Cooperatives Urged to Adopt Digital Systems

Cooperative Societies Urged to Embrace Digital Management

 Arusha March 20, 2025

Cooperative societies across the country have been directed to adopt the Digital Cooperative Societies Management System (MUVU) to drive economic growth and enhance membership expansion through digital transformation.

This directive was issued today by Consolata Kiluma, the Acting Deputy Registrar for Cooperative Societies – Awareness and Mobilization, during the opening of the sixth annual conference of chief executives and managers of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs), currently taking place over three days in Arusha.

Kiluma emphasized that the effective implementation of digital systems would strengthen cooperative growth, empower members economically, and safeguard internal data from external leaks.

She highlighted that while the MUVU system currently registers 2.3 million members, the actual number of cooperative members nationwide is estimated at 8 million. To bridge this gap, she urged the full integration of all members into the system, alongside proper financial record-keeping in line with the Registrar’s directives.

Strategic Directives for SACCOs

Meanwhile, Ernest Nyambo, Chairman of the Savings and Credit Cooperative Union of Tanzania (SCCULT), outlined seven key strategic directives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of SACCOs. These include:

• Expanding membership to ensure broader financial inclusion.
• Optimizing digital technology for operational efficiency.
• Strengthening financial growth and long-term sustainability.
• Promoting sustainable development goals (SDGs) in financial inclusion and environmental responsibility.
• Enhancing risk management and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Supporting institutional development through sound governance.
• Strengthening market presence and public relations, recognizing cooperatives as vital economic enterprises.

Nyambo stressed the importance of digital transformation and strategic governance, asserting that SACCOs must adapt to modern financial systems to thrive in an increasingly competitive economic environment.

The conference continues over the next two days, focusing on strategies to fortify cooperative growth, financial resilience, and digital innovation in Tanzania’s cooperative sector.