Co-ops Africa is committed to protecting your personal and cooperative information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your data when you use our web application and related services.

1. Who We Are

Co-ops Africa is a digital platform supporting African cooperatives and cooperators by providing compliance tools, business support services, cooperative finance and insurance, and digital marketplaces such as the Cooperator Store and the Co-op Debentures Exchange.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

a. Personal Information

• Full name

• Contact details (email, phone number)

• National ID or passport number

• Profile photo (optional)

b. Cooperative Information

• Cooperative name, registration number, and sector

• Board member details

• Financial data submitted for compliance or investment purposes

c. Usage Data

• Browser and device information

• Log data (e.g. IP address, timestamps, login activity)

• Navigation and feature usage within the platform

d. Transaction Data

• Purchases and sales via the Cooperator Store

• Investments and trades made through the Co-op Debentures Exchange

• Insurance premiums and benefit claims

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to:

• Provide access to the Co-ops Africa platform and services

• Facilitate compliance submissions and regulatory filings

• Manage investment, trading, and insurance operations

• Improve our platform through analytics

• Send service updates, regulatory alerts, and relevant cooperative opportunities

• Respond to inquiries and support requests

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your information:

• With your consent

• To fulfill a contract or agreement with you or your cooperative

• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations

• Based on legitimate interests, such as improving services and ensuring platform security

5. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share information with:

• Regulatory authorities (e.g., for compliance or licensing)

• Financial institutions and service providers supporting your transactions

• Cooperative sector partners offering relevant services

• IT service providers helping operate our systems

• Legal or enforcement authorities when required by law

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. However, no system is completely secure, and we advise users to use strong passwords and keep their login credentials confidential.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal and cooperative data only as long as necessary to provide services, meet legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.

8. Your Rights

Subject to local laws, you may:

• Request access to your personal data

• Correct or update your information

• Request data deletion (unless legally required to retain it)

• Withdraw consent at any time

• Object to or restrict certain data processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@coops.africa.

9. Third-Party Services

Our platform may contain links to third-party services or tools. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third parties. We encourage users to review their privacy policies.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our platform is not intended for use by children under the age of 18 without parental or guardian consent. We do not knowingly collect data from minors.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. All changes will be posted on this page with a new “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the platform constitutes your acceptance of any changes.