Sierra Leone’s National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding social security coverage, strengthening institutional partnerships and promoting sustainable investments following its participation in the inaugural Africa Social Security Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The two-day summit, held from 29 to 30 October 2026, brought together policymakers, social security executives and industry experts from across Africa to discuss ways of strengthening social protection systems under the theme, “Harmonisation of Social Security Systems for Infrastructure and Economic Transformation in Africa.”
NASSIT was represented by a high-level delegation led by the Chairperson of its Board of Trustees, Madam Jenneh Jabati, and Director General, Mr. Chernor Mamoud Jalloh, alongside other senior management officials.
Organised by the Africa Social Security Association (ASSA), the summit addressed major challenges affecting social security systems across the continent, including limited coverage among informal sector workers, administrative inefficiencies, contribution compliance, inadequate benefit protection and the portability of benefits across national borders.
A major highlight of the summit was the participation of NASSIT Director General Chernor Mamoud Jalloh as a panellist in a high-level discussion on expanding social security coverage within the informal sector.
The session examined how demand-driven benefits, digital platforms and mobile payment solutions could help bring more informal sector workers into formal social security systems.
During the discussions, participants emphasised the need for affordable and flexible contribution arrangements that accommodate the irregular incomes and varying financial capacities of informal sector workers.
They also explored how digital technology could simplify registration, facilitate contributions and improve access to social security benefits.
Jalloh’s participation highlighted Sierra Leone’s contribution to continental discussions on extending social protection to millions of workers who remain outside formal employment arrangements.
Another major area of discussion was the role of pension assets in financing Africa’s infrastructure and economic transformation. Participants examined opportunities to mobilise the continent’s pension assets, estimated at more than US$800 billion, to support long-term infrastructure development while maintaining prudent investment practices, strong governance and the protection of contributors’ funds.
For NASSIT, the discussions provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and explore investment approaches that could generate sustainable returns while contributing to national economic development.
The summit also marked the conclusion of Sierra Leone’s tenure as Vice Chair of the ASSA Governing Council, with Jalloh formally handing over the position to the Director General of Côte d’Ivoire’s social security institution.
The Vice Chairmanship had been held by Sierra Leone through the office of the NASSIT Director General, with Jalloh assuming the responsibility following his appointment to lead the Trust.
Other members of the NASSIT delegation included Jonathan Lamboi, General Manager for Investment, and Cyril Jalloh, Acting General Manager for Informal Sector.
Their participation reflected the importance NASSIT places on strengthening investment sustainability and expanding social security coverage among informal sector workers.
NASSIT said its participation in the summit reaffirmed its commitment to working with continental partners, sharing institutional experiences and adopting practical approaches to improving social security administration.
The Trust also emphasised the importance of translating international cooperation into tangible improvements in coverage, service delivery, investment management and the protection of contributors and beneficiaries in Sierra Leone.
