Kenya has reinforced its position as one of Africa’s leading cooperative economies after Macloud Malonza was elected Chairperson of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Africa in a unanimous vote that reflected strong continental support for his leadership.
Malonza, who currently serves as Chairman of Co-operative Bank Holdings and Chairman of the Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK), secured all 65 votes cast during the election. He defeated two candidates from Nigeria , Lawrence Bale and Ojo Oladayo Aindehinde, both representing the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria.
The decisive victory signaled broad confidence among African delegates in Malonza’s leadership credentials and his vision for strengthening the cooperative movement across the continent.
His election places Kenya at the leadership of Africa’s foremost cooperative organization, which represents millions of members and enterprises across diverse sectors of the economy. The appointment is expected to elevate Kenya’s profile further as a model for cooperative development while expanding the country’s influence in shaping policies that promote financial inclusion, agricultural transformation, trade and sustainable economic growth.
The leadership transition comes at a time when cooperatives continue to gain recognition as critical engines of economic empowerment and social progress across Africa. Cooperative institutions play an increasingly important role in providing financial services, supporting agricultural value chains, creating employment opportunities and opening access to markets for communities that remain underserved by traditional systems.
Speaking after his election, Malonza described the victory as a shared achievement for the cooperative movement across Africa rather than an individual accomplishment.
“This is not about one individual, one country or one region. It is about the future of cooperatives in Africa,” he said.
He noted that Africa continues to face major socio-economic challenges, including youth unemployment, food insecurity, climate change, financial exclusion and inequality, adding that stronger and more innovative cooperative solutions will be necessary to address them.
Malonza pledged to work closely with the ICA-Africa Regional Board, member organizations, governments, development agencies and the Secretariat to advance common priorities and strengthen the cooperative ecosystem.
He outlined key focus areas under his leadership, including improving cooperative governance, increasing member participation, empowering youth and women leaders, promoting cooperative entrepreneurship, strengthening regional trade and positioning cooperatives as drivers of Africa’s economic transformation.
“Together we can create a stronger cooperative voice in global policy discussions and ensure that cooperatives become key drivers of inclusive growth, social justice and sustainable development across Africa,” he said.
He further emphasized the need for African cooperatives to seize opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and deepen collaboration with the African Union, regional economic blocs, and international development partners.
Malonza brings decades of experience in the cooperative sector. Besides leading CAK and Co-operative Bank Holdings, he has held senior leadership positions in some of Kenya’s largest cooperative institutions, including Harambee Sacco and Co-op Holdings Cooperative Society.
His unanimous election is being viewed as both a personal endorsement of his leadership and recognition of Kenya’s mature cooperative model, regarded among the most developed on the continent.
With more than 15 million Kenyans connected to cooperative societies and billions of shillings mobilized through SACCOs and cooperative enterprises, Kenya remains a benchmark for cooperative growth and member-driven economic development in Africa.
Malonza’s election marks another milestone in Kenya’s expanding influence within Africa’s cooperative movement and signals renewed momentum toward building stronger, more inclusive and resilient cooperative enterprises across the continent.
Author: Moureen Koech
Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector
