By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
On Thursday, 23rd January 2025, Sierra Leone’s Parliament, under the stewardship of the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas has made history by unanimously passing the nation’s first Social Protection Bill, a transformative piece of legislation designed to uplift vulnerable populations and streamline social protection efforts.
The Bill, enacted after a rigorous third reading and spirited debate, establishes a comprehensive legal framework for social protection under the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security.
This groundbreaking legislation seeks to close long-standing gaps in social protection programs and improve coordination across public and private sectors. For decades, fragmented implementation of social interventions has limited their impact. The new law seeks to unify these efforts, bringing hope to millions who rely on these critical services.
The journey to this historic milestone began in 2022, when the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security initiated nationwide consultations with key stakeholders. Following the development of an initial draft by the Attorney-General’s Office, President Julius Maada Bio’s Cabinet called for additional consultations to ensure the Bill reflected a diversity of perspectives.
In 2024, with financial support from the World Bank, these consultations were completed, involving voices from civil society, academia, private-sector actors, and regional representatives. This inclusive process ensured that the Bill’s provisions addressed the real needs of Sierra Leoneans while aligning with international best practices.
Central to the legislation is the creation of a Social Protection Authority, a dedicated body tasked with coordinating all social protection activities. For years, fragmented efforts across various agencies led to inefficiencies and overlapping initiatives. The new Authority will ensure cohesion, improve service delivery, and oversee the Social Protection Breadbasket, a specialized fund to support critical social protection programs.
The Social Protection Bill builds on earlier frameworks, including the 2018 Social Protection Policy and the 2022–2026 Social Protection Strategy. It also aligns with the African Union’s Strategy on Social Protection, underscoring Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional and international standards.
Lawmakers have hailed the Bill as a game-changer for Sierra Leone’s social welfare system. The Speaker of Parliament described it as “a step towards equity, dignity, and resilience for the most vulnerable in our society.”
The enactment of the Social Protection Law marks a new chapter in Sierra Leone’s development journey. It not only consolidates existing efforts but also lays the foundation for a more inclusive and just society.
“The bill entitled: the Sierra Leone Social Protection Act 2025 being an act to provide for the establishment of the National Social Protection Authority, to promote and advance the social and economic well-being of vulnerable persons, to establish a legal and institutional framework for the development, implementation and maintenance, facilitation, monitoring and evaluation of social protection programs, to promote poverty reduction, to develop exit strategies for beneficiaries to be able to attain independence, and to provide for other related matters has been read for the third time and passed into a law, Parliament announced.