By Rubiga Sivakumaran and Juliette Hensgens 

Last May, a team of Rabo Partnerships visited Ethiopia in the context of the global partnership that they have with the World Bank. The partnership aims to strengthen the Cooperative Financial Institution (or in Ethiopia: SACCO) sector as well as its enabling environment in order to improve financial services for smallholder farmers, agricultural SMEs, and rural financial services at large. 

The large network of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in Ethiopia - over 21,000 in total - can play an important role in financial inclusion, especially in the underserved rural areas where they are physically present and close to their members. Nevertheless, SACCOs face serious challenges as they have limited ability to grow their market share, and are losing business to MFIs and commercial players that are increasingly reaching their (rural) clientele through digital services and products. 

Overall, SACCOs lack skills, products and efficiencies to be truly competitive financial institutions. This is mainly due to their scateredness and small sizes, and can be enhanced by an increased level of cooperation. The remainder of this article describes how we aim to contribute to this. 

Bringing together national stakeholders 

"If we work together, we can really make a difference", confirmed one of the participants of the stakeholder workshop that we as Rabo Partnerships organized with our local partner - the Agricultural Transformation Institute - in Adama, Oromia region. The workshop brought together managers of SACCO Unions and representatives of their regulating and promoting bodies such as the Ethiopian Cooperative Commission and Regional Cooperative Promotion Agency. During two days, they jointly worked on a set of priorities and action plans going forward, resulting in 1) the positioning of SACCOs in the financial system; 2) digitization of processes; and 3) product development. 

Bundling forces to strengthen the sector 

Various initiatives of both national and international organizations exist that aim to strengthen the Ethiopian SACCO sector. During the visit, we spent time with these organizations to exchange experiences and objectives, finally reaching the conclusion that it will be most effective to leverage on each other's initiatives. Each organization can bring different expertise to the table and solve a different piece of the puzzle, e.g., with regards to product offering, branding, and capacity building of SACCOs. Thus, going forward, our team aims to increasingly engage with existing activities and initiatives, while designing currently-missing ones. 

Assessing opportunities for digitization 

Last but not least, we looked into the opportunities of digitization. Two members of the Rabobank IT Young Professional Program joined the visit to conduct research for the onboarding app that they developed remotely. By showing a demo of the app and interviewing the end users (Unions, SACCOs, and their members), they collected the required information to design an implementation plan. Additionally, the team explored digital product and service providers with which we can potentially partner up in the future. 

What's next? 

As a project team, we will go forward working on cooperation among Unions, bundling forces with the wider stakeholder network, and bringing digitization opportunities towards the SACCO sector. The next visit is scheduled for September, during which we will organize another stakeholder workshop that builds on the outcomes of the last, and pursue our engagements with existing initiatives. Meanwhile, we are continously aligning with the World Bank team which is conducting an assessment on the regulatory and supervisory framework. By creating the right dynamics, we aim to strengthen the SACCO sector and therewith its role in rural financial inclusion.

 

 

By Rubiga Sivakumaran and Juliette Hensgens 

Last May, a team of Rabo Partnerships visited Ethiopia in the context of the global partnership that they have with the World Bank. The partnership aims to strengthen the Cooperative Financial Institution (or in Ethiopia: SACCO) sector as well as its enabling environment in order to improve financial services for smallholder farmers, agricultural SMEs, and rural financial services at large. 

The large network of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) in Ethiopia - over 21,000 in total - can play an important role in financial inclusion, especially in the underserved rural areas where they are physically present and close to their members. Nevertheless, SACCOs face serious challenges as they have limited ability to grow their market share, and are losing business to MFIs and commercial players that are increasingly reaching their (rural) clientele through digital services and products. 

Overall, SACCOs lack skills, products and efficiencies to be truly competitive financial institutions. This is mainly due to their scateredness and small sizes, and can be enhanced by an increased level of cooperation. The remainder of this article describes how we aim to contribute to this. 

Bringing together national stakeholders 

"If we work together, we can really make a difference", confirmed one of the participants of the stakeholder workshop that we as Rabo Partnerships organized with our local partner - the Agricultural Transformation Institute - in Adama, Oromia region. The workshop brought together managers of SACCO Unions and representatives of their regulating and promoting bodies such as the Ethiopian Cooperative Commission and Regional Cooperative Promotion Agency. During two days, they jointly worked on a set of priorities and action plans going forward, resulting in 1) the positioning of SACCOs in the financial system; 2) digitization of processes; and 3) product development. 

Bundling forces to strengthen the sector 

Various initiatives of both national and international organizations exist that aim to strengthen the Ethiopian SACCO sector. During the visit, we spent time with these organizations to exchange experiences and objectives, finally reaching the conclusion that it will be most effective to leverage on each other's initiatives. Each organization can bring different expertise to the table and solve a different piece of the puzzle, e.g., with regards to product offering, branding, and capacity building of SACCOs. Thus, going forward, our team aims to increasingly engage with existing activities and initiatives, while designing currently-missing ones. 

Assessing opportunities for digitization 

Last but not least, we looked into the opportunities of digitization. Two members of the Rabobank IT Young Professional Program joined the visit to conduct research for the onboarding app that they developed remotely. By showing a demo of the app and interviewing the end users (Unions, SACCOs, and their members), they collected the required information to design an implementation plan. Additionally, the team explored digital product and service providers with which we can potentially partner up in the future. 

What's next? 

As a project team, we will go forward working on cooperation among Unions, bundling forces with the wider stakeholder network, and bringing digitization opportunities towards the SACCO sector. The next visit is scheduled for September, during which we will organize another stakeholder workshop that builds on the outcomes of the last, and pursue our engagements with existing initiatives. Meanwhile, we are continously aligning with the World Bank team which is conducting an assessment on the regulatory and supervisory framework. By creating the right dynamics, we aim to strengthen the SACCO sector and therewith its role in rural financial inclusion.

 

 

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The Center of Excellence on CFIs organized a webinar, “Investments in Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs): Approaches Innovations” on May 5th. Mr. Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager of the World Bank Group, opened the session by highlighting the uniqueness of CFIs as member-based institutions. Mr. Perlat Sulaj, CEO of FED invest in Albania and Mand r. Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO of EBO SACCO in Uganda shared their experiences in obtaining external investments in the recent past. Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments of DID reacted to the presentations from the investor’s point of view. Ms. Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager of Rabo Partnerships moderated the discussion and the Q&A session with about 40 participants. One of the key highlights of the discussion was that the investments in CFIs are a balancing act between the member-based structure of the CFIs, their stability and growth, and the expectations of the investors. Please visit the CFI CoE website for a remaining question that was not addressed during the session.

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WATCH WEBINAR RECORDING

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CHAIR:

Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager, FCI GP, World Bank Group

Anderson is Practice Manager for Long-Term Finance, within the Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice, leading the Capital Markets, Infrastructure Finance, Housing Finance, Agriculture Finance, Pensions & Insurance product lines. Anderson joined the World Bank in 2006 and has been actively involved on advisory services to develop capital markets and on the design of financial solutions to mobilize financing through bond markets and for infrastructure financing. Prior to joining the World Bank, Anderson worked for the Brazilian Treasury from 1993 to 2005, where, among others, he served as Head of the Public Debt Strategic Planning Department, managing the risk, and formulating refinancing strategies in domestic and international capital markets for the overall government debt portfolio. Anderson holds a Ph.D. degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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SPEAKERS:

Perlat Sulaj, CEO, FED invest, Albania 

Perlat’s areas of expertise encompass financial and risk management, organizational development, microfinance, and SME credit management. He has gained a rich and versatile experience in microfinance for over two decades, holding several Senior Management positions including Director of Operations, Director of Business Development, Chief Finance Officer, and Chief Risk Officer. FED invest is the first pioneering microfinance institution established in Albania. He holds an MBA from University of Nebraska and a graduate degree in Mathematics from University of Tirana.

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Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO, EBO SACCO, Uganda

Joseph has been leading EBO Saving and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) since 2014. EBO SACCO is situated in Western Uganda with over 52,000 individual members. Prior to the current position, he has held several management positions at EBO SACCO such as general manager and founding manager. He holds an MBA from Makerere University Business School.

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Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments, DID

Robert has over 20 years of experience in investment management, corporate finance, and consulting. He is a Managing Director at Développement international Desjardin (DID), responsible for managing DID’s investment team and private market investment funds. Previously, Robert worked as an Investment Manager at the Qatar Investment Authority and as an Assistant Director in the Corporate Finance practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers in London. He has a Masters’ Degree in Economics and is a CFA and CIP.

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MODERATOR:

Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager, Rabo Partnerships

Juliëtte is a Project Manager at Rabo Partnerships Advisory Services (RPAS), a dedicated consultancy unit within the Rabobank Group, focusing on capacity building of (rural) banks, Agri finance development, supply chain financing, and cooperative development. She is leading multiyear support programs and transformation programs in various African countries and has working experience in Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Juliëtte holds a master's degree in law and Economics from the University of Utrecht and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and is an experienced banker with a background in credit risk and special asset management.
.

. 

.

The Center of Excellence on CFIs organized a webinar, “Investments in Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs): Approaches Innovations” on May 5th. Mr. Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager of the World Bank Group, opened the session by highlighting the uniqueness of CFIs as member-based institutions. Mr. Perlat Sulaj, CEO of FED invest in Albania and Mand r. Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO of EBO SACCO in Uganda shared their experiences in obtaining external investments in the recent past. Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments of DID reacted to the presentations from the investor’s point of view. Ms. Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager of Rabo Partnerships moderated the discussion and the Q&A session with about 40 participants. One of the key highlights of the discussion was that the investments in CFIs are a balancing act between the member-based structure of the CFIs, their stability and growth, and the expectations of the investors. Please visit the CFI CoE website for a remaining question that was not addressed during the session.

.

WEBINAR RECORDING

 

CHAIR:

Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager, FCI GP, World Bank Group

Anderson is Practice Manager for Long-Term Finance, within the Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice, leading the Capital Markets, Infrastructure Finance, Housing Finance, Agriculture Finance, Pensions & Insurance product lines. Anderson joined the World Bank in 2006 and has been actively involved on advisory services to develop capital markets and on the design of financial solutions to mobilize financing through bond markets and for infrastructure financing. Prior to joining the World Bank, Anderson worked for the Brazilian Treasury from 1993 to 2005, where, among others, he served as Head of the Public Debt Strategic Planning Department, managing the risk, and formulating refinancing strategies in domestic and international capital markets for the overall government debt portfolio. Anderson holds a Ph.D. degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

.

SPEAKERS:

Perlat Sulaj, CEO, FED invest, Albania 

Perlat’s areas of expertise encompass financial and risk management, organizational development, microfinance, and SME credit management. He has gained a rich and versatile experience in microfinance for over two decades, holding several Senior Management positions including Director of Operations, Director of Business Development, Chief Finance Officer, and Chief Risk Officer. FED invest is the first pioneering microfinance institution established in Albania. He holds an MBA from University of Nebraska and a graduate degree in Mathematics from University of Tirana.

.

Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO, EBO SACCO, Uganda

Joseph has been leading EBO Saving and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) since 2014. EBO SACCO is situated in Western Uganda with over 52,000 individual members. Prior to the current position, he has held several management positions at EBO SACCO such as general manager and founding manager. He holds an MBA from Makerere University Business School.

.

.

Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments, DID

Robert has over 20 years of experience in investment management, corporate finance, and consulting. He is a Managing Director at Développement international Desjardin (DID), responsible for managing DID’s investment team and private market investment funds. Previously, Robert worked as an Investment Manager at the Qatar Investment Authority and as an Assistant Director in the Corporate Finance practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers in London. He has a Masters’ Degree in Economics and is a CFA and CIP.

.

MODERATOR:

Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager, Rabo Partnerships

Juliëtte is a Project Manager at Rabo Partnerships Advisory Services (RPAS), a dedicated consultancy unit within the Rabobank Group, focusing on capacity building of (rural) banks, Agri finance development, supply chain financing, and cooperative development. She is leading multiyear support programs and transformation programs in various African countries and has working experience in Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Juliëtte holds a master's degree in law and Economics from the University of Utrecht and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and is an experienced banker with a background in credit risk and special asset management.
.

.

The Center of Excellence on CFIs organized a webinar, “Investments in Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs): Approaches Innovations” on May 5th. Mr. Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager of the World Bank Group, opened the session by highlighting the uniqueness of CFIs as member-based institutions. Mr. Perlat Sulaj, CEO of FED invest in Albania and Mand r. Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO of EBO SACCO in Uganda shared their experiences in obtaining external investments in the recent past. Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments of DID reacted to the presentations from the investor’s point of view. Ms. Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager of Rabo Partnerships moderated the discussion and the Q&A session with about 40 participants. One of the key highlights of the discussion was that the investments in CFIs are a balancing act between the member-based structure of the CFIs, their stability and growth, and the expectations of the investors. Please visit the CFI CoE website for a remaining question that was not addressed during the session.

.

.

CHAIR:

Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager, FCI GP, World Bank Group

Anderson is Practice Manager for Long-Term Finance, within the Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice, leading the Capital Markets, Infrastructure Finance, Housing Finance, Agriculture Finance, Pensions & Insurance product lines. Anderson joined the World Bank in 2006 and has been actively involved on advisory services to develop capital markets and on the design of financial solutions to mobilize financing through bond markets and for infrastructure financing. Prior to joining the World Bank, Anderson worked for the Brazilian Treasury from 1993 to 2005, where, among others, he served as Head of the Public Debt Strategic Planning Department, managing the risk, and formulating refinancing strategies in domestic and international capital markets for the overall government debt portfolio. Anderson holds a Ph.D. degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

.

SPEAKERS:

Perlat Sulaj, CEO, FED invest, Albania 

Perlat’s areas of expertise encompass financial and risk management, organizational development, microfinance, and SME credit management. He has gained a rich and versatile experience in microfinance for over two decades, holding several Senior Management positions including Director of Operations, Director of Business Development, Chief Finance Officer, and Chief Risk Officer. FED invest is the first pioneering microfinance institution established in Albania. He holds an MBA from University of Nebraska and a graduate degree in Mathematics from University of Tirana.

.

Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO, EBO SACCO, Uganda

Joseph has been leading EBO Saving and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) since 2014. EBO SACCO is situated in Western Uganda with over 52,000 individual members. Prior to the current position, he has held several management positions at EBO SACCO such as general manager and founding manager. He holds an MBA from Makerere University Business School.

.

.

Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments, DID

Robert has over 20 years of experience in investment management, corporate finance, and consulting. He is a Managing Director at Développement international Desjardin (DID), responsible for managing DID’s investment team and private market investment funds. Previously, Robert worked as an Investment Manager at the Qatar Investment Authority and as an Assistant Director in the Corporate Finance practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers in London. He has a Masters’ Degree in Economics and is a CFA and CIP.

.

MODERATOR:

Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager, Rabo Partnerships

Juliëtte is a Project Manager at Rabo Partnerships Advisory Services (RPAS), a dedicated consultancy unit within the Rabobank Group, focusing on capacity building of (rural) banks, Agri finance development, supply chain financing, and cooperative development. She is leading multiyear support programs and transformation programs in various African countries and has working experience in Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Juliëtte holds a master's degree in law and Economics from the University of Utrecht and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and is an experienced banker with a background in credit risk and special asset management.
.

. 

.

The Center of Excellence on CFIs organized a webinar, “Investments in Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs): Approaches Innovations” on May 5th. Mr. Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager of the World Bank Group, opened the session by highlighting the uniqueness of CFIs as member-based institutions. Mr. Perlat Sulaj, CEO of FED invest in Albania and Mand r. Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO of EBO SACCO in Uganda shared their experiences in obtaining external investments in the recent past. Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments of DID reacted to the presentations from the investor’s point of view. Ms. Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager of Rabo Partnerships moderated the discussion and the Q&A session with about 40 participants. One of the key highlights of the discussion was that the investments in CFIs are a balancing act between the member-based structure of the CFIs, their stability and growth, and the expectations of the investors. Please visit the CFI CoE website for a remaining question that was not addressed during the session.

.

WEBINAR RECORDING

 

CHAIR:

Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager, FCI GP, World Bank Group

Anderson is Practice Manager for Long-Term Finance, within the Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice, leading the Capital Markets, Infrastructure Finance, Housing Finance, Agriculture Finance, Pensions & Insurance product lines. Anderson joined the World Bank in 2006 and has been actively involved on advisory services to develop capital markets and on the design of financial solutions to mobilize financing through bond markets and for infrastructure financing. Prior to joining the World Bank, Anderson worked for the Brazilian Treasury from 1993 to 2005, where, among others, he served as Head of the Public Debt Strategic Planning Department, managing the risk, and formulating refinancing strategies in domestic and international capital markets for the overall government debt portfolio. Anderson holds a Ph.D. degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

.

SPEAKERS:

Perlat Sulaj, CEO, FED invest, Albania 

Perlat’s areas of expertise encompass financial and risk management, organizational development, microfinance, and SME credit management. He has gained a rich and versatile experience in microfinance for over two decades, holding several Senior Management positions including Director of Operations, Director of Business Development, Chief Finance Officer, and Chief Risk Officer. FED invest is the first pioneering microfinance institution established in Albania. He holds an MBA from University of Nebraska and a graduate degree in Mathematics from University of Tirana.

.

Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO, EBO SACCO, Uganda

Joseph has been leading EBO Saving and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) since 2014. EBO SACCO is situated in Western Uganda with over 52,000 individual members. Prior to the current position, he has held several management positions at EBO SACCO such as general manager and founding manager. He holds an MBA from Makerere University Business School.

.

.

Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments, DID

Robert has over 20 years of experience in investment management, corporate finance, and consulting. He is a Managing Director at Développement international Desjardin (DID), responsible for managing DID’s investment team and private market investment funds. Previously, Robert worked as an Investment Manager at the Qatar Investment Authority and as an Assistant Director in the Corporate Finance practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers in London. He has a Masters’ Degree in Economics and is a CFA and CIP.

.

MODERATOR:

Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager, Rabo Partnerships

Juliëtte is a Project Manager at Rabo Partnerships Advisory Services (RPAS), a dedicated consultancy unit within the Rabobank Group, focusing on capacity building of (rural) banks, Agri finance development, supply chain financing, and cooperative development. She is leading multiyear support programs and transformation programs in various African countries and has working experience in Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Juliëtte holds a master's degree in law and Economics from the University of Utrecht and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and is an experienced banker with a background in credit risk and special asset management.
.

. 

.

The Center of Excellence on CFIs organized a webinar, “Investments in Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs): Approaches Innovations” on May 5th. Mr. Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager of the World Bank Group, opened the session by highlighting the uniqueness of CFIs as member-based institutions. Mr. Perlat Sulaj, CEO of FED invest in Albania and Mand r. Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO of EBO SACCO in Uganda shared their experiences in obtaining external investments in the recent past. Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments of DID reacted to the presentations from the investor’s point of view. Ms. Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager of Rabo Partnerships moderated the discussion and the Q&A session with about 40 participants. One of the key highlights of the discussion was that the investments in CFIs are a balancing act between the member-based structure of the CFIs, their stability and growth, and the expectations of the investors. Please visit the CFI CoE website for a remaining question that was not addressed during the session.

.

CHAIR:

Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager, FCI GP, World Bank Group

Anderson is Practice Manager for Long-Term Finance, within the Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice, leading the Capital Markets, Infrastructure Finance, Housing Finance, Agriculture Finance, Pensions & Insurance product lines. Anderson joined the World Bank in 2006 and has been actively involved on advisory services to develop capital markets and on the design of financial solutions to mobilize financing through bond markets and for infrastructure financing. Prior to joining the World Bank, Anderson worked for the Brazilian Treasury from 1993 to 2005, where, among others, he served as Head of the Public Debt Strategic Planning Department, managing the risk, and formulating refinancing strategies in domestic and international capital markets for the overall government debt portfolio. Anderson holds a Ph.D. degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

.

SPEAKERS:

Perlat Sulaj, CEO, FED invest, Albania 

Perlat’s areas of expertise encompass financial and risk management, organizational development, microfinance, and SME credit management. He has gained a rich and versatile experience in microfinance for over two decades, holding several Senior Management positions including Director of Operations, Director of Business Development, Chief Finance Officer, and Chief Risk Officer. FED invest is the first pioneering microfinance institution established in Albania. He holds an MBA from University of Nebraska and a graduate degree in Mathematics from University of Tirana.

.

Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO, EBO SACCO, Uganda

Joseph has been leading EBO Saving and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) since 2014. EBO SACCO is situated in Western Uganda with over 52,000 individual members. Prior to the current position, he has held several management positions at EBO SACCO such as general manager and founding manager. He holds an MBA from Makerere University Business School.

.

.

Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments, DID

Robert has over 20 years of experience in investment management, corporate finance, and consulting. He is a Managing Director at Développement international Desjardin (DID), responsible for managing DID’s investment team and private market investment funds. Previously, Robert worked as an Investment Manager at the Qatar Investment Authority and as an Assistant Director in the Corporate Finance practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers in London. He has a Masters’ Degree in Economics and is a CFA and CIP.

.

MODERATOR:

Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager, Rabo Partnerships

Juliëtte is a Project Manager at Rabo Partnerships Advisory Services (RPAS), a dedicated consultancy unit within the Rabobank Group, focusing on capacity building of (rural) banks, Agri finance development, supply chain financing, and cooperative development. She is leading multiyear support programs and transformation programs in various African countries and has working experience in Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Juliëtte holds a master's degree in law and Economics from the University of Utrecht and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and is an experienced banker with a background in credit risk and special asset management.
.

. 

.

The Center of Excellence on CFIs organized a webinar, “Investments in Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs): Approaches Innovations” on May 5th. Mr. Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager of the World Bank Group, opened the session by highlighting the uniqueness of CFIs as member-based institutions. Mr. Perlat Sulaj, CEO of FED invest in Albania and Mand r. Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO of EBO SACCO in Uganda shared their experiences in obtaining external investments in the recent past. Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments of DID reacted to the presentations from the investor’s point of view. Ms. Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager of Rabo Partnerships moderated the discussion and the Q&A session with about 40 participants. One of the key highlights of the discussion was that the investments in CFIs are a balancing act between the member-based structure of the CFIs, their stability and growth, and the expectations of the investors. Please visit the CFI CoE website for a remaining question that was not addressed during the session.

.

WATCH WEBINAR RECORDING

.

.

CHAIR:

Anderson Caputo Silva, Practice Manager, FCI GP, World Bank Group

Anderson is Practice Manager for Long-Term Finance, within the Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice, leading the Capital Markets, Infrastructure Finance, Housing Finance, Agriculture Finance, Pensions & Insurance product lines. Anderson joined the World Bank in 2006 and has been actively involved on advisory services to develop capital markets and on the design of financial solutions to mobilize financing through bond markets and for infrastructure financing. Prior to joining the World Bank, Anderson worked for the Brazilian Treasury from 1993 to 2005, where, among others, he served as Head of the Public Debt Strategic Planning Department, managing the risk, and formulating refinancing strategies in domestic and international capital markets for the overall government debt portfolio. Anderson holds a Ph.D. degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

.

SPEAKERS:

Perlat Sulaj, CEO, FED invest, Albania 

Perlat’s areas of expertise encompass financial and risk management, organizational development, microfinance, and SME credit management. He has gained a rich and versatile experience in microfinance for over two decades, holding several Senior Management positions including Director of Operations, Director of Business Development, Chief Finance Officer, and Chief Risk Officer. FED invest is the first pioneering microfinance institution established in Albania. He holds an MBA from University of Nebraska and a graduate degree in Mathematics from University of Tirana.

.

Joseph Mugume Kazooba, CEO, EBO SACCO, Uganda

Joseph has been leading EBO Saving and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) since 2014. EBO SACCO is situated in Western Uganda with over 52,000 individual members. Prior to the current position, he has held several management positions at EBO SACCO such as general manager and founding manager. He holds an MBA from Makerere University Business School.

.

.

Robert Cheberiak, Managing Director of Investments, DID

Robert has over 20 years of experience in investment management, corporate finance, and consulting. He is a Managing Director at Développement international Desjardin (DID), responsible for managing DID’s investment team and private market investment funds. Previously, Robert worked as an Investment Manager at the Qatar Investment Authority and as an Assistant Director in the Corporate Finance practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers in London. He has a Masters’ Degree in Economics and is a CFA and CIP.

.

MODERATOR:

Juliëtte Hensgens, Project Manager, Rabo Partnerships

Juliëtte is a Project Manager at Rabo Partnerships Advisory Services (RPAS), a dedicated consultancy unit within the Rabobank Group, focusing on capacity building of (rural) banks, Agri finance development, supply chain financing, and cooperative development. She is leading multiyear support programs and transformation programs in various African countries and has working experience in Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Juliëtte holds a master's degree in law and Economics from the University of Utrecht and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and is an experienced banker with a background in credit risk and special asset management.
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Yes, we do have some external borrowings which contribute to about 20% of our funding structure, but mostly from like-minded investors/wholesale lenders.

Yes, none of these debts are secured, therefore subordinated in nature.

Yes, we do have some external borrowings which contribute about 20% of our funding structure but mostly from like-minded investors/wholesale lenders. Yes, these debts are none secured, therefore subordinated in nature.