Social Protection in Africa

Social protection is one of the most recent, yet fastest growing social policy instruments in low and middle income countries to end poverty. At least 50 countries in Africa have non-contributory social protection programmes targeting poor and vulnerable households and individuals. Are these social policies an extension of residual social policies, or do they signal new directions in social policy in the Global South? This article reviews the theoretical approaches that inform social protection policies as well as their practical application in different African countries. The analysis suggest that there is a changing trend towards more expansive social investment-oriented poverty reduction policies, especially in middle-income countries, with more limited policies in low-income countries. Despite significant challenges, these developments have the potential to grow welfare institutions that are more appropriate, responsive to the needs of people, and that could further a developmentally-oriented and justice-based notion of social protection. There is much to learn from how African countries are tackling the social challenges of poverty and inequality and how these are shaping their welfare institutions and regimes

Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Expansive · Market economy · Political science · Poverty · Social policy · Social protection · Social Welfare · Community Development and Social Impact · Income, Poverty, and Inequality · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare

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• Are cash transfers enough to reduce poverty and inequalities for people with disabilities

  Shaffa Hameed, Hilda Kuper et al.•Oxford Development Studies•2025

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• The Care Dependency Grant for children with disabilities in South Africa

  Open Access•Zara Trafford, L Swartz•Development Southern Africa•2023

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• Perceptions of Beneficiaries of Informal Social Protection Initiatives in Uganda

  Open Access•Stellah Lubinga, Moses Herbert Lubinga et al.•Social Policy and Administration•2024

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• Social Protection, Economic Growth and Social Change

  Bingqin Li, Harry Harry et al.•Social Protection, Economic…•2013

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• Social Policy in a Development Context

  Open Access•P Thandika Mkandawire, Thandika Mkandawire•Social Policy in a Development…•2004

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• The Social Development Perspective in Social Policy

  Jonathan Midgley, James Midgley et al.•The Handbook of Social Policy•2009

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• Social Development

  Jonathan Midgley, James Midgley•Social development•1999

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• Social Protection in Africa

  Open Access•Stephen Devereux, Philip White•Poverty & Public Policy•2010

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• Social Protection, Economic Growth and Social Change

  Raymond Ngan•China Journal of Social Work•2014

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• Justice-based social assistance

  Open Access•Armando Barrientos•Global Social Policy•2016

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• Introduction

  Open Access•Jonathan Midgley, James Midgley et al.•International Journal of Social…•2001

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• Social investment and social welfare

  David J Anderson•European Journal of Social Work•2018

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• The history and impact of social security in South Africa

  Ingrid Woolard, Kenneth Harttgen et al.•Canadian Journal of Development…•2011

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• Professional Imperialism

  Jack L Roach, Jonathan Midgley et al.•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•1983

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• Indigenous Welfare and Community-Based Social Development

  Leila Patel, Edwell Kaseke et al.•Journal of Community Practice•2012

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• Social Assistance and Dependency in South Africa

  Open Access•Rebecca Surender, Michael Noble et al.•Journal of Social Policy•2010

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