The first African social security summit kicked off in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on October 29, 2026, with the participation of Mali's Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie (CANAM). The summit, organized by the African Association of Social Security (ASSA), brings together over 300 participants from various organizations, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union (AU), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The summit aims to address the challenges facing social security systems in Africa.
The Malian delegation, led by CANAM's Director-General, General Boubacar Dembélé, includes Hassambou Dembélé, First Counselor at the Malian Embassy in Addis Ababa, and cadres from CANAM and the Caisse Malienne de Sécurité Sociale (CMSS). The summit's theme, "Harmonizing social security systems for infrastructure development and economic transformation in Africa," reflects the need for coordinated efforts to address the continent's social security challenges. The participants will discuss ways to overcome the high level of informality, low coverage, and administrative inefficiencies.
The summit's objectives align with the African Union's Social Agenda 2063 and the African Social and Economic Solidarity Strategy 2022-2032. The participants will focus on promoting universal health coverage, improving the collection of contributions, and ensuring the portability of rights for migrant workers. The summit also aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to address the major challenges facing social security systems in Africa.
The CANAM's participation in the summit demonstrates the Malian government's commitment to improving social protection and access to healthcare for all. The summit provides a platform for the Malian delegation to share its experiences and learn from other countries' best practices in social security. The event also offers an opportunity for Mali to strengthen its partnerships with other organizations and countries in the region.
The African Association of Social Security (ASSA) organized the summit in partnership with several technical and financial partners, including the UNECA, AU, AUDA-NEPAD, AfDB, and the Trade and Development Bank (TDB). The summit's partners also include the African Financial Corporation (AFC), the National Bank of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Public Servants' Social Security Agency (PSSSA), and the CRDB PLC Bank.
The summit's outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of a comprehensive framework for social security in Africa. The participants will discuss ways to leverage technology and innovation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of social security systems. The summit will also explore opportunities for south-south cooperation and knowledge sharing among countries.
The CANAM's participation in the summit reflects Mali's commitment to achieving the African Union's Social Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The summit's conclusions and recommendations are expected to inform the development of social security policies and strategies in Africa. The event will also provide a platform for the Malian delegation to engage with other stakeholders and promote Mali's interests in the region.
Key points
- The summit aims to address the challenges facing social security systems in Africa, including informality, low coverage, and administrative inefficiencies.
- The CANAM's participation in the summit demonstrates Mali's commitment to improving social protection and access to healthcare for all.
- The summit's outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of a comprehensive framework for social security in Africa.
