-border cooperative enterprises.
His election comes amid growing debate over how African economies can strengthen resilience against recurring global shocks.
Delegates at the conference expressed concern that many African economies continue exporting raw materials while importing finished goods and essential consumer products — a trend they said leaves countries exposed to disruptions in international markets.
Recent crises, including Ebola outbreaks, commodity price volatility, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine conflict, were cited as examples of events that exposed weaknesses in African supply chains, contributing to inflation, foreign exchange pressures and rising food prices.
Cooperative leaders argued that Africa’s current economic structure — heavily dependent on exporting unprocessed commodities while importing higher-value manufactured products — continues to constrain industrialisation and job creation.
Discussions also highlighted opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area [AfCFTA], which aims to establish a single market covering 54 countries and more than one billion people.
However, participants noted that infrastructure gaps, regulatory barriers and inefficient logistics remain major obstacles to implementation, with poor transport networks, port inefficiencies and differing customs and certification standards continuing to raise business costs and limit competitiveness across the continent.
Meanwhile, Wycliffe A. Oparanya, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development and Chairperson of AMCCO has congratulated Malonza upon his achievement.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Macloud Malonza on his election as President of the International Cooperative Alliance Africa during the Regional Assembly held in Maputo. His election is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the cooperative movement and the confidence that cooperators across the continent have in his leadership and vision,”
“As Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development and Chairperson of AMCCO [Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference], I look forward to working closely with Mr. Malonza in advancing the cooperative agenda, deepening regional collaboration, and unlocking greater socio-economic opportunities for our people. I wish him great success as he leads ICA-Africa into a new chapter of growth, innovation and transformation.”
https://thecooperator.news/ica-africa-elects-kenyan-as-new-president/
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