WAEMU Leaders Approved New Social Security Strategy
The policy aims to expand coverage for millions of workers currently lacking access to social safety nets.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Employment
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The WAEMU Council of Ministers officially approved a regional social protection strategy for 2026-2035 on October 2, 2026. The plan seeks to address the fact that over 90% of the population currently lacks any form of social security.
Why it matters
The initiative targets systemic vulnerability to economic and climate shocks that currently impact informal workers, who make up 92% of the regional labor force. It aims to improve access to essential healthcare and financial stability for residents across member states.
Currently, 92% of workers operate within the informal economy, while underemployment reached 31.1% during the 2017-2018 reporting period. The strategy intends to scale coverage beyond the current 8% formal sector participation.
The players
WAEMU Council of Ministers
The intergovernmental body coordinating economic and social policy across member states.
The details
The strategy strengthens institutional frameworks to enable the implementation of universal health insurance, pension funds, and broader social safety nets. By formalizing these protections, member states aim to bridge the gap for workers who fall outside traditional employer-provided benefits. This approach builds on national efforts, such as the Insurance for Strengthening Human Capital program in Benin and the Social Protection Investment Program in Côte d'Ivoire.
Timeline
2017-2018: Regional survey data on informal employment was collected.
May 2025: Ministers in charge of social protection approved the draft strategy.
December 2025: Côte d'Ivoire launched the Social Protection Investment Program.
October 2, 2026: The WAEMU Council of Ministers approved the final strategy.
Money Landscape
The adoption of the 2026-2035 Regional Social Protection Strategy marks the official launch of a decade-long initiative to shift labor protections from a minority benefit to a regional standard. This move departs from historical reliance on informal systems that have left the vast majority of households without institutional support.
Households should monitor local government announcements regarding the rollout of universal health and pension programs under this new framework. Families in the informal or agricultural sectors should consult with local social service offices to understand how evolving national programs like those in Côte d'Ivoire or Benin may impact their future eligibility for coverage.
The takeaway
The new strategy signals a significant structural pivot toward providing institutional safety nets for the vast informal labor force. Workers should review upcoming national-level implementations to identify potential changes in healthcare and pension access as the decade-long strategy proceeds.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest labor and welfare trends at Employment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
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