Co-ops Africa is a pioneering digital platform dedicated to strengthening the cooperative movement across the African continent and in the diaspora. Developed by Innovet (Pty) Ltd., the platform serves as an authentic and dynamic presentation of the African Cooperative Movement—showcasing its financial, social, and cultural relevance to the lives of the majority of African people.

Rooted in the deeply communal spirit of African societies, Co-ops Africa embraces and amplifies the cooperative model as a natural fit for the continent’s people. Our cultures thrive on shared responsibilities, communal ownership, and mutual upliftment—values that are at the core of the cooperative philosophy.

The Cooperative Economy for Africa. At its heart, Co-ops Africa is about promoting a Cooperative Economy—one where African people are not just passive participants but active stakeholders in economic systems that reflect their values, priorities, and realities. We believe in an Africa where cooperative enterprise is not peripheral but central to inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

Addressing Access to Capital. A core motivation behind Co-ops Africa is the recognition that the current global financial systems are failing cooperatives—especially in underserved and rural communities. Co-ops often struggle with limited access to capital, despite having strong community backing and viable business models. Co-ops Africa is working to find and build solutions that bridge this capital access gap through innovations such as the Co-op Debentures Exchange and cooperative-focused financial tools.

The Power of the Circular Economy. We also champion the circular economy as a powerful strategy for African cooperatives. By promoting local production, reuse, community-based services, and cooperative trade, the circular economy:

• Reduces dependency on external supply chains.
• Increases resilience in times of crisis.
• Generates local employment and retains value within communities.
• Promotes environmental sustainability through waste reduction and recycling.
• Strengthens community wealth by circulating money and resources locally.

Through digital platforms like Co-ops Africa, cooperatives can unlock the financial and wealth-building benefits of circular economies at scale.

Using Technology for the Cooperative Movement. We are leveraging modern technology to digitally empower cooperatives. Co-ops Africa offers tools and services to support compliance, trade, financing, visibility, and inter-cooperative collaboration. The platform enables cooperatives to function more effectively in the digital economy while staying true to their values.

Built with and for the Cooperative Sector. Innovet (Pty) Ltd. works hand-in-hand with Cooperative Agencies, Federations, and Regulators to ensure that Co-ops Africa remains responsive to the evolving needs of the sector. We actively engage with stakeholders to ensure that policies, tools, and platforms support cooperatives from the ground up.

Information, Media & Visibility. Co-ops Africa also acts as an information, blogging, and news portal for the movement. We collect and publish data and stories about cooperatives from public media sources—which may or may not be verified—and aim to provide accurate, timely, and useful insights into the cooperative space. We make efforts to cover or report on important cooperative events, either directly or indirectly, to ensure that the movement stays connected and visible.

Co-op Pages & Directory Services. As part of our commitment to accessibility, we maintain a Co-op Directory to help users easily locate cooperatives across Africa. Our team actively researches and uploads publicly available data to build out Co-op Pages, enabling visibility, discovery, and connection across sectors and borders.

Our Mission. To build a united, compliant, financially empowered, and digitally connected cooperative sector that drives inclusive economic growth and prosperity across Africa.

What We Do

Co-ops Africa provides tools, services, and marketplaces that allow cooperatives and cooperators to:

• Stay Compliant. Submit annual returns, governance records, and audits digitally with support from regulatory bodies and cooperative experts.
• Access Capital & Trade. Buy, sell, and invest in cooperative debentures through the Co-op Debentures Exchange and expand markets via the Cooperator Store, a digital marketplace for co-op goods and services.
• Insure & Protect. Secure cooperative assets and operations with affordable, tailored insurance products.
• Grow Skills & Visibility. Participate in training, coaching, and marketing support to enhance investment readiness and cooperative performance.
• Collaborate Across Borders. Connect with cooperatives across regions and countries to share best practices, trade, and form partnerships.

Who We Serve

We support:

·        Primary Cooperatives

·        Secondary and Apex Cooperative Federations

·        Individual Cooperators and Cooperative Leaders

·        Financial Institutions and Development Partners

·        Policy Makers and Regulators

Whether you're managing a rural farming co-op, a cooperative bank, a youth savings group, or a regional federation, Co-ops Africa is your trusted digital partner.

Our Values

·        Cooperation – We believe in unity, mutual aid, and the power of collective effort.

·        Innovation – We harness technology to bring 21st-century solutions to a time-tested movement.

·        Transparency – We promote accountability, visibility, and trust in all cooperative dealings.

·        Inclusivity – We welcome cooperators of all sizes, sectors, and regions.

Our Vision

To be Africa’s leading digital hub for cooperative development, trade, investment, and compliance—building a sustainable, integrated cooperative economy across the continent and beyond.