ILCU International Development Foundation

Thank you to Abbeyfeale Credit Union for their support of the Foundation's work. Your support allows us to continue supporting the development of credit unions in countries including Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania.

The cornerstone of credit union philosophy is "people helping people". With the support of the Irish credit unions, the Foundation supports the development of credit unions in other countries to ensure financial inclusion for everyone.

The Foundation is delighted to welcome Zeleke Yibetele, Head of SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperatives) Regulation at the Ethiopian Cooperatives Commission (ECC), to Ireland. The visit offers an opportunity to share knowledge and experience, as the ECC is working on reforms to strengthen cooperative societies as actors in Ethiopia’s domestic economy, including improvements in organisation, governance, market competitiveness, financial capacity, and regulatory oversight.

During Zeleke’s time in Ireland, he met with the Foundation team, attended an IFAD event, and met with the Central Bank. He also travelled to meet with Julie Galliagan from Cavan Credit Union Ltd and Michael Cunningham from St. Declan’s Ashbourne Credit Union, who shared their credit union's history and community impact. Whilst in Cavan, Zeleke also met with Niamh Kieran from Collaborative Finance CLG to hear more about Cultivate.

Thank you to everyone in Cavan Credit Union and St. Declan’s Ashbourne Credit Union for your warm welcome and to everyone who took the time to meet with Zeleke Yibetele. It was a fantastic opportunity to see cooperation among cooperatives in action. By strengthening the credit union movement, we are one step closer to achieving financial inclusion for all.

We all know the value of having a credit union in our local community. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial institutions grounded in the cooperative values of equality, mutual self-help & equity. Just as one strand becomes strong with many others, pooling resources to benefit the membership is central to our philosophy of people helping people.

Thanks to the support of Irish credit unions, you are helping us provide the training needed to develop sustainable credit unions in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Tanzania, giving people the opportunity to build savings and access affordable loans.

If your credit union wants more information about donating to our work, please click here www.ilcufoundation.ie/credit-unions/ to access the donation form or contact us.

Nyandeyama Credit Union held their Annual General Meeting in Sierra Leone. At the credit union, you are more than just a member - you are a part-owner. You are part of a global movement that provides affordable and ethical finance. Access to financial products and services can transform a community.

Our work supporting these credit unions is only possible thanks to the credit unions across Ireland that support the Foundation. If your credit union wants to donate to our work, please click here www.ilcufoundation.ie/credit-unions/ to access the donation form or contact us.

Meet the CU Member
Gibrilla Kabbah is a business owner who sells electronics at his store. He joined Moyamba Credit Union in 2018.

Gibrilla says," I joined the credit union because I did not have startup capital for my business at the time. Through the credit union, I was able to access capital, which allowed me to start and grow my business. The credit union has also supported me in many other ways. It has helped me pay my children’s school fees, take care of my home and family, and continue investing in my business. I encourage anyone who wants to improve their financial situation to join a credit union. It is one of the best ways to grow, save, and support yourself and your family."

Credit unions, like Moyamba Credit Union in Sierra Leone, provide people with access to affordable financial services. They help educate members, build stronger financial institutions, and drive positive change in their communities.

We are delighted to announce a new three-year Corporate Partnership with Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland. The partnership will support our work in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tanzania, helping expand access to financial services.

The Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland Credit Union team works with over 140 credit unions, assisting them with access to in-depth financial and investment resources available within the global Cantor Fitzgerald group. To read more about the partnership, please go to - https://www.ilcufoundation.ie/2026/05/25/the-foundation-and-cantor-fitzgerald-irealand-announce-three-year-partnership/

If your organisation would like more information about how you could support or partner with the Foundation, please get in touch with us.

Thank you to CCU Credit Union for their continued support and for donating to our work. With your support, the Foundation can continue to focus on supporting the education and training of staff and volunteers in credit unions and apex organisations to strengthen operations and governance within their credit union movements and to ensure the provision of much-needed access to affordable and ethical financial services.

We are hugely grateful to those who continue to support the Foundation and our work to build financial inclusion for all.

Please click here www.ilcufoundation.ie/credit-unions/ if your credit union would like to donate to our work.

The Foundation had a fantastic two days in the RDS Dublin at the Irish League of Credit Unions Conference and AGM. It was a great chance to reconnect with everyone, discuss our work, and most importantly, thank Irish credit unions for their continued support. We even had a great opportunity to meet and share about our work with former World Boxing Champion Barry McGuigan!

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand over the two days. It was fantastic to see so many of you in Dublin!

Credit unions are all about "People helping people". We are hugely grateful to those who continue to support the Foundation and our work to build financial inclusion for all.

Thank you to Larne Credit Union for continuing to support our work this year.

With the Irish Credit Union's support, the Foundation can continue to focus on the education and training of staff and volunteers in credit unions and apex organisations, enhancing strong operations and governance within their credit union movements and ensuring much-needed access to affordable and ethical financial services.

Please click here www.ilcufoundation.ie/credit-unions/ if your credit union wants to donate to our work.