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Tanzanian President, Samia Hassan, has urged participating nations to prioritize the development of robust social security infrastructure to drive sustainable economic growth.
President Hassan said this as Member States of the Africa Social Security Association pondered on creating a Social Security Infrastructure Development Fund aimed at funding infrastructure projects with social impact on citizens, through contributions from social security funds for economic growth.
Hassan said this in a speech read on his behalf by Tanzanian Vice President, Philip Mpango, during the opening of the 14th Africa Social Protection Policy Makers’ Conference.
This is according to a statement issued in Lusaka by Ministry of Labour and Social Security Principal Public Relations Officer, Mwaka Ndawa.
President Hassan said robust social security schemes provide social safety nets, that allow the populace to participate in productive economic activities.
The 14th Africa Social Protection Policy Makers’ Conference is being held in Arusha, Tanzania, under the theme “Social Security Funds: A catalyst for Infrastructure Development and Inclusive Socio-Economic Growth in Africa”.
Hassan noted with concern that African countries faced infrastructure deficit, with the annual infrastructure financing gap estimated between $68 billion and $108 billion, according to the African Development Bank.
“Policy makers need to boost financing of rural social and economic infrastructure to support the wellbeing of rural communities, thereby improving productivity and reduce on rural urban migration in African Countries,” she said.
President Hassan also emphasized the importance of investing in projects that were financially viable, to avoid monetary losses.
Similary, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office – Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability, Ridhiwani Jakaya Kikwete called for collaboration among ASSA member countries.
Kikwete noted that this was to respond to the evolving needs of the population amid the rapidly changing development, by promoting sustainable development growth in Africa.
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Meanwhile, National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) Director General, Muyangwa Muyangwa who is the ASSA chairman said the Association was building responsive Social Security systems, that were inclusive and beneficial to the populations.
“The now continental Association is committed to continue playing the critical role of promoting social protection development in Africa.
“To this effect ASSA is in the process of establishing a continental Infrastructure Investment Fund which we trust will be part of the resolutions from the Ministerial dialogue,” he said.
Muyangwa further made an appeal to the Tanzanian Government, to facilitate the Association’s recognition by the African Union and other regional economic communities such as; Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC).
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary, Zechariah Luhanga is representing Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Tambatamba at the conference.
Others in attendance were the Ministry’s Director for Social Security Anthony Dumingu, Public Service Pensions Fund Chief Executive Officer Pindani Nyirenda, Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board Chief Executive Officer Patrick Siampwili among other senior Government officials
Social Partners notable among them include Zambia Congress of Trade Unions president, Blake Mulala and his Secretary General Joy Beene.
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