1. Social protection in Southern and Eastern Africa
ILO Global Social Protection Retreat
March 2017

2. Regional trends Renewed Economic Growth
Recovery from Fall in Commodity Prices
Improved Macroeconomic and Debt management
Reduction in Poverty Headcount, Depth, Severity (especially Urban Poverty)
Rising share of Transient Poverty
Country fragility associated with lower Human Development
Drought puts 20 million at risk of famine.
Conflicts and violent events on the rise
Source: WB, 2016, Poverty in Rising Africa

3. Social Protection trends
Expansion of beneficiaries of non-contributory transfers (Zambia, Mozambique, Kenya)
Stronger domestic investment in SP (Kenya, Zambia)
BUT:
Strong focus on Productive safety nets with massive WB financial support (HH poverty targeting; graduation)
Threat to universal provision in some countries (Namibia, Botswana), slow progress in others (Uganda, Tanzania)
Slow progress in regulation and extension of social security

4. Recent ILO impact
Greater attention to rights based NSP (Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Zanzibar, Namibia)
Coordination of Social welfare (Namibia)
Maternity, EI branches (Rwanda, Tanzania)
Release of South Africa Comprehensive social security reform paper
Tanzania social security regulatory reforms, incl. pension fund merger underway; p
Pension reform in Zambia
Response to Presidential inquiry on pensions in context of hyperinflation (Zimbabwe)

5. Challenges Political instability (Lesotho)
Low priority to SP / Misconceptions (Botswana)
Long policy processes (Zambia Bill, South Africa's comprehensive ss) and divergent interests across ministries (Zambia)
Renewed focus on humanitarian support in context of severe drought divert from systems strengthening
Low attention to benefit levels causing poverty
Recurring corruption scandals distance donors from budget support and SP ownership processes
Weak levels of social security education
Poor Availability of Quality Data

6. Opportunities Comprehensive social security
Theme
How to
Comprehensive social security
South Africa Trust in Fund to support design.
SS policy and Law (Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho);
Social security Law and Policy in Tanzania, Zambia and Kenya (Attention to short term social security in Kenya and Tanzania)
Universal pensions and child benefits
UP in Tanzania (implementation) and Zanzibar (law)
Research and advocacy with Helpage Africa (Kenya, Malawi)
Namibia UCG (advocacy)
Covering the missing middle
Community of practice on extension of coverage to informal economy.; Tripartite + TWG for coordinated efforts and aligned strategies (Zambia)
Governance and administration of SPF; and M&E frameworks
Learning modules inter agency; Irish Aid, EU systems Strengthening
Collaboration with Prof. Noble and Wright on Tax benefit simulations; M&E Regional level work
Education and awareness raising
ECASSA MOU in collaboration with Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia.
Improving social security portability
SADC, EAC and MMD project

7. Main priorities Establish new systems of social protection
Comprehensive social security policy and law (South Africa)
Kenya and Malawi Employment injury funds
Maternity branch in Zambia NAPSA
Merger of pension funds and new unemployment fund in Tanzania
Comprehensive SS in Botswana, Swaziland
Extend coverage
Promote new mechanisms for extension (South Africa, Kenya)
Research, train and sensitize (CoP)
Universal coverage design and implementation (Tanzania, Namibia)
Improve governance of SP systems
Comprehensive SP laws on Kenya, Zambia
Social security policies in Tanzania
Tax benefit simulation models in partnership with UN Wider program
Institutionalization of governance and administration of SPF learning
Social security training and education with ECASSA