Botswana Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe recently led a delegation to Kenya on a benchmarking mission aimed at strengthening his country's cooperative finance sector. The visit focused on drawing lessons from Kenya's Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) to inform reforms in Botswana. The delegation visited the Kenya National Police DT SACCO to learn about its governance structures, digital financial services, and financial sustainability.
During the visit, Gaolathe praised the SACCO's leadership and governance structures, saying the delegation gained practical insights that would inform reforms back home. He commended the discipline of the SACCO's board members and expressed his country's interest in adopting similar practices. The discussions covered several areas, including savings mobilisation, member education, digital financial services, institutional sustainability, and strategic partnerships.
The delegation also explored how cooperatives can support community development through initiatives in education, healthcare, and climate action. Kenya National Police DT SACCO Chairman David Mategwa said the visit demonstrated the importance of African countries sharing experiences and adopting solutions developed within the continent. He believed the experience gained in Kenya could open the door to deeper cooperation between their institutions.
SACCO Chief Executive Officer Solomon Angutsa Atsiaya attributed the institution's transformation to its ability to adapt its operations and services to the evolving needs of members. He identified digitalisation as a major driver of the SACCO's growth, describing its digital platform as its "biggest branch". Atsiaya emphasised the need to strengthen the savings culture among members.
The visit also opened discussions on further cooperation between Kenya and Botswana, with Gaolathe inviting the leadership of Kenya National Police DT SACCO to Botswana for a reciprocal benchmarking visit. The proposed visit is expected to provide an opportunity for continued exchange of experiences in governance, financial inclusion, innovation, and sustainable cooperative growth.
The benchmarking mission is part of Botswana's efforts to strengthen its cooperative institutions and improve financial services for members. By learning from Kenya's SACCOs, Botswana aims to adopt best practices and develop its own cooperative finance sector. The visit is seen as a significant step towards enhancing cooperation between the two countries.
The Kenya National Police DT SACCO has undergone significant transformation, driven by its ability to adapt to changing member needs. With over 20 years of experience, the SACCO has developed robust governance structures, digital financial services, and a strong savings culture. Its success has made it a model for other SACCOs in Africa, including those in Botswana.
Key points
- Botswana Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe led a delegation to Kenya to learn from SACCOs and inform reforms in his country.
- The delegation visited the Kenya National Police DT SACCO to learn about its governance structures, digital financial services, and financial sustainability.
- The visit is expected to lead to further cooperation between Kenya and Botswana, including a reciprocal benchmarking visit.
