Country
Kenya
Local Project Partner
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German Project Partner
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Duration
26.11.2025 - 31.03.2026
SACCOs (Savings and Credit Co-operatives Societies) in Kenya are experiencing slow business growth. Low membership numbers have a negative impact on the operation and sustainability of SACCOs: high operating costs are offset by low income. Other challenges include a lack of compliance with governance practices and regulatory frameworks, insufficient financial literacy, poor management skills, and inadequate digitization. The Kenyan government plans to introduce agricultural SACCO associations to address these issues. The SACCOs are to be united under a strong umbrella organization to improve financial inclusion, optimize service delivery, build institutional capacity, and promote sustainable development for smallholder farmers.
The Building Rural Incomes through Digital, Gender-Equitable SACCOs and FPOs project (BRIDGES) is a joint initiative of CGAP, the World Bank, and Dalberg, funded by the Gates Foundation, which aims to build a digital, gender-equitable SACCO network in Kenya that promotes private sector investment in the agricultural sector and supports the productivity and income of women in rural areas. Over the past three years, BRIDGES has successfully tested and introduced digitization and automation models that enable SACCOs to improve their services for women in rural areas. The present project aims to support these developments.
Task
Organization of a study tour for partners of the Kenyan government and BRIDGES to markets with strong, consolidated SACCO sectors and promotion of the exchange of experiences and insights. Reviewing the profitability of SACCOs using a database of over 1,000 project SACCOs. Recommendations for measures to strengthen the existing network of SACCOs in Kenya based on the assessment and international best practices.
