By Josephine Sesay

In a major milestone for regional development, the Honourable Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security of Sierra Leone, Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, on behalf of the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, officially launched the ECOWAS Social Protection Framework and Operational Plan. The initiative marks a transformative step towards building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable social protection systems across West Africa.

The Framework, endorsed by ECOWAS Ministers in November 2023, provides Member States with a strategic roadmap to design, implement, and expand national social protection floors. It aligns closely with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which emphasizes inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and human capital development across the region.

The high-level launch brought together key stakeholders, including development partners, Member States, and international agencies such as UNICEF, FAO, ILO, World Bank, and UN Women. Their participation reaffirmed broad regional and international support for this policy direction.

Speaking at the event, Minister Swaray praised ECOWAS for delivering a timely and comprehensive framework that responds to the urgent needs of vulnerable populations.

This Framework will serve as a practical and comprehensive approach to social protection in our sub-region, he stated. It will be a roadmap for Member States to strengthen social protection floors in their countries and ensure that no one is left behind.

He further emphasized that the launch demonstrates a shared regional commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable and addressing systemic inequalities exacerbated by economic shocks, climate change, and global crises.

The ECOWAS Social Protection Framework seeks to harmonize national policies, promote data-driven decision-making, and strengthen coordination among stakeholders in the design and delivery of social protection programs. It also underscores the importance of sustainability and financing, urging Member States to adopt innovative and inclusive strategies to ensure long-term impact.

As ECOWAS continues its path toward regional integration and sustainable development, the launch of this framework represents a bold step in making social protection a cornerstone of resilience and human dignity for all West Africans.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 17th September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)