10th Global Series: Africa Pensions, Social Security and Health Convention

Overview

The Africa Pension, Social Security, and Health Convention in Cape Town offered a crucial platform to address the growing challenges facing Africa's aging population and healthcare demands. With the continent's population aged 60+ projected to increase significantly by 2050, the convention aimed to strengthen pension systems, advance social security reforms, and enhance healthcare strategies.

Cape Town was an ideal host due to its innovative policies and commitment to inclusivity, particularly in providing social development support. The city's efforts included providing essential services to over 40% of low-income households and creating over 130,000 jobs through infrastructure projects, demonstrating its dedication to addressing unemployment. Cape Town's leadership in promoting social protection as an economic stabilizer was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw social grant recipients increase by 18.9% to over 18 million South Africans.