CoBank announces $250,000 contribution to NRECA International

DENVER (March 9, 2026) — CoBank, a cooperative bank serving the electric industry, agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, has contributed $250,000 in support of NRECA International’s rural electrification projects in developing countries.

This is the 15th consecutive year CoBank has donated to NRECA International, totaling over $3 million in collective contributions. NRECA International has helped millions of people worldwide through electrification – establishing more than 250 electric utilities and cooperatives in 54 countries, improving the quality of life and creating new opportunities.

“CoBank is honored to continue our support of NRECA International,” said Tom Halverson, chief executive officer of CoBank. “Electrification is a catalyst for development. It aids healthcare and creates longer life expectancy. It assists in higher literacy levels and amplifies the role of education to bridge socioeconomic gaps. Electrification also creates new jobs, new industries and new service sectors. We are incredibly proud to support NRECA International’s work in this area.”

NRECA International delivers lasting benefits to rural communities. Recent efforts in Zambia illustrate that impact, where continued support helped keep a newly formed electric cooperative operational despite unprecedented challenges and enabled the opening of its fourth solar‑powered hammer mill. CoBank’s donation will help advance projects like the electric cooperative development in Zambia and across sub‑Saharan Africa.

“For more than 60 years, NRECA International has helped bring safe, reliable and affordable electricity to over 220 million people,” said Kate Steel, NRECA International’s senior vice president. “CoBank has been a long-standing and valued partner in this work. I’m grateful for their continued support and the shared commitment to expanding opportunity through access to power.”

Serving as a non-profit corporation, NRECA International is an affiliate of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, a national trade association representing nearly 900 local electric cooperatives across the United States. CoBank’s support helps to bring NRECA International’s global rural electrification projects to fruition and supports the volunteer efforts of U.S.-based rural electric cooperatives that generously donate the time and expertise of their own employees to help transition many of these projects from opportunity to reality. A portion of CoBank’s financial gifts help to defray the total cost of volunteer projects, thereby reducing the amount of financial support each cooperative is required to provide on their own.

About CoBank

CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving almost 80,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.