Emerging Global Trends and The Opportunities for African Co-Operatives in Improving Members’ Wellbeing

Abstract

The world is transforming economically, financially, politically, and socially. It is also witnessing transformation in technology as well as changes in consumer preferences, climate, and global insecurity. This paper attempts to analyse these emerging global trends and the unfolding opportunities and constraints for African co-operatives in their move to improve members’ wellbeing. The qualitative paper used the desk review method where extensive literature review was done and employed content analysis of the available empirical findings. It focuses on analyzing emerging global trends and opportunities created for African co-operatives to improve members’ wellbeing but also attempts to address constraints likely to face African co-operatives in utilizing the emerging opportunities from emerging global development trends. The paper observes that since co-operatives are human-centered in nature, they are ideal organizations to help addressing global miseries by utilizing opportunities in various areas of human wellbeing. Co- operatives remain the feasible option for an all-inclusive development and growth for humankind worldwide. The paper recommends promotion of co-operative enterprises and creation of co- operative economies that will lead to socio-economic and political development in Africa. However, for these to happen, there must be concerted efforts to address constraints facing the African co-operative movement that include among others, conducive policy and legal environment. A massive promotional drive for establishment of various forms of co-operatives enterprises should also be initiated for the purpose of empowering the members and management of co-operative enterprises. Simultaneously efforts should be made and resources allocated to conduct training, research, and promote innovation to support the co-operative movement.