Services

The Co-operative Societies Act #2 of 2011 establishes the division by establishing the position of registrar and the staff.

The department is mandated to provide the following services:

1. Registration - the Registrar of Co-operative Societies other than Co-operative Credit Unions
   1. An application for registration must be submitted to the Registrar of Co-operatives.
   2. Membership shall consist of no less than ten (10) members.
   3. The project/business must be economically viable and have provision for equity capital expansion and continuous growth.
   4. For a Junior cooperative, the majority of members must be below fifteen (15) years of age and for other co-operatives, eighteen (18) years.
   5. The word Co-operative or Ltd must form part of the Society’s name and in the case of a Junior Co-operative; Junior must be part of the Society’s name.
   6. The group must maintain an address to which all notices and communications must be sent.
   7. By-laws must be in conformity with the Co-operatives Societies Act, No. 2 of 2011 and Regulations.
   8. When the Commissioner is satisfied that an application is made in accordance with the Co-operative Societies Act of 2011, he will within three months register that Society.
2. Inspection and monitoring of all co-operatives other than Credit Unions
3. Promotion of the Co-operative Business Model in communities and schools
4. Supervision and regulation of all co-operative societies.
5. Provide education and training to co-operators and prospective members in areas such as:
   1. Management
   2. Financial Management
   3. Co-operative Philosophy
   4. Business Skills
6. The department is also responsible for the dissolution of co-operatives