It is believed that above all the success of cooperative societies depends on the quality of leadership competence dedicated and vibrant leader they possess. It is undisputed fact that primary multipurpose cooperatives are meager means and thus mostly and are inefficient. Hence this study is initiated to identify the cooperative leadership competencies to serve their members by analyzing the determinants of cooperative leadership competence level. Eight primary multipurpose cooperatives were selected from a total of 31 multipurpose cooperatives in Ambo Woreda (district). Eight boards of directors as leaders from each selected cooperatives (8x8=64), and 15 members from each selected cooperatives (15x8=120) were selected as respondents. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview schedule among leaders and members; checklists for key informant interview and FGD. Descriptive statistics and ordered logit model were used to analyze data collected. Leaders of selected cooperatives have response to five dimensions of leadership competency. Majority of leaders are at competent level as reported by both leaders and members by considering various core competencies of leadership. The crosstab analysis revealed that there is relationship between demographic variables, leadership qualities, and leadership skills. Ordered logit model result shows that education level and, knowledge and ability have positive significant influence at 1% level, analytical thinking, human relation skill, conceptual skill and personal traits have positive significant influence and communication skill has negative significant influence at 5% level, leadership experience has positive influence, and family size has negative influence as the leadership competency level at 10% level. As for leadership competency level majority of the cooperative leaders are at competent level, followed by novice level.