The Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP) convened an online learning regional meeting on 6th March 2025, on the theme: Social Protection for Informal Workers in Humanitarian Settings. The meeting aimed to spotlight the vulnerabilities of informal workers across Central Africa particularly during crises such as conflict, pandemics and natural disasters. These workers, who form the backbone of regional economies, remain largely excluded from formal social protection systems.
The meeting brought together diverse voices—government officials, trade unionists, grassroots leaders, and informal worker representatives; to unpack the daily struggles of informal workers, including lack of health insurance, maternity protection, legal safeguards and mounting mental health challenges.
Key Presentations
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Dr. Boniface Deagbo: Emphasized the pervasive nature of informality in the DRC and proposed policy and administrative reforms to support informal workers through resilience-building and local credit access.
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Ms. Ngakeni Mireille: Shared government initiatives to expand legal protections and services for vulnerable groups including women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
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Mr. Bissohong Bissohong Benoît: Emphasized trade unions’ roles in relief efforts and advocacy, and the importance of mental health for informal workers.
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Ms. Renatte Bongonda: Shared lived experiences, calling for protection mechanisms tailored to informal women workers and PWDs.
Key Recommendations
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Recognize informal workers in national policy frameworks.
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Strengthen grassroots groups and unions for advocacy.
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Tailor humanitarian responses to informal sector needs.
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Address gender and disability-specific vulnerabilities.
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Simplify legal barriers to formalization.
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Promote youth innovation via zero-interest credit.
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Leverage digital technology for access and outreach.
The meeting emphasized the urgent need for inclusive, adaptable social protection systems for informal workers, especially in times of crisis. Key solutions included simplifying processes, formalizing informal work, and establishing a Social Protection Fund. Technology, advocacy, and regional collaboration were highlighted as essential tools for strengthening protections, with calls for further research and digital skills training to build a more resilient and secure informal workforce.
