Diaspora lobby to develop investment blueprint for cooperatives development

Chairperson of the Kenya Diaspora Alliance Dr Shem Ochuodho at a past event/HANDOUT

The Kenya Diaspora Alliance has announced plans to develop a strategic investment blueprint aimed at guiding both Kenyans and investors in identifying promising investment opportunities within Kenya.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to leverage diaspora resources and expertise to foster cooperative-led development across various sectors of the Kenyan economy.

The Alliance, which represents the interests of Kenyans living abroad, revealed that the blueprint will be formulated during an upcoming international investment conference scheduled for December.

This event will bring together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, development partners, academia, and civil society to collaboratively craft a roadmap for sustainable investment.

Chairperson of the Kenya Diaspora Alliance, Dr Shem Ochuodho, described the conference as a pivotal gathering aimed at producing the Cooperative Engagement Action Plan (CEAP-2025).

According to Ochuodho, the CEAP-2025 will serve as a practical and collaborative framework detailing investment strategies, partnership models, policy recommendations, and capacity-building interventions that prioritise cooperative-led development in Kenya.

“The convention aims to culminate in the Cooperative Engagement Action Plan, a practical, collaborative blueprint outlining investment strategies, partnership models, policy recommendations, and capacity-building interventions to advance cooperative-led development in Kenya,” Ochuodho stated.

One of the key expected outcomes of the conference is the increase of diaspora investments into Kenya’s cooperative sector, alongside the strengthening of partnerships among diaspora communities, cooperatives, and government institutions.

The Alliance emphasised a focus on raising awareness and adoption of cooperative models in sectors such as housing, agribusiness, fintech, and empowerment initiatives for women and youth.

Set to coincide with the 12th Annual Kenya Diaspora Homecoming, the event will offer a premier platform for diaspora engagement under the theme “Cooperative Models for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.”

This theme aligns with the United Nations’ designation of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the global recognition of such models as drivers of sustainable development.

The convention will also explore how cooperative models, particularly those led or supported by the diaspora, can act as catalysts for economic transformation in Kenya.

By encouraging inclusive systems and democratic ownership, these models aim to build community-driven progress and shared prosperity.

Ochuodho highlighted the critical role of diaspora remittances, which reached approximately USD 4.94 billion (about Sh640 billion) in 2024.

He emphasised that beyond financial contributions, diaspora communities bring valuable global knowledge, experience, and networks essential to Kenya’s development.

“As the country advances its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), cooperative models are well positioned to foster inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic growth. Diaspora communities bring not only financial capital but also global knowledge, experience, and networks,” he explained.

The Alliance advocates for channeling diaspora remittances through cooperative frameworks such as Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs), investment clubs, and joint ventures.