The Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP) convened an online learning meeting for its West Africa region on 5th March 2025 on the theme: Future of Work, Social Protection, Informal Workers and Digitalization. The meeting, which was attended by government representatives, trade unions, international organizations and civil societies across West Africa, aimed to address the urgent need to adapt social protection systems to the rapidly changing world of work, particularly for informal workers who constitute more than 80% of the region's labor force.
The meeting featured insightful presentations from speakers across the region:
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Mr. Gabriel Fernandez: Highlighted legal, structural, and economic barriers to social protection and called for policy innovation and inclusive registration systems tailored to informal workers’ needs.
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Mr. Emmanuel Danjuma: Emphasized the need to "future-proof" social protection systems amid labor market transformations driven by digitalization and platform economies.
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Mr. Elom Gbati : Addressed the intersection of technological disruption, youth unemployment, and climate change, calling for robust public investment in education, inclusion, and green jobs.
- Mr. Elimane Diouf: Advocated for stronger policy coordination and use of digital platforms to enhance visibility and efficiency in social protection delivery.
Participants also explored topics such as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in social protection, the need for national-level ratification of relevant frameworks including the African Union Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security and the role of social dialogue and education in preparing for the future of work.
Key Recommendations
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Amend labor laws to cover informal and non-standard workers, enabling self-registration and inclusion of new work categories.
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Simplify registration for informal workers by reducing bureaucracy, enabling group enrollments, and integrating assistance schemes.
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Leverage emerging technologies—including AI and digital ID systems—to adapt to the evolving labor landscape.
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Invest in research and education to shape inclusive, climate-responsive, and tech-enabled social protection systems.
The meeting provided informative insights into the challenges and opportunities surrounding Future of work, Social Protection, Informal Workers and Digitalization in West Africa. The discussions highlighted the need for inclusive and adaptable social protection systems, the importance of leveraging technology and the role of regional partnerships in addressing the needs of informal workers. It was emphasized that proactive measures such as amending labor laws, simplifying registration systems, and promoting digital tools are essential to expanding coverage and ensuring that no worker is left behind.
