WAEMU Approved Regional Social Protection Strategy
The 2026-2035 framework aims to expand security coverage for vulnerable populations across member states.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Employment
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The WAEMU Council of Ministers has approved a new regional strategy to bolster social security coverage. The 2026-2035 plan seeks to protect workers who currently lack institutional safety nets.
Why it matters
The strategy was developed to combat widespread poverty and limited healthcare access while mitigating vulnerability to economic and climate-related shocks.
Official reports indicate that 92% of workers in member states were employed in the informal economy during 2017-2018, while the average unemployment rate was 4%.
The players
WAEMU Council of Ministers
This body oversees the integration and policy coordination for the West African Economic and Monetary Union member states.
Côte d'Ivoire
This nation serves as an early implementer of social protection investment programs for agricultural and informal workers.
Benin
This country developed the Insurance for Strengthening Human Capital program to enhance its national safety net infrastructure.
The details
Member states plan to implement universal health insurance, pension funds, and broader social safety nets to strengthen their institutional frameworks. This effort follows national initiatives like the Insurance for Strengthening Human Capital program in Benin.
Timeline
Regional survey data on informal employment was collected during 2017-2018.
Social protection ministers approved the draft strategy in May 2025.
Côte d'Ivoire launched its investment program in December 2025.
The Council of Ministers approved the final strategy on October 2, 2026.
Macro View
The adoption of this strategy represents a shift from historical labor patterns, where the vast majority of the population operated outside of formal economic protections. It mirrors global trends of transitioning informal workforces into organized social security systems to ensure regional stability.
For millions of workers in the informal and agricultural sectors, this strategy aims to eventually provide access to critical services like universal health insurance. Over the next decade, these reforms are expected to improve economic security for families vulnerable to market fluctuations.
The takeaway
The move recognizes that the informal sector is the primary economic driver for the majority of the population in these nations. Implementation will be key to transitioning from high rates of underemployment to a more formalized and protected workforce.
Further reading
For more on labor and economic policy trends, visit our Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
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