Three challenges of social protection in sub-Saharan Africa: informality, climate change and pandemics

Abstract

This article provides an overview of social protection challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. It explores three main challenges: the integration of informal workers, the management of climate change and pandemics. Despite the proliferation of social protection programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, effective coverage remains low. About 76.3% of the population is not covered by any formal social protection mechanisms. Following the principle of qualitative comparative analysis, this article offers a twofold contribution. Firstly, it provides an overview of the diversity of social protection mechanisms in sub-Saharan Africa. This article proposes to describe the three categories of social protection using the concept of social protection mix: formal, semi-formal and informal. Secondly, using this concept, this study explores three major challenges of the social protection mix in sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, this article suggests ways to strengthen social protection systems that address new challenges and incorporate the diversity of social protection mechanisms.