CUK Conference 2025

Message from the Principal Secretary, State Department for Co-operatives

The year 2025 is unique for the co-operative movement across the world. In full realization of the impact of co-operatives and the co-operative business model as an enabler of socio- economic transformation, the United Nations designated 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives. Co-operatives have also been recognized for their efforts to accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Joint Co-operative Conference 2025 comes at the right time to help us to assess the impact of the co-operative movement for the last few decades locally and regionally. I appreciate that all activities earmarked for the conference are relevant and will be instrumental in fashioning a co-operative sector that will continue to flourish to the future.

Mr. Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary, State Department for Co-operatives.

Message from the Vice Chancellor, CUK.

I welcome all our stakeholders to the Joint Co-operative Conference 2025 that is organized by the State Department for Co-operatives, Moshi Co-operative University, Tanzania, and CUK, guided by the theme “Co-operatives Build a Better World: Re-energizing the Collective Power of Co-operatives in Africa”. The conference comes a few months after the successful hosting of the Joint Co-operative Conference 2024 that was organized by the State Department for Co-operatives, Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC) and CUK, and which attracted over 300 participants from 33 countries across the world.

This year, we mark the International Year of Co-operatives in recognition of the enormous contribution of co-operatives in the economic development of many nations. As a continent, we take pride that co-operatives have been the drivers of transformation particularly in the agriculture and finance sectors. Kenya, for example, has the most vibrant co-operative sector in the continent and is ranked seventh globally. These achievements could not be possible without institutions of higher learning to support the sector with qualified human capital, continuous training and capacitation, and research.

This conference brings together stakeholders across the continent to take stock of the transformational journey of the movement and chart the way forward.

Prof. Kamau Ngamau, PhD., EBS., Vice Chancellor, The Co-operative University of Kenya

CUK Website

WHY THE JOINT CO-OPERATIVE CONFERENCE 2025

Globally, the co-operative movement has historically served as a powerful vehicle for socio- economic empowerment, social justice, and community development. Its business model has grown steadily from the mutual aid societies of the 19 th Century to contemporary credit unions (locally known as SACCOs), agricultural co-operatives, housing co-operatives, transport co-operatives, platform co-operatives and modern services worker co-operatives to mention a few. These institutions have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in serving communities.

The year 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the history of the co-operative movement globally and African diaspora empowerment, coinciding with the 180 th anniversary of the modern co- operative movement and the culmination of the United Nation’s First International Decade for People of African Decent (2015 - 2024). This convergence presents an unprecedented opportunity to examine the historical significance, current state, and future potential of African diaspora co-operatives in addressing global challenges.

Welcome to the Joint Co-operative Conference 2025

Message from the Principal Secretary, State Department for Co-operatives

Message from the Vice Chancellor, CUK.

Download the Joint Co-operative Conference 2025 concept note

WHY THE JOINT CO-OPERATIVE CONFERENCE 2025