Windhoek, Namibia, 8^th October 2025 - The African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a groundbreaking joint report, “From the Ground Up: Community-Based Social Protection in Africa”, at the AU Symposium on Social Protection in Africa, held in Namibia from 7–8 October 2025.

The publication underscores that Africa’s most enduring system of social protection lies within its communities, where an intrinsic belief in Ubuntu builds community solidarity and advances mutual aid, safeguarding millions from poverty, crisis and exclusion. This addresses areas that are not fully covered by formal economic systems.

“Supporting CBSPOs not only strengthens social protection”, said Dr Matthias Naab, the Director of the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa. “It builds resilience, fosters equity, and accelerates progress toward the SDGs and Agenda 2063.”

The report sheds light on the pivotal role played by Community-Based Social Protection Organisations (CBSPOs), including rotating savings groups, burial societies, and labour-sharing associations. Currently, formal social protections systems only reach about 17% of Africa, therefore CBSPOs operate at the heart of African resilience. They collectively support millions, especially women and young people, by providing savings, credit, mutual insurance, emotional care, and emergency support.

Key findings highlight that CBSPOs:

• Fill critical gaps left by formal social protection systems, particularly in rural and informal economies;
• Empower women, who make up the vast majority of members and leaders;
• Adapt swiftly to shocks including economic, climatic, or health-related, through flexible rules and collective action; and
• Foster social cohesion and local accountability, strengthening trust and inclusion within communities.

Despite their vital contributions, CBSPOs remain under-recognised in policy and under-supported in practice. The report therefore calls for stronger integration between community and state systems, encouraging governments to design policies that link local realities with national frameworks.

The launch formed part of the AU Symposium on Social Protection, themed “Building Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Africa: Frameworks, Financing, and Accountability.” The event convened representatives from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, UN agencies, development partners, academia, and civil society to deliberate on sustainable financing, digital delivery, and accountability mechanisms for inclusive protection systems.

During the Symposium, the AUC also inaugurated the Technical Working Group on Social Protection (TWG-SP), tasked with driving collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing across Member States ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) to be held in November 2025.

“The AUC is unequivocal that CBSPOs are not stop gap measures or informal alternatives to "real" social protection but rather established institutions with proven track records of managing risks, mobilizing resources, and delivering support to millions of African households, particularly in rural areas where government programs have limited reach”, says Dr. Sabelo Mbokaz, the AUC’s Head of Labour, Employment and Migration.

The report concludes with a Call to Action urging governments, partners, and financial institutions to recognize and invest in CBSPOs as vital actors in achieving the SDGs and Agenda 2063.

Concluding his remarks at the launch of the report, Dr Naab noted that “resilience does not begin in boardrooms or ministries—it begins in communities. And if we are serious about building inclusive systems, we must start from the ground up.”

Explore the full report here: undp.org/africa/publications/ground-up-community-based-social-protection-africa

Read the Policy Brief here: undp.org/africa/publications/policy-paper-how-community-based-social-protection-transforming-lives-africa

For more information and media interviews, contact:

Samuel Kapingdiza, Social Protection Specialist, Samuel.kapingidza@undp.org

Ngele Ali, Regional Communications Advisor, Africa Region, Ngele.ali@undp.org