Project Launch Event for "Extending Social Protection Coverage to Workers in the Informal Economy in Lao PDR and Kenya and Leveraging Digital Transformation: through South-South Cooperation"

On October 24th, 2024, the launch event of project "Extending Social Protection Coverage to Workers in the Informal Economy in Lao PDR and Kenya and Leveraging Digital Transformation: through South-South Cooperation" was held in Nairobi,, with delegates from China, Kenya, Lao PDR, and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The project aims to extend social protection coverage to informal economy workers in Lao PDR and Kenya, leveraging digital transformation and fostering South-South cooperation.

The event began with welcome remarks by the Director of the National Social Protection Secretariat, setting the tone for the day’s activities. The opening session included speeches by several high-ranking officials who highlighted the importance of extending social protection to vulnerable workers and the need for international cooperation, including the Principal Secretary of Kenya’s State Department of Social Protection, the ILO Director of the Country Office for Dar-es-Salaam, the Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions in Kenya (COTU-K), and the Executive Director of the Federation of Keny Employers (FKE).

The highlight of this session were the keynote speeches by Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) of China, Li Zhong, and Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya, Alfred. N. Mutua. Li emphasized the importance of international collaboration and knowledge sharing in overcoming global social protection challenges. Li underscored the project’s potential to act as a bridge between China, Kenya, Lao PDR, and other countries, allowing for collective efforts in improving governance and reforms in social protection systems. He called for cross-regional coordination and active engagement from the participating countries to ensure high-quality project implementation. His address set the tone for the day’s discussions on fostering deeper collaboration through South-South Cooperation.

After the speeches, a formal launch of the project was followed by the signing of amendment to the partnership agreement between the ILO and MOHRSS "Extending Social Protection Coverage to Workers in the Informal Economy in Lao PDR and Kenya and Leveraging Digital Transformation: through South-South Cooperation", solidifying the commitment of China and the ILO to work together on expanding social protection coverage and leveraging digital transformation in Kenya, Lao PDR.

Technical presentations highlighted various aspects of the project, including Valerie Schmitt, Deputy Director of the Universal Social Protection Department at the ILO, who discussed the strategies for extending social protection coverage to informal workers under the ILO’s flagship social protection program. On behalf of the Department of Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation, Anita Amorim, Head of the ESPU, gave an overview of ILO partnership programmes under South-South Cooperation and called for promoting South-South Cooperation for decent work and social justice.. Additional presentations covered social protection policies for informal workers in Kenya and Lao PDR.

The event also included a panel discussion featuring key stakeholders from participating countries, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in implementing digital solutions for social protection.

After the morning sessions, attendees visited the Kenya National Social Security Fund (NSSF) headquarters, where they observed Kenya’s progress in social security digitalization efforts. The visit provided an opportunity to explore how technology can improve service delivery and expand coverage for informal economy workers.

The day concluded with a closing ceremony. This event marked a major step forward in international cooperation on social protection, with digital transformation playing a key role in extending social protection coverage to informal workers.

The outcomes of this successful gathering are expected to have lasting impacts on the livelihoods of informal workers in Lao PDR and Kenya, fostering global dialogue and collaboration in social protection governance.