Angola strengthens social protection policies with new national data bulletin

LUANDA, ANGOLA (ILO News) — Angola is reinforcing its capacity to design more effective and inclusive social protection policies with the launch of its second national statistics bulletin, a tool to identify coverage gaps, guide public investment and strengthen evidence-based decision-making.

The 2nd Social Protection Statistics Bulletin (in Portuguese), was presented on April 22 in Luanda, at an event that brought together more than 60 representatives of the Government, development partners, academia, civil society and the media.

More than a compilation of indicators, the bulletin is a strategic tool to support evidence-based policy decisions, identify coverage gaps, and strengthen responses for workers, families, and groups in vulnerable situations.

Led by the Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security (MAPTSS), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the initiative consolidates advances in the production of integrated data and strengthens institutional capacity to monitor progress towards the universalization of social protection.

"This second bulletin continues the work started with the first edition and represents an important step in the consolidation of an evidence-based culture of social protection," said Denise Monteiro, representing the ILO Country Office in Luanda.

Produced by the Interministerial Working Group on Social Protection Statistics (GITEPS), the bulletin is the result of a joint effort between national institutions and international partners to strengthen transparency, institutional coordination and the culture of data use in the country. "When data are built, harmonized and discussed together, social protection gains institutional strength and capacity for transformation," added Denise Monteiro.

When data are built, harmonized and discussed together, social protection gains institutional strength and capacity for transformation.

Denise Monteiro, ILO Country Office in Angola

Better data for better policies

The bulletin should support public decision-makers in designing more effective social policies, contributing to improving public programs, guiding investments and strengthening monitoring mechanisms in the social sector.

© António Gonga/OIT

© António Gonga/OIT

"This bulletin contributes, precisely, to the strengthening of a culture of evidence-based planning, which is essential to ensure greater effectiveness, transparency and impact on State interventions", reinforced the Secretary of State for Labour and Social Security, Pedro Filipe.

The initiative also contributes to accelerating Angola's progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 1.3, which implements social protection systems for all.

The publication was developed with the support of the projects Expansion of Social Security to Support the Formalization of the Angolan Economy (ESSAFE Angola) and ACTION Portugal, implemented by the ILO with funding from the European Union and the Portuguese Government, respectively, highlighting the role of partnerships in institutional strengthening and the promotion of sustainable impacts.

© António Gonga/OIT

© António Gonga/OIT

For the Ambassador of the European Union in Angola, Rosário Bento Pais, the second bulletin paints a portrait of a young and dynamic country, which still faces important challenges, namely in terms of informality and unemployment among young people. "It is precisely in this context that social protection is essential: as a buffer against crises, as an instrument for promoting social cohesion and as an investment in human capital," she said.

And the Secretary of State for Social Security of Portugal, Filipa Lima, highlighted, in a video message to the event, the importance of international partners for the implementation of this initiative, "This combination of efforts highlights the value of international, coordinated and results-oriented cooperation," he concluded.

With this second bulletin, Angola reaffirms that stronger data systems are a central element to build more inclusive policies, expand coverage and improve people's lives.