“Focus on the well being of the people.” - George Ombado

Welcome to episode 48 The CUInsight Experience with your host Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. In this episode, Randy welcomes George Ombado, CEO of ACCOSCA, a Pan-African confederation of national associations of savings and credit cooperatives societies. This episode was recorded at the 20th Annual SACCA Congress in Mombasa, Kenya.

ACCOSCA has developed programs aimed at improving socio-economic needs of Africa through saving and credit unions, partnering with various government bodies, development agencies and research institutions to contribute towards mitigating challenges facing Africa in the twenty-first century.

Listen to this conversation about credit union growth in Africa, and the differences to the more mature U.S. credit union system. George talks about how he’s fashioned the Africa Development Education program after attending DE in North Carolina and shares a great story about Bill and Crissy Cheney helping him get home after his flight was canceled due to snow.

George is inspired to see that young people and women are being accepted by the leadership today because these things wouldn’t have been possible ten years ago. He is working to build the regulatory framework in Africa because it builds confidence to have it, whereas, in the U.S, we are trying to get rid of some of it. 

George has excellent insight into the global credit union movement of today, and you won’t want to miss what he has to say. Enjoy!

Find the full show notes at CUInsight.com.

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How to find George:
George Ombado, CEO of the Africa Confederation of Co-operative Savings & Credit Associations (ACCOSCA)
www.ACCOSCA.org
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

In This Episode:
[01:58] - George, Welcome to the show!
[02:38] - George discusses what ACCOSCA is and what they are involved in.
[04:41] - They talk about Africa’s DE programs and why they are so invaluable.
[06:23] - George went to a DE program in North Carolina and had Crissy Cheney in his class. He used what he learned to set up the program in Africa.
[08:22] - They speak about the global board that George has set up.
[10:40] - Why does Africa see such growth in credit unions while the U.S considers a decrease?
[14:14] - George took the job at ACCOSCA to bring the level of engagement up and to have the ability to help his country.
[16:10] - Has your inspiration for taking the job changed over the years?
[17:50] - George says his leadership style is hands-on; he likes to empower people and see people get the right opportunities.
[18:46] - He feels that his team would say that he pushes to get things done.
[19:18] - George talks about planning all the time.
[19:53] - The 2020 SACCA Congress will be held in the Kingdom of Eswatini in South Africa.
[20:21] - What mistakes do you see young leaders make today?
[21:30] - When George gets frustrated, he puts his head