Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), has called for enhanced institutional collaboration with the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Sierra Leone. This urgent call for stronger ties notes NASSIT's commitment to expanding social protection coverage to informal sector workers. Daboh emphasized that NASSIT views "social security as a fundamental human right and stressed that the country’s long-term economic stability and social development would depend largely on extending social protection to workers who have traditionally been excluded from formal schemes." This strategic alliance with Egypt is seen as a key step towards achieving that goal, leveraging international expertise to bolster domestic efforts.
Policy Framework Development
The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) is intensifying efforts to introduce a legislative framework for an Informal Sector Policy. This proposed policy aims to extend social protection to workers in Sierra Leone's informal economy. The development of this framework follows the policy's recent approval by the Cabinet, signaling a significant governmental commitment to addressing the needs of this vital economic segment. NASSIT's push for this legislative step shows its commitment to broadening social security coverage beyond traditional formal employment structures. The initiative aligns with the institution's stated goal of ensuring social protection as a fundamental right for all citizens, including those in the informal sector, thereby fostering greater equity and economic resilience.
Egypt's Offer of Support
Egypt has indicated its readiness to provide full support for Sierra Leone's efforts to expand social protection. The Arab Republic is prepared to support technical exchanges and capacity building initiatives, which are essential components for developing strong social protection systems within Sierra Leone. This support extends beyond general assistance, with Egypt specifically offering to facilitate vocational cooperation. This includes key capacity development for social security professionals, ensuring that Sierra Leonean personnel are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. The country has offered to provide technical advisory services to aid in the implementation and strengthening of social security frameworks, offering practical guidance derived from its own experiences. These forms of assistance align directly with Sierra Leone's objective of extending social security coverage, particularly to its informal sector workers, and reflect a deep commitment to bilateral cooperation.
Embassy's Commitment
The key meeting between NASSIT and Egyptian representatives occurred at the Egyptian Embassy in Freetown on Wednesday, 3 June 2026. This gathering marked a key step in NASSIT's initiative to broaden social protection coverage within Sierra Leone's informal sector. The Egyptian Embassy served as the venue for full discussions regarding potential technical assistance and capacity-building collaborations between the two nations. The engagement showed the ongoing diplomatic efforts to establish a framework for strong social security systems, particularly targeting workers traditionally excluded from formal employment schemes. These discussions aimed to leverage Egypt's experience in social protection to support Sierra Leone's policy development and implementation goals, noting the mutual benefits of such international partnerships. The clear commitment from the Egyptian side to assist Sierra Leone in this critical area was a central theme of the discussions.
Broader Social Protection Vision
Nearly 90 percent of Sierra Leone’s active labour force operates within the informal sector, noting the immense scale of the challenge in extending social protection. The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) is moving forward decisively with its plans to address this, as the draft legislation for the Informal Sector Policy is currently undergoing legal review at the Law Officers’ Department. This legislative step is part of NASSIT's broader strategy to ensure social security coverage for a significant portion of the country's workforce previously outside formal schemes. The institution recognizes that securing the welfare of informal sector workers is not only a matter of social justice but also a fundamental pillar for sustainable economic growth and national development.
