Social Security embarks on informal sector scheme campaign with 1,800 registered beneficiaries

The Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) has officially embarked on its long-awaited Informal Sector Scheme campaign, fulfilling a promise made three years ago to extend social protection to Gambians outside the formal workforce. 

Speaking at Lamin Rice Field, SSHFC Managing Director Saloum Malang described the initiative as a milestone in the country’s social protection journey. “We made a promise that in three years’ time we would deliver a social informal sector. Today, that promise has been fulfilled. Registration has started, and so far we have 1,800 members enrolled,” he said. 

Tackling Data Integrity and Coverage Gaps
Malang emphasised the importance of accurate data in shaping the scheme. “In Africa, one of the biggest challenges is data integrity. We used our own staff to collect authentic statistics nationwide. That data is so valuable I keep it like my life,” he noted. 

The mapping exercise confirmed that 85% of Gambian workers are not covered by any social security scheme, leaving them vulnerable. Globally, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 1.3 calls for universal coverage by 2030. “With only 15% of Gambians currently covered, we cannot sit back and fold our hands. This scheme is our response,” Malang stressed. 

The pilot program deliberately targets women, particularly those in gardening and small-scale trade. Malang recalled his childhood in Bakau observing women gardeners who were financially active but struggled with money management. “I knew from a young age that if you help them manage their resources, they can thrive. Women are organized, economically active, and yet vulnerable. That is why they are at the top of our scale of preference,” he explained. 

He added that focusing on women also aligns with global gender equity priorities, making the scheme attractive to international partners. 

A Step Toward Inclusive Social Protection
The Informal Sector Scheme is designed to bring non-formal workers into the fold of social security, ensuring they have access to protection against risks such as illness, old age, and income shocks. 

“This scheme is very important to Social Security. Our mandate is to protect vulnerable people, and if 85% of the workforce is excluded, then we have failed. This initiative is not just a project—it is our duty,” Malang declared. 

The campaign marks the beginning of a nationwide effort to digitize social protection and expand coverage, with the ultimate goal of achieving universal inclusion by 2030.