Frequently Asked Questions
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WHAT IS A COOPERATIVE SOCIETY?
A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic and social needs through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise/business. -
WHAT ARE THE COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES?
- Voluntary and Open Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Member Economic Participation
- Autonomy and Independence
- Education, Training and Information
- Cooperation amongst Cooperatives
- Concern for Community
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WHAT IS A SACCO?
A Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCO) is a member-owned financial cooperative whose primary objective is to mobilise savings and afford members access to loans (productive and provident) on competitive terms as a way of enhancing their socio-economic well being. It is formed by people having a common bond. -
WHAT IS A COMMON BOND?
A common bond is a unifying factor (that which brings people together).
Two types of bonds generally exist as follows:
Community bond
The bond exists where members are resident in a particular locality or neighbourhood. A community bond caters to all people within the community.
Occupational or associational bond
The bond provides for people of the same occupation or for those employed by a common employer or who belongs to the same profession.*Open Bond SACCOs can be comprised of both Community and Occupational Bonds.
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WHO CAN JOIN SACCO?
Joining a SACCO is easy. Membership is open to all regardless of sex, race, religion or political affiliation. It is voluntary within the SACCO’s common bond. Each SACCO has a membership qualification process, common ones being that you are a member of a particular grouping or company, e.g. if you are a teacher or an employee of a particular organization, or if you belong to a certain community. Everyone from a Farmer to a CEO is able to join a SACCO! -
HOW DIFFERENT IS A SACCO FROM OTHER BANKS OR MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS?
SACCOs are member-owned and not profit-oriented. Their philosophy is “people helping people”. -
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF KEEPING MONEY IN A SACCO?
- Members have a voice in the running of the SACCO since they own the institution;
- Members receive dividends at the end of the financial year;
- Access to financial services is non-discriminatory and affordable
- Contribution to a positive community
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HOW SAFE IS ONE'S MONEY IN A SACCO?
The SACCO mechanism provides for the safety of members’ money i.e. controls and procedures, committees and reporting structures all provide for the safety of the members’ money. -
WHERE CAN I FIND A SACCO NEAR ME?
Please see our list of affiliated SACCOs and our SACCO map. If you want to form a SACCO see Contacts.
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