The April edition of the newsletter focuses on Cooperative Activities in the Region, Cooperatives for Good Health and Well-being, Upcoming Events and Other News

The Mauritius Co-operative Alliance Limited (MCA Ltd.) marked the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 with a vibrant celebration on April 12th at the Farmers Service Agency in St. Pierre. The event brought together co-operators from across the island and was graced by key dignitaries, including Honourable D. Damry, Junior Minister of Finance, Honourable P. Venkatasami, Member of the National Assembly and Mr. C. Labonne, Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Industry, SME and Cooperatives. As part of the IYC 2025 celebrations, the President of the MCA Ltd. alongside the dignitaries, launched an original song and video celebrating the rich legacy of the co-operative movement in Mauritius. Additionally, an informative IYC 2025 pamphlet was unveiled to further engage the public and raise awareness of the year's significance. Watch the video.  

Amigos, meaning "friends" in Spanish, began as a humble initiative by three dedicated individuals who pooled small amounts from their salaries to build a cooperative rooted in trust, teamwork, and resilience. What started as a 50 Birr monthly contribution has since grown into one of Ethiopia’s largest Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs). Today, Amigos has over 8,000 members, 150 employees, 60% women of whom are women, and a capital base of 3 billion Birr, having disbursed over 6 billion Birr in loans—primarily to the transportation, manufacturing  and production sectors. The cooperative has played a vital role in Ethiopia’s economic development by promoting financial inclusion, reducing poverty, and alleviating unemployment. Recently, Amigos celebrated its 12th anniversary, with government officials recognizing its contributions to Ethiopia’s socio-economic development. In recognition of its impact, Amigos has been invited to contribute to the development of a national SACCO policy framework, solidifying its role as a leader in empowering citizens and shaping Ethiopia’s cooperative landscape. Read more. 

On April 28, 2025, Coop Bank Tanzania was officially launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, marking a significant milestone in the country’s cooperative financial sector. The bank is set to empower cooperatives by offering affordable loans, savings, and digital banking solutions to underserved rural communities, farmers, entrepreneurs and cooperative societies.  The launch of the Coop Bank Tanzania marks a new era of financial inclusion and economic empowerment for Tanzania’s cooperative movement. 

The Lagos State Cooperative Federation (LASCOFED), led by Barrister Oladipo Shobule, launched the International Year of Cooperatives celebration with a Cooperative Festival organized by the Alimosho Multipurpose Cooperative Union (MCU). Held under the theme “Creating Awareness of the Importance of Community-Based Cooperative Societies in a Hard Socio-Economic Environment,” the event highlighted cooperatives' role in supporting small-scale businesses and strengthening local economies amidst challenges like subsidy removal and currency devaluation. With a community walk, match-past, and an exhibition of cooperative products, the festival showcased how cooperatives offer vital financial empowerment, especially to nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises. LASCOFED President Shobule emphasized the need for more government support for cooperatives and encouraged other unions to engage in similar awareness efforts. 

At the 2025 Ogun State Youth Cooperative Seminar, young people were called upon to embrace the cooperative model as a transformative tool for addressing unemployment, poverty, and inequality across Africa. Held under the theme “A Better World Through Cooperatives: Eternal Relevance and Youth Empowerment,” the event united youth leaders, mentors, and stakeholders in championing cooperatives as pathways to innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive development. The seminar also launched strategic initiatives including leadership training, renewable energy programs, and youth-led cooperative frameworks, reaffirming the urgent need for investment in young cooperators to promote sustainable development through cooperatives. 

This publication has been co-funded by the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the International Cooperative Alliance-Africa and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.