APA Life Assurance and Apollo Asset Management are seeking to influence the next phase of Kenya’s savings and credit cooperative sector through a leadership masterclass targeting chief executives, board members and senior decision-makers.
The two financial services firms will host the SACCO Masterclass on November 19, 2026, at The Shamba Events in Loresho, Nairobi, under the theme “Shape What’s Next”.
The forum will focus on how cooperatives can strengthen their institutions, improve investment decisions and respond to changes in Kenya’s financial services industry.
SACCOs are facing growing competition from commercial banks, fintech companies and mobile money lenders, while members increasingly expect faster digital services, more flexible financial products and better returns on their savings.
Rising credit risks and tighter regulatory requirements are also putting pressure on SACCO management teams to strengthen governance, risk controls and financial sustainability.
Eric Wanting, Chief Executive Officer of APA Life, said cooperatives would need to move beyond traditional savings and lending models to remain relevant and deliver greater value to members.
He said the institutions best positioned for long-term growth would be those embracing innovation, digital services, stronger governance and collaboration.
The discussions will also examine how SACCOs can shift from simply providing loans to supporting members' broader financial security through insurance, investment and financial wellness solutions.
Apollo Asset Management Chief Executive Officer Paul Mwai said the sector's future would depend partly on how effectively cooperatives mobilise, manage and invest members' funds.
He highlighted investment diversification and sound financial planning as important tools for helping members build wealth beyond conventional savings products.
The masterclass will cover leadership and governance, risk management, financial sustainability, investment diversification and regulatory compliance. Participants will also explore how technology, product innovation and strategic partnerships can improve operational efficiency and the member experience.
The initiative brings together two areas of financial services that increasingly intersect with the SACCO business model: insurance and long-term investment management.
APA Life provides life assurance and financial protection solutions, while Apollo Asset Management focuses on investment and wealth management. Their involvement reflects the opportunity to deepen financial services partnerships with cooperatives that manage members' savings and provide credit.
The event comes as SACCOs remain important players in Kenya's financial inclusion landscape, particularly for workers, small businesses and communities that rely on member-based savings and lending.
For the sector, the challenge will be balancing growth and innovation with the responsibility to protect members' deposits, maintain sound lending practices and deliver sustainable returns.
The organisers say the forum will provide a platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas and identify practical strategies for building more resilient cooperatives.
