West African trade union leaders, government officials, employer groups, and development partners have launched a major push for stronger social protection systems and a fair transition to greener economies across the region.
Regional Workshop Addresses Critical Gaps
The high-level regional workshop, held on 27 November 2025, brought together diverse stakeholders concerned about rising poverty, climate disasters, and fragile labor markets in West Africa. The two-day meeting was jointly organized by the Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA) and the Danish Trade Union Development Agency (DTDA).
OTUWA Acting President Sophie Kourouma declared the workshop open, emphasizing that West Africa suffers from some of the worst social protection coverage globally. She described the Sahel region as facing a "crisis of exposure" and insisted that universal social protection represents the bedrock of human dignity and economic stability.
"Social protection is a fundamental human right," Kourouma stated. "Our people cannot continue to be left vulnerable to poverty, climate shocks, and insecurity."
Government Commitment and Concrete Actions
Nigeria's Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, reiterated the Federal Government's commitment to establishing a universal and shock-responsive social protection system. He emphasized that social protection is vital for national development amid rising inflation, insecurity, and environmental crises.
The minister revealed that the government is expanding cash transfer programs, strengthening social insurance schemes, and mainstreaming climate-sensitive employment strategies. He described social protection not as a cost but as "a strategic investment in productivity, peace, and prosperity."
Dingyadi urged stakeholders to pioneer sustainable funding models, including domestic resource mobilization, public-private partnerships, transparent governance systems, and climate-financing instruments.
Alarming Statistics and Funding Solutions
A technical presentation by Mr. Aly Cissé, a retired International Labour Organisation staff member, revealed sobering statistics about West Africa's social protection landscape. The data shows that sub-Saharan Africa spends only 2.1% of GDP on social protection, compared to the global average of 12.9%.
Additionally, only 10% of economically active persons are covered by statutory social security, while social assistance for children and vulnerable groups remains weak. Health coverage, labor protections, and institutional coordination remain inadequate, with the informal sector's dominance continuing to undermine contributory financing.
Cissé argued that financing social protection represents "a political choice" and presented options including progressive taxation, green levies, reduction of fossil-fuel subsidies, and Integrated National Financing Frameworks.
Participants highlighted persistent structural obstacles, including low social insurance coverage for informal workers, rural families, domestic workers, and migrants. The workshop concluded with strong calls for immediate implementation of the newly launched ECOWAS Social Protection Framework and Operational Plan.
