Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London
Horizon Savings and Credit Cooperative Holds Founding Conference in Mekelle
The Horizon Savings and Credit Cooperative convened its founding conference on 9 December 2025 at the Aksum Hotel in Mekelle, bringing together participants from multiple sectors to advance a community-driven microfinance initiative designed to support Tigray’s post-war recovery.
Horizon’s guiding motto, “Building Your Future, Protecting Your Journey,” reflects its mission to strengthen community resilience through accessible and transparent financial services. Participants highlighted that the most successful cooperative finance models globally operate under the principle “of the people, by the people, for the people,” a philosophy Horizon intends to embed within its operations.
Speakers emphasized that savings and credit cooperatives have historically helped millions of low-income families improve their livelihoods, expand small businesses and build long-term assets. In war-affected Tigray, where savings have been depleted and household vulnerabilities have deepened, the cooperative aims to rebuild financial capacity with a particular focus on women-led households and economically strained families.
As part of its service portfolio, Horizon SACCO announced several targeted financial products tailored to diverse community needs. These include child savings accounts, home-building savings and credit schemes, transport-sector financial products and dedicated savings mechanisms for the elderly and vulnerable households.
The cooperative also plans to offer inclusive services for persons with disabilities and women, while extending special support and flexible financial opportunities to veterans in recognition of their service.
The leadership underscored its commitment to community ownership, corporate social responsibility and inclusive growth. Horizon aims to help citizens protect their assets, access credit and participate in rebuilding efforts through transparent and accountable financial systems.
Looking ahead, the cooperative intends to expand into broader investment areas including real estate, construction, import export trade, agriculture, health and technology. These initiatives, the leadership said, are part of a long-term strategy to stimulate economic revival and support sustainable development across Tigray.
The founding conference concluded with calls for unity, collaboration and renewed determination as Horizon Savings and Credit Cooperative positions itself to contribute meaningfully to the region’s recovery and future prosperity.
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