Eswatini, a landlocked kingdom in Southern Africa with approximately 1.2 million citizens, maintains a social security system to support its population amid economic and demographic challenges (United Nations, 2023). This blog provides an overview of Eswatini’s current social security framework, key institutions, and the challenges hindering comprehensive coverage, based on verifiable data. Historical Context Before independence in 1968, Eswatini (then Swaziland) relied on traditional extended family structures and limited colonial welfare provisions, primarily for civil servants (International Social Security Association , 2019). Post-independence, the government formalized social security, establishing the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) in 1974 as the primary retirement scheme for private sector workers (Social Security Administration, 2019). Despite progress, coverage remains limited compared to developed economies due to a large informal economy and fiscal constraints (International Labour Organization , 2022). Current Social Security Framework Eswatini’s social security system comprises contributory and non-contributory programs, managed by distinct institutions:...

Guinea-Bissau’s social security system has undergone several transformations since the country’s independence from Portugal in 1974. While the nation has faced significant political and economic challenges throughout its history, efforts to establish and reform social protection mechanisms have persisted. This blog explores the key developments in Guinea-Bissau’s social security landscape over the decades. Colonial Period and Early Independence Prior to independence, formal social protection in Guinea-Bissau was extremely limited under Portuguese colonial rule. The few existing social security provisions primarily served colonial administrators and a small segment of formal sector workers in urban areas. After gaining independence in 1974, the new government, led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), attempted to establish more inclusive social protection programs aligned with its socialist ideology. However, these early efforts were constrained by limited resources and institutional capacity. 1980s-1990s: Structural Adjustment and System Challenges The 1980s brought...