Simon Tanui, General Manager of Operations and Strategy at Kenya National Police Deposit-Taking (DT) SACCO, has been awarded the International Credit Union Development Educator (I-CUDE) credential, joining a select group of 15 professionals worldwide recognised in the 2026 class.
Tanui received the honour during the Global DE Social at the 2026 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) in Sydney, Australia. The I-CUDE designation recognises professionals who have shown outstanding commitment to cooperative values, international collaboration, leadership and the advancement of financial inclusion.
The achievement marks a milestone for Kenya’s cooperative sector, reflecting the country’s growing influence within the global credit union movement.
WCUC Draws 2,400 Leaders
More than 2,400 credit union and financial cooperative leaders from 39 countries gathered in Sydney for the four-day 2026 World Credit Union Conference, featuring keynotes, educational sessions and collaborative discussion on strengthening the global cooperative finance movement.
The conference, hosted by the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and Australia’s Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA), brought together movement leaders to examine forces reshaping financial services and to identify ways to better serve members and communities worldwide.
“The strength of the global credit union movement comes from our willingness to learn from one another, confront shared challenges and work together toward solutions,” said World Council President and CEO Paul Treinen. “The ideas and relationships built this week in Sydney will help credit unions remain relevant, resilient and ready to meet the changing needs of their members and communities around the world.”
During the conference, former WOCCU Board Chair Michael Lawrence formally handed over leadership to incoming chair Joe Thomas in a ceremonial transfer.
“I want to thank you for all you do for your credit unions and leagues, and for your support and unwavering commitment to our shared vision,” said Thomas. “Together, let us forge a brighter future for our members and the communities we serve around the globe.”
The event also marked 25 years of the World Young Credit Union Professionals Program (WYCUP), recognizing its role in developing emerging leaders and building professional networks across the movement.
Sessions throughout the conference covered leadership, digital money, cross-border payments, cybersecurity, regulation, financial inclusion and the future of cooperative finance.
The next World Credit Union Conference will take place 25–28 July 2027 in Dublin, Ireland.
A Future Built on Belonging and Legacy
At the Global DE Social, Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) President Mike Reuter challenged the global credit union movement to build a future rooted in belonging, possibility and legacy. The event brought together Development Education graduates from around the world to celebrate their shared commitment to cooperative leadership and community impact.
Reuter invited attendees to reflect on why they chose the cooperative finance movement and urged them to become active owners of its future. Cooperative finance, he said, is more than a financial model — it is a movement driven by people investing in one another. He encouraged leaders to strengthen the movement through leadership development, global financial inclusion and philanthropy as a catalyst for lasting impact.
“Belonging. Possibility. Legacy,” Reuter said. “Three words. Three notes in the chord that holds this movement together. And beneath them is a simple logic: movement ownership fuels philanthropy, philanthropy fuels impact, impact deepens ownership.”
