From Vilnius to Nairobi: Lessons in Cooperative Strength from Lithuania’s Credit Union Network
2025-08-01In July 2025, I had the privilege of leading a WOCCU Cooperative Exchange that brought a high-level delegation from the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA) to Lithuania. Our destination: the Lithuanian Central Credit Union (LCCU) Group—one of Europe’s most integrated, secure and forward-thinking cooperative banking systems.
Our goal was simple but ambitious: to see firsthand how Lithuania transformed its once-fragmented credit union sector into a unified, resilient network operating under European Union banking standards—without losing its cooperative heart.
By the end of the week, it was clear to all of us that Lithuania’s experience offers not just inspiration, but a practical roadmap for strengthening credit union systems worldwide.
What We Learned
The Lithuanian model showed us that credit unions can:
- Match bank-equivalent regulatory standards while staying true to their member-owned values.
- Use shared risk systems, like the LCCU’s Unlimited Cross-Guarantee Scheme, to protect depositors and reinforce trust across the network.
- Offer centralized services—from compliance and AML/CTF monitoring to accounting and risk management—that cut costs while raising operational standards.
- Embed sustainability and community engagement into their core operations, creating both social impact and public goodwill.
- Approach digital transformation with strong governance, ensuring new technologies enhance—not erode—inclusion and trust.
Why This Matters for African SACCOs
For African Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), these lessons could be transformative.
Opportunities we discussed included:
- Creating national or regional central credit unions for liquidity support and shared compliance functions.
- Adopting cross-guarantee mechanisms to enhance sector stability.
- Leveraging shared technology platforms to improve efficiency and meet regulatory requirements.
- Building capacity in risk management, governance and digital tools to strengthen resilience in a fast-changing financial landscape.
Reflections from the Delegation
One of the most rewarding parts of this exchange was hearing how participants connected what they saw in Lithuania to the realities back home.
“What we saw in Lithuania proves that credit unions can achieve world-class prudential standards without losing their community roots. This model is about solidarity in action—every institution’s strength supports the whole system," said David Mategwa, Board Chair, Kenya National Police DT SACCO.
“International exchanges like this are invaluable. Seeing how another country has solved challenges we all face inspires innovation and gives us practical strategies we can adapt back home,” said Awah Richard Ndoh, Assistant General Manager, Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League (CamCCUL).
From our colleagues in Lithuania, there was an appreciation for coming together and sharing across our global community.
“Our strength as a system comes from the fact that we succeed or fail together. The cross-guarantee scheme is more than a safety net—it’s a daily reminder that every credit union’s success contributes to the stability of the whole. We are honored to share our experience and to learn from our African colleagues as well, said Eglė Balčiūnė, Chief Financial Officer, Lithuanian Central Credit Union.
A Global Conversation Worth Having
As I reflect on our time in Vilnius, I’m reminded that the strength of our global cooperative movement lies in these kinds of exchanges. When credit union leaders connect across borders, they realize our challenges—and our solutions—are more alike than different.
That’s why WOCCU will continue to facilitate opportunities for leaders to learn from each other, challenge assumptions, and bring fresh ideas back to their communities.
If you’re a credit union executive ready to see the world through the lens of our cooperative values, I invite you to join a future WOCCU Cooperative Exchange. The insights you gain will not just inspire you—they’ll strengthen your institution and the movement as a whole.
To learn more about participating, contact me at tbelekevich@woccu.org.
Thomas Belekevich
WOCCU Director of Member Services