Amigos Launches Ethiopia’s First Smart Service Centre for Savings and Credit Co-operatives

Amigos Savings and Credit Co-operative Society has launched what it describes as Ethiopia’s first smart service centre within the co-operative sector, introducing a paperless system intended to allow members to access services digitally and from their locations.

The new centre is designed to replace conventional paper-based processes with smart devices and digital workflows, according to Dawit Woldemariam, chairman of the Amigos board. He said the system would enable members to access services without having to visit the co-operative’s offices.

The launch was attended by Shisema Gebreselassie, deputy commissioner, who said savings and credit co-operatives have accounted for a significant share of the recent development of Ethiopia’s co-operative sector.

He said Amigos had been working to modernise its operations and that the introduction of a paperless smart service centre represented a model that could be adopted by other co-operatives.

The initiative also comes as Ethiopia seeks to expand digitalisation across the economy by 2030. Shisema said efforts were underway to encourage savings and credit co-operatives to contribute to the country’s digitalisation objectives.

Dawit said the new operating model was the first of its kind at the co-operative level in Ethiopia and would allow members to receive services remotely, reducing the need for physical paperwork and in-person visits.

Source: FSX Business News