A Historic Milestone: United Asian Network Launches First-Ever Dedicated SACCO for the Asian Community in Kenya

Nairobi, 10th July 2026 - The United Asian Network (UAN) has marked a historic milestone for both the organization and the Kenyan Asian community following the official presentation of the United Asian Network SACCO Certificate on 10th July 2026.

The regulatory certificate was formally presented to UAN Chairman, Dr. Bimal Kantaria, by senior officials from the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development. This landmark achievement officially establishes the very first SACCO exclusively dedicated to serving and empowering the Asian community in Kenya.

The establishment of the UAN SACCO represents a major structural advancement in fostering financial inclusion and resilience. Beyond cultivating a robust national culture of savings, the cooperative is strategically designed to provide localized, agile capital. It will allow small and medium-sized individuals and businesses to access financing and borrow at significantly cheaper rates and with faster turnaround times than traditional retail banks.

Leadership & Appreciation

UAN is incredibly proud to announce and extend its warmest congratulations to Shilpa Haria, who has graciously agreed to serve as the inaugural Chair of the UAN SACCO. Under her leadership, the institution is uniquely positioned to fulfill its economic empowerment mandate. Democratic elections to fill the remaining seats on the Board of Directors will be organized and announced in due course.

The organization also expresses its profound gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Malkit Singh Main for his tireless, dedicated efforts and stewardship throughout the rigorous regulatory approval processes with the Ministry.

A Call to Action for Community Leaders

With operations now officially institutionalized, UAN leadership is issuing an urgent call to action to all community leaders across the country. Leaders are strongly requested to actively encourage their entire membership—with a distinct and intentional focus on women and youth—to join the SACCO immediately.

By bringing women and youth entrepreneurs who run small businesses or are launching new enterprises to the forefront, the SACCO will act as an incubator for grassroots commerce and financial independence.

"Together, we are building a secure, accessible, and prosperous financial future for all!"

Membership registration procedures, onboarding portals, and further operational timelines will be distributed transparently to the community in the coming days.

About United Asian Network (UAN)

The United Asian Network (UAN) is a premier community-focused organization in Kenya dedicated to fostering social integration, economic empowerment, and collaborative progress. Through strategic economic, social, and cultural frameworks, UAN acts as a bridge for collective prosperity and development within the Kenyan Asian community and the nation at large.