Lomé: Knowledge Capitalization Workshop on DIGICOOP-WA

Dates: December 2–5, 2024
Location: Lomé, Togo
Theme: Digital Transformation of the CIF Network: What Post-DigiCoop-WA Strategy to Sustain Achievements and Better Serve Grassroots Populations?

I. Context

As part of the synergy of actions between the Network of the Confederation of Financial Institutions in West Africa (CIF) and Swiss Cooperation for better financial inclusion in West Africa, the project of Digitalization of Cooperatives and Financial Mutuals in West Africa (DigiCoop-WA) was designed and implemented.

The goal of the DigiCoop-WA project is the improvement of the living conditions of West African populations, particularly women, small producers, and youth, through access to and use of digital financial services at the level of cooperatives and financial mutuals.

The two-year project was implemented by CIF through its six member networks, which are:
(i) Faîtière des Caisses d’Epargne et de Crédit Agricole Mutuel du Bénin (FECECAM-BENIN);
(ii) Réseau des Caisses Populaires du Burkina (RCPB);
(iii) Union des Caisses d’Epargne et de Crédit « NYESIGISO » du Mali;
(iv) Union des Caisses Mutuelles d’Epargne et de Crédit du Mali « KAFO JIGINEW »;
(v) Faîtière des Unités Coopératives d’Epargne et de Crédit du Togo (FUCEC-TOGO); and
(vi) Union des Mutuelles du Partenariat pour la Mobilisation de l’Epargne et le Crédit in Senegal (UM-PAMECAS).

To achieve the objectives targeted by the project, the cooperatives and financial mutuals under the leadership of CIF developed and deployed different categories of digital products to meet the population’s needs. These include digital savings collection, digital credit (agricultural and specific to women), digital payment means, card services, and e-financial education.

To sustain the project’s achievements and improve future actions, a knowledge management process on the DigiCoop-WA project was initiated by CIF. The knowledge generated will be shared with project stakeholders during a knowledge capitalization workshop from December 2 to 5, 2024, in Lomé at the Hôtel 2 Février.

The workshop is placed under the theme: Digital Transformation of the CIF Network: What Post-DigiCoop-WA Strategy to Sustain Achievements and Better Serve Grassroots Populations?

II. Objectives of the Workshop

The workshop’s objectives are:

1. Communicate the results of the evaluation, good practices, and lessons learned from DigiCoop-WA to all project stakeholders to promote learning and improve the quality of future actions;
2. Encourage reflection to reach sustainable solutions allowing for maintaining the achievements of DigiCoop-WA within the CIF Network and better responding to the needs of local populations;
3. Recognize the merit of the best field actors involved in the implementation of the DigiCoop-WA project within the CIF Network.

III. Expected Results

At the end of the workshop, the following results are expected:

1. The progress recorded, improvements made, and knowledge acquired through the DigiCoop-WA project are shared with all stakeholders;
2. Pathways for ensuring the sustainability of the DigiCoop-WA project’s achievements within the CIF Network are identified;
3. Awards are given to the most deserving field actors in the implementation of the DigiCoop-WA project within the CIF Network.

IV. Workshop Format

The workshop’s methodological approach will be participatory. It will include presentations on the results of the DigiCoop-WA project, direct and open exchanges in plenary between participants, panels on various experiences, and brainstorming on the prospects for digitalization within the CIF Network.

The regional workshop aims to be a space for sharing all the knowledge captured and documented on the DigiCoop-WA project. The participants will include actors from the CIF Network, country directors of Swiss Cooperation, Togolese authorities, and CIF’s technical and financial partners, including SCBF, UNFPA, KFW, and BFT Group.

The workshop will conclude with the recognition of the most deserving field actors in the implementation of the DigiCoop-WA project within CIF’s financial cooperatives and mutuals.

Contact:
ZALLA Adjara, Capitalization Officer
Phone: +226 25 37 64 60 / +226 71 75 63 55
Email: aouattara@cif-ao.org