ADDIS ABABA (ILO News) – With 90 percent of the African labour force not covered by social security systems, “social protection is necessary for inclusive and equitable growth”, said Dayina Mayenga, ILO Deputy Regional Director for Africa at the first ordinary session of the AU specialized technical committee on social development, labour and employment.

“Social protection is a productive investment in human capital and is vital to protect existing jobs and to stimulate job creation”, Mayenga underscored on behalf of Aeneas C. Chuma, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Africa.

The International Labour Organization is taking part to a two-day interactive platform which brought together African Ministers, experts, social partners, and representatives of the Pan African Parliament, the Regional Economic Communities, and International Organizations working on social protection.

According to the ILO, a growing number of African countries have adopted national social protection policies that consider national social protection floors as a priority. Some countries have also increased funding from Government to social protection.

“Considerable progress towards higher levels of social protection coverage has been achieved in a number of countries across Africa, which shows that, if there is political will, some investment in social protection can be made even in situations of tight budgetary constraints’, Dayina Mayenga emphasized.

The Yaoundé Tripartite Declaration on the implementation of the Social Protection Floor in Africa, which was adopted by 47 African member States in 2010, recognized that sound social protection is a political, economic and social necessity, and a prerequisite for inclusive growth.

Challenges and Opportunities 

Participants agreed on the fact extending social protection coverage to the largest part of the population, mainly those in the informal economy, remains one of the main challenges to be addressed by African policy makers and social partners

In Africa, limited access to social protection mechanisms is also a major policy challenge in achieving sustainable growth, productive employment and decent work.

However, “social protection is primarily a human right”, reiterated the ILO Deputy Regional Director for Africa.

A strong message stressed by the AU Agenda 2063 which states: “To guarantee the high standard of living as a right, An Africa of 2063 will be characterized by the fact that all its citizens would have affordable social security and where social protection is extended to all vulnerable sections of society”.

That’s why in collaboration with other UN agencies, the ILO actively contributes to the planning and implementation of social protection floors targeting the informal economy and the preservation of existing social insurance systems for worker of the formal economy. This type of cooperation takes place in countries such as Cameroon, Namibia, Niger, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.

“Social protection contributes significantly to reducing poverty and inequality, and that is a peace and security token for all. Social protection remains a vital tool for achieving inclusive growth and social cohesion in Africa”, concluded Dayina Mayenga.