Distinguished Service Awards
Honouring Exceptional Service, Transformational Leadership, and a Lifetime of Contribution to the Growth and Prosperity of Africa’s Cooperative Movement.
Celebrating a Legacy of Transformational Leadership and Service to Africa
A special institutional recognition of exceptional individuals and/ or organisations whose distinguished leadership, unwavering commitment, and sustained contributions have significantly advanced the cooperative movement across Africa.
The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is ACDF’s highest honor, recognizing individuals whose exceptional service and leadership have brought about meaningful and lasting change across Africa’s cooperative and SACCO movement. Reserved for those whose contributions have been truly transformational, the award celebrates actions that strengthen institutions, advance financial inclusion, and create enduring benefits for SACCOs and their members.
The award is not presented on a fixed schedule, making this recognition particularly rare and significant. Each honoree is selected based on the extraordinary impact of their contributions and the lasting legacy they leave for the continent’s cooperative sector.
Award Winners
Their actions have brought about significant change to the continent – change that will impact our SACCOs and their members for many years to come.
Hon. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof (ADE, I-CUDE)
2025
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2025 — Accra, Ghana
Baboucarr Jeng (ADE, I-CUDE)
2023
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2023 — Gaborone, Botswana
Renée Sattiewhite (CUDE)
2023
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2023 — Gaborone, Botswana
Robert Trunzo
2023
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2023 — Gaborone, Botswana
Michael Ray (CUDE, I-CUDE)
2019
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2019 — Mombasa, Kenya
Mebratu Tsengaye (I-CUDE)
2019
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2019 — Mombasa, Kenya
Lois Kitsch (AADE, I-CUDE)
2018
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2018 — Accra, Ghana
Doctor Hlowangwane (ADE)
2018
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2018 — Accra, Ghana
David Mategwa (AADE, I-CUDE, OGW)
2017
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2017 — Lilongwe, Malawi
Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada
2017
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2017 — Lilongwe, Malawi
Carilus Ademba (ADE, I-CUDE)
2010
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2010 — Maseru, Lesotho
Sylvester Kadzola (ADE, I-CUDE)
2010
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2010 — Maseru, Lesotho
Amb. Emmanuel Darko (DSA)
2010
Presented:
SACCA Congress 2010 — Maseru, Lesotho