Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of the Congo ๐จ๐ฉ who was executรชd in a firing squad and his body was dissolved in sulfuric acid, by Belgium/USA allies because he tried to protect his countryโs minerals.
They'll let this be in History books. ๐๐
It was an honour to deliver a Special Address at the Inclusive Citizens: Women of Influence Program, convened by the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations @accosca in Nairobi.
The cooperative sector governs over 1.156 trillion Kenyan shillings in member savings across Kenya alone. Yet women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups continue to be underserved by financial products and policies that were simply not designed with them in mind.
That is the conversation ACCOSCA is courageously leading: how do we build financial systems that leave no one behind? How do we design cooperative products that meet people where they are, not where policy assumes them to be?
Inclusion is not a favour extended to the marginalized. It is the condition under which all of us can build, grow, and thrive together.
Grateful to the SACCO leaders from across Africa who gathered for this program. The work you are doing to strengthen inclusive financial ecosystems on this continent is work that changes lives.
We spent the afternoon in Lucky summer where we conversed with the women on which way next. I was moved by their passion, indefatigable energy, and clarity on what they want from their representatives. Lucky summer wako ndakas!
#NikoNaImani