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- Lake Region Economic Block Cooperative Conference: Housing Investment Opportunities Kisumu December 2025
Lake Region Economic Block Cooperative Conference: Housing Investment Opportunities Kisumu December 2025
LAKE REGION ECONOMIC BLOCK COOPERATIVE CONFERENCE 4TH-6TH DEC, 2025 Kisumu - Mambo Leo Stadium
Gerald Kombo
November 11, 2025
George Musembi - Chief Officer of Properties, City County
2,000 International Investors Expected at Major LREB Gathering
The Lake Region Economic Block Cooperative Conference will host 2,000+ international investors, cooperative societies, and SACCO representatives at Mambo Leo Stadium, Kisumu from December 4-6, 2025, offering access to housing cooperative funding, cheap credit facilities, and sustainable development partnerships across 14 LREB counties.
Major Housing Cooperative Investment Opportunities
Conference Venue: Mambo Leo Stadium, Kisumu County, Kenya
Expected Attendees: 2,000+ participants including international funding providers, development finance institutions, housing cooperative societies, SACCO representatives, and government officials
Primary Investment Focus: Residential housing cooperatives seeking international funding and low-interest financing
George Mutiso Musembi, Chief Officer - Cooperatives, Nairobi City County, outlined the investment opportunity:
Of course, the issue of housing, especially residential, is very key in this aspect. And we want international investors, especially those who can afford to give grants, cheap credit, to housing cooperatives so that they can enhance the quality and accessibility of housing in those areas.
Regional Accommodation Ready for Conference Delegates
Primary Hotels: Kisumu County properties including Sarova Imperial and Acacia Premier
Extended Network: Accommodation extends to Kakamega, Siaya, and Kericho counties for overflow delegates
George Mutiso Musembi confirmed the region's readiness:
We expect not less than 2,000 participants or exhibitors, delegates, stakeholders to attend. And Kisumu has very many, has very good hotels and other facilities that can accommodate these people. And we can stretch all the way to Kakamega, Siaya, and all the towns in Kericho.
Kenya's Cooperative Sector: Ksh 1 Trillion Market Driving Economic Growth
Current Market Statistics:
Total SACCO assets: Over Ksh 1 trillion
Direct employment: 300,000+ jobs
GDP contribution: 43%
Population served: 63% of Kenyans (approximately 31.5 million people)
2025 Government Budget: KES 7.4 billion allocated for cooperative development
CS Wycliffe Oparanya highlighted the sector's transformative impact:
Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) have surpassed the one trillion-shilling mark in total assets, providing direct employment to over 300,000 people and contributing approximately 43% of Kenya's GDP.
International Funding Providers Expected at Kisumu Conference
Target Attendees:
Housing cooperative societies seeking capital
SACCO representatives pursuing expansion funding
International development finance institutions
Organizations focused on Africa
County government cooperative officers
Agricultural cooperative societies
Conference Theme: "Empowering Communities through Cooperative Innovation and Sustainable Development"
Hosted by: Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, County Government of Kisumu, and Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB)
Kenya Assumes Leadership of Africa's Cooperative Movement
Continental Role: CS Oparanya chairs the Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference (AMCCO) from October 2025 through 2028, making Kenya the continental leader in cooperative policy development.
This three-year leadership position makes the December Kisumu conference more significant for African cooperative partnerships, policy harmonization, and cross-border investment opportunities.
Coffee Sector Development Initiatives Across Lake Region
Major Coffee-Producing Counties: Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Kericho, Nandi
While Nairobi County focuses on housing cooperatives, coffee-producing counties will showcase sector-specific development initiatives.
Lake Region Economic Bloc: 15 Million People, Vast Investment Potential
Member Counties (14): Migori, Nyamira, Siaya, Vihiga, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Kericho
Combined Population: 15 million (31% of Kenya's total population)
Strategic Advantages:
Gateway to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda
Direct access to COMESA and SADC markets
Lake Victoria trade routes
High agricultural productivity
Digital Transformation Driving Kenya's Cooperative Sector
Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Priorities:
Digitization and automation of cooperative services
Strengthened governance structures
Comprehensive capacity building programs
Implementation of Cooperative Model Law for Africa
Regional trade barrier elimination
CS Oparanya's vision emphasizes removing growth obstacles:
We must dismantle tariffs, streamline customs procedures, and harmonize regulatory frameworks. Together, we can make cooperatives the cornerstone of Africa's transformation, not only in overcoming poverty and inequality, but also in unlocking innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
What Cooperative Leaders Will Learn at the Conference
Knowledge Sharing Focus:
International cooperative governance models
Funding application best practices
SACCO digital transformation strategies
Housing cooperative financing structures
Agricultural value chain development
Risk management frameworks
Conference Leadership and Organization
Hosted by:
Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development
County Government of Kisumu
Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB)
Key Leaders:Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, EGH - Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development
H.E. Prof. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o - Governor, Kisumu County
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