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Secondary co-operatives
Secondary co-operatives (also variously described as “union” or “federal” co-operatives) can be
organized for many different purposes. It is quite possible, and quite common, for a primary co-
operative to be a member of several secondary co-operatives, depending on its needs and the
local co-operative structure.
The secondary co-operative can, because of its larger volume of business or its wider
representational base, undertake functions, provide services, and make representations, which
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would be beyond the capacity of all but the very largest primary co-operatives. Secondary co-
operatives are a from of vertical integration providing the opportunity for economies of scale,
scope for development and improved administration.
Secondary co-operatives can in turn form other secondary co-operatives - sometimes called
tertiary co-operatives. In many countries there is one apex federation representative of all other
co-operatives in the country and providing, at the national level, representative, advisory and
professional services to the co-operative movement as a whole. These national co-operatives can
then be affiliated to international organizations such as the International Co-operative Alliance.
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• No Cooperative League developed in Ethiopia So far.