In a significant step towards enhancing social protection in Angola, the SP&PFM Programme, organized a third national dialogue on extending social protection coverage. The one-day seminar (26 April) sought input from the technical team developing the Operationalization Strategy for the National Social Action Policy on potential programme proposals for expediting the establishment of a comprehensive social protection floor that aligns with the International Labour Organization’s Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202).
National dialogue seminar on extending social protection
The technical group of the SP&PFM country project also participated in the seminar, representing government partners, civil society groups, development partners and ILO committee members supporting the Angolan Government in strategy conceptualization and implementation. They engaged with the technical team to formulate coverage proposal packages, with time targets, financial investment, and targeted population percentages, including children aged up to 4 years, individuals older than 60, impoverished families and people with disabilities, as required by the National Social Action Policy.
In opening the national dialogue, Ângelo Cambera, Director of the National Council for Social Action, emphasized the importance of collaboration among participating institutions to find integrated solutions for expanding social protection coverage in Angola. Denise Monteiro, Technical Chief of the SP&PFM project in Angola project, highlighted how the seminar is equally important for advancing scenario proposals to improve the country’s social protection system.
The previous dialogue entailed a bilateral consultation in 2022 on the extension of social protection coverage and addressing gaps in funding and reach within the national social protection system. This April seminar was seen as essential, representing a pivotal milestone in advancing Angola’s social protection agenda by laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and robust system that can effectively address the needs of vulnerable populations.
The SP&PFM country project’s technical group is finalizing a forthcoming assessment of the fiscal space to guide optimal investments in the social protection sector.