Abstract:
Digital technologies hold transformative potential for African co
operatives, yet their adoption remains uneven, often prioritising hype over grassroots
realities. This study critically examines how digital tools, ranging from blockchain to
Short Message Services (SMS) platforms, can genuinely empower member-driven
enterprises while preserving co-operative values of equity and democratic
governance. Through a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta
Analyses (PRISMA)-guided systematic review of 537 peer-reviewed articles (2020
2024), including 15 Francophone African cases and bibliometric analysis
(VOSviewer), we map trends, expose disparities, and analyse cases from Kenya,
Ghana, and Senegal. Findings reveal three critical gaps: (1) Misaligned priorities,
where 70% of studies focus on East Africa and advanced technologies like Artificial
Intelligence (AI), despite low adoption rates in low-infrastructure contexts; (2)
Exclusionary designs, with 60% of tech pilots neglecting gender, literacy, and rural
urban divides; and (3) Success stories, such as Kenya’s M-Farm SMS system, which
outperforms complex tools by centring accessibility. Grounded in participatory development theory and decolonial tech critiques, we argue that digital
transformation must prioritise appropriateness over sophistication. Our member
centric framework proposes tiered solutions: voice-AI for illiterate members, co
operative-owned data governance, and youth-led digital literacy programmes. For
policymakers, we recommend funding shared platforms, e.g., cross-border fintech for
Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs), and mandating gender
inclusive design. Researchers must shift from isolated pilots to longitudinal studies
co-created with co-operatives, while Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
should establish rural tech hubs. This study reorients the digitalisation debate
towards inclusive innovation, offering actionable pathways to revolutionise Africa’s
co-operative movement beyond hype, ensuring technology amplifies, rather than
undermines, collective power.
