BUSINESS

SACCOs Expand Product Suite As Competition Heats Up

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SACCOs widen product suite as competition heats up
SACCOs widen product suite as competition heats up
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SACCOs (Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies) have continued to expand their digital credit offerings despite increasing competition from commercial banks and other digital credit providers licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya(CBK).

These financial outfits have also managed to keep their heads above the water, despite being locked out of the National Payments System and lacking a liquidity facility to assist those that are in distress.

According to the latest Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority(SASRA) Report, this is demonstrated by an increase in the number of approved digital financial products from 345 in 2024 to 407 in 2025 representing a 17.97% increase.

Similarly, the number of SACCOs offering these digital products increased from 236 to 267 during the same period. These developments demonstrate the industry’s growing capacity to leverage technology to enhance accessibility, convenience and competitiveness while preserving the cooperative values that underpin the SACCO movement.

SACCOs have moved to USSD platforms Agency Banking and Internet-based Platforms

Alongside the strong financial performance, SACCOs have increasingly adopted alternative financial service delivery channels through SACCO agency, agency banking, USSD platforms and internet-enabled applications to expand outreach, improve operational efficiency and deepen financial inclusion.

In particular, the SACCO Agency has been prominently adopted by SACCOs and saw an increase in the number of SACCO agents from 4,247 in 2024 to 4,377 in 2025, operated by 40 and 42 SACCOs respectively.

Additionally, SACCOs continued to expand their digital credit offerings despite increasing competition from commercial banks and other digital credit providers licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya. This is demonstrated by an increase in the number of approved digital financial products from 345 in 2024 to 407 in 2025 representing a 17.97% increase.

Similarly, the number of SACCOs offering these digital products increased from 236 to 267 during the same period. These developments demonstrate the industry’s growing capacity to leverage technology to enhance accessibility, convenience and competitiveness while preserving the cooperative values that underpin the SACCO movement.

As the industry continues to evolve, the Authority remains committed to fostering stable, innovative and resilient SACCOs that safeguard members’ interests, supports financial inclusion and contributes meaningfully to Kenya’s socio-economic development.

The SACCO industry continues to heavily rely on third-party financial institutions mainly the commercial banks, as well as fintech companies to deliver their financial services and products through alternative financial delivery channel

Written by
JACKSON OKOTH

Jackson Okoth Writes for Business Today. He can be reached on email at [email protected]

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