Social Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa: Will the Green Shoots Blossom?

Miguel Niño-ZarazúaArmando Barrientos

David HulmeSam Hickey

Presented By: Rose Moore

Located at the University of Manchester in the

U.K. Established to create and share knowledge to

end poverty and to shape policies that deliver real gain for people in poverty.

Authors: Niño-Zarazúa—Research Fellow Barrientos—Research Director Hulme—Executive Director Hickey—Associate Director

Brooks World Poverty Institute

“Public actions taken in response to levels of

vulnerability, risks, and deprivation, which are deemed socially unacceptable within a given polity and society.”

Three categories: social insurance labor market regulation social assistance

Social Protection

Based on age Grants are to ensure children’s schooling,

improve health care, and re-allocate productive resources within households.

Effective because of: Social structures Availability of services

Relies on income transfers in the form of social pensions and child support grants

The Southern African Model

Pension Plans:

Non-contributory Regular and Unconditional payments Reaches 2 million beneficiaries, which

represents 80% of 60+ population Child Support Grants:

Introduced in 1998 Covers children until 18 Enacted to correct limitations of the age grants

Southern Africa cont’d

Previously emergency assistance, such as food

and humanitarian aid, was the predominant form of protection

What changed? Sustained economic growth Debt relief Budget support Natural resources revenues.

Two shifts: cash-aid and social protection

The Middle Africa Model

Cash-aid

Cash transfers to very poor households with no work capacity.

Mostly funded by donors, not the governments. Many programs require the beneficiary to apply

for aid and have a doctor certify disability or need.

Some include service provisions: conditioned on school attendance, health check-ups, and nutrition training.

Middle Africa Cont’d

Donor v. government argument Southern Africa:

Urbanization Pro-poor political parties High level of income inequality

Middle Africa: Many pilot programs More rural population

Who drives social protection?

Financial sustainability

Fears of rapid escalation World financial crisis

Institutional capacity for implementation and delivery Community participation Mixture of providers

Challenges

Significant expansion in South Africa

New wave of social programs in Middle Africa

Global financial crisis threatens social protection programs

Conclusion