Rwanda
Publications
Situation and Priorities
Social protection situation
The National Strategy for Transformation (2018-2024) reaffirms the central role of social protection in eradicating poverty and enhancing the standard of living of Rwandans. The sector is further guided by the National Social Security Policy (2009) and the National Social Protection Policy (2020 – 2024). The national social protection system includes contributory and non-contributory schemes. The Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) - established in 2010 provides six schemes: (1) pension scheme; (2) occupational hazards scheme; (3) maternity leave scheme; (4) medical scheme; (5) community-based health insurance scheme (CBHI) and (6) EjoHeza, a long-term saving scheme with membership available to the whole population. Several non-contributory programmes aim at covering the most vulnerable. Established in 2008, the Umurenge Programme (VUP) is Rwanda’s flagship social protection programme. The VUP provides direct support to extremely poor and labour constrained households but providing adequate coverage to all households in need remains a major challenge.
While social health coverage reaches over 85% of the population, coverage of other schemes remains low. RSSB’s contributory schemes reach only formal workers accounting for less than 10% of the population. However, the COVID-19 pandemic also underlined the vulnerability of workers in the formal economy who currently don’t have unemployment protection. Since its launch in 2018, EjoHeza increased its membership reaching over 1,000,000 subscribers (RSSB Action Plan 2021 – 2022).
Government and social partner priorities
In 2018, the Government updated and adopted the National Social Protection Policy (NSSP). The Policy proposes a more comprehensive vision for social protection that encapsulates social security, short-term social assistance, social care services and targeted livelihood and employment support. The NSSP Social Protection Sector Strategic Plan (SP-SSP) 2018/19 – 2023/24 highlights the following priority areas:
- increase access to social security and income support programmes, particularly among vulnerable older people, people with disabilities, households with low labour capacity and other poor families.
- enhance social protection sector’s contribution to reducing malnutrition.
- strengthen support for households and communities affected by disasters and shocks.
- strengthen the provision of social care services for the protection and inclusion of the most vulnerable
- strengthen linkages between social protection and complementary programmes that support sustainable graduation from extreme poverty
- promote values of self-reliance, respect for rights and community-based support for the vulnerable
- strengthen institutional capacity for evidence-based policy development and social protection service delivery.
ILO Projects and Programmes
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Building Social Protection Floors for All - Phase II
13.12.2021 - 31.12.2025 USD 9,347,348 Belgium , Multi Donor , Luxembourg , Germany
Funding gaps / Support the ILO
US$ 100,000
Launch of a Rwanda Social Protection Week
US$ 600,000
Promoting decent jobs through stronger social protection
US$ 500,000
Unemployment protection
US$ 200,000
Support provided to the Rwanda Social Security Board's to become a members first, data driven, evidence-based and high performing organization
News and Events
- International Labour Organization supports better working conditions in the construction sector
- ILO joins forces with East African Countries to promote Decent Work
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Workshop on the extension of social protection to the informal sector in Rwanda
05.12.2023 - 07.12.2023
- Rwanda mulls creation of unemployment insurance scheme
Workspaces
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Atelier d'échanges Sud-Sud sur le renforcement du dialogue national sur le socle de protection sociale, Lomé, Togo, 7 et 8 Décembre 2015
08.12.2015
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Exploring the development of unemployment protection in Rwanda
21.10.2023
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Building Modern and Effective Labour Inspection Systems in Rwanda
14.11.2023
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Workshop on the extension of social protection to informal workers in Rwanda
30.11.2023
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Capacity building workshop on multi-tiered social protection with a focus on pensions in Rwanda
29.02.2024