The Caisse nationale de sécurité sociale du Burkina Faso (CNSS-BF) and the Caisse nationale de sécurité sociale de la République centrafricaine (CNSS-RCA) have signed two instruments to enhance social security protection for migrant workers between the two countries. The agreements were signed on September 25, 2026, and aim to ensure the continuity of social rights for Burkinabè and Central African workers established in both countries.
The signing ceremony took place in the context of significant mobility of workers between Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic. The agreements address concerns expressed by Burkinabè nationals living in Central Africa regarding the preservation of their social rights after their professional careers. The two conventions signed are an Agreement on the payment of pensions and accident and occupational disease benefits and an Administrative Arrangement on the coordination of social security schemes.
The agreements aim to facilitate the payment of benefits to beneficiaries residing in the other state and allow for the consideration of insurance periods completed in both countries. According to the CNSS, this initiative originated from discussions held during the 39th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the Inter-African Conference of Social Security (CIPRES) in Bangui in December 2025. The talks highlighted difficulties related to the principle of territoriality in social security.
Vianney Marius Tago, Director-General of the CNSS-RCA, expressed his satisfaction with the signing of the agreements, which will enable the establishment of genuine coverage for migrant workers from both countries. He emphasized the importance of Burkinabè and Central African communities present in each state and noted that this initiative is in line with the multilateral convention established within CIPRES.
The Director-General of the CNSS-BF, Yacouba Herman Nacambo, stated that the fundamental objective is to ensure that worker mobility does not undermine their social protection. He recalled that an insured individual who has acquired rights during their professional life should be able to preserve and exercise them in accordance with national legislation and international instruments.
The two institutions will face three main challenges: popularizing the convention, its effective implementation, and potential improvements based on practical experience. The first challenge involves making the new provisions known to concerned workers, while the second focuses on the concrete implementation of the mechanisms provided, including payment operations and control.
The new convention is part of a broader effort to enhance social security cooperation between countries in the region. The CNSS-RCA has already engaged in similar initiatives with other institutions, including the Social Security Fund of Benin. The agreements signed will contribute to the better protection of migrant workers' social rights and facilitate their mobility between Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic.
Key points
- The CNSS-BF and CNSS-RCA have signed two conventions to ensure social security continuity for migrant workers between Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic.
- The agreements aim to facilitate the payment of benefits to beneficiaries residing in the other state and allow for the consideration of insurance periods completed in both countries.
- The implementation of the conventions will require efforts to popularize the new provisions, ensure effective implementation, and make potential improvements based on practical experience.
