BlockCoop SACCO Launches Africa’s First Blockchain-Powered Cooperative, Transforming SACCO Finance

By Gedion Nzyoki - 

From right: BlockCoop SACCO Director Gideon Gitonga and Nomadchain Director Githinji, flanked by other officials, pose for a photo during the BlockCoop SACCO launch. Photo: Courtesy.

  • Kenya has launched BlockCoop SACCO, a blockchain-powered cooperative introducing a digital-first approach to modernize and streamline SACCO operations
  • The platform is designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and member participation through innovative financial and governance models
  • The initiative has gained early traction, supported by strategic partnerships aimed at scaling the model and expanding its impact within the cooperative sector
Nairobi, Kenya | April 27, 2026 — Kenya has taken a major step in redefining cooperative finance following the launch of BlockCoop SACCO, the country’s first blockchain-powered savings and credit cooperative. The innovation is being hailed as a milestone in modernizing SACCO operations, positioning Kenya at the forefront of financial technology adoption in Africa.


The newly launched platform introduces a digital-first model designed to address persistent challenges that have long affected SACCOs, including illiquid shares, limited transparency, costly manual audits, low member participation, and restrictive lending systems tied to guarantors.

Speaking on Monday morning during the launch held at the iconic Piano Westlands, BlockCoop SACCO Director Gideon Gitonga said the initiative marks a deliberate shift toward a more inclusive and efficient cooperative ecosystem.

“As we advance cooperative finance, our focus is on leveraging innovation to address structural challenges while expanding access and trust. Blockchain technology enables us to build a more transparent, inclusive, and efficient SACCO model,” Gitonga said.

At the core of BlockCoop SACCO is a blockchain-based infrastructure that digitizes and automates key SACCO functions. The system introduces tradable digital shares, allowing members to buy and sell ownership stakes—effectively unlocking liquidity in a sector where funds have traditionally remained locked.

The platform also features real-time transparency dashboards, enabling members to monitor SACCO operations as they occur, alongside automated audit systems that significantly reduce costs and improve accuracy.
Governance has also been restructured through a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) model, giving members direct voting power and increasing participation in decision-making processes.

BlockCoop SACCO is also disrupting traditional lending frameworks by replacing guarantor-based loan approvals with digital asset-backed lending and guarantor pools. This model broadens access to credit, particularly for members who may lack guarantors but demonstrate financial credibility.
By integrating trust-based scoring mechanisms, the SACCO aims to create a more flexible and inclusive credit system.

Growth and Market Performance

Since launching its share trading platform on October 1, 2025, BlockCoop SACCO has recorded rapid growth. The cooperative has reached an estimated market capitalization of KES 1.3 billion (over $14 million) and attracted more than 1,300 token holders, reflecting rising investor and member confidence.

Its digital asset, BLOCKS, has also demonstrated significant growth, increasing in value from $1 at launch to approximately $7, signaling strong demand backed by real utility within the ecosystem.

To expand usage, the SACCO has introduced the “Lipa na BLOCKS” loyalty programme, allowing users to make payments via till numbers, paybills, and mobile transactions while earning discounts.
The initiative is open to the public, broadening access beyond SACCO members and encouraging wider participation in the platform.

In a bid to accelerate growth and regional expansion, BlockCoop SACCO has announced strategic partnerships with HF Group and Nomachain.

HF Group will provide compliant SACCO infrastructure to ensure adherence to regulatory standards, while Nomachain will support the tokenization of SACCO assets and shares. 

This includes unlocking the value of traditionally illiquid assets such as land and buildings, enabling new investment opportunities and improving liquidity across the sector.

Also in attendance were Gerald Githinji, Director at Nomachain, while Kelvin Mutambu, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for both BlockCoop SACCO and BlockCoop Investments Ltd., joined the launch virtually.

Overview of BlockCoop SACCO

BlockCoop is a purpose-built infrastructure layer for SACCOs, designed to modernize traditional cooperative finance into a fully digital, transparent, and efficient ecosystem powered by blockchain technology.

Its digital asset, BLOCKS, represents cooperative ownership linked to real economic activity, enabling members to access income opportunities, improved liquidity, and active participation within a transparent, decentralized financial ecosystem.

With the cooperative sector undergoing rapid transformation, BlockCoop SACCO stands at the forefront of innovation, championing a new era of inclusive, efficient, and technology-driven financial systems across Africa.

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