Discussion on the contribution of co-operatives to poverty reduction in Africa since the early 1990s has quite often been based on their potential role rather than the actual impact partly due to the dearth of empirical studies. This paper departs from such discussions to empirically demonstrate that co-operatives have significantly contributed to poverty reduction in Africa by, among others, mobilising and distributing financial capital; creating employment and income-generating opportunities; availing a forum for education and training; and creating solidarity schemes that cater for unexpected expenses related to illness, social welfare, death and other socio-economic problems.