Sierra Leone’s first Social Protection Bill is in the offing. This piece of legislation would establish a comprehensive legal framework for coordinating social protection programs in the country.

The bill has scaled its third reading in the parliament. Parliamentary sources hinted that the passage marks a significant step toward addressing gaps in the country’s social protection system.

The journey began in 2022 with regional consultations led by the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, in partnership with various social partners and stakeholders and an initial draft prepared by the Ministry of Justice.

The sources spoke of additional consultations completed in 2024 with financial support from the World Bank. “This ensured that the Bill was inclusive and reflective of the diverse needs of communities across the nation”

At the heart of the new law would be the establishment of a Social Protection Authority. The Authority would be responsible for coordinating all social protection activities in Serria Leone. It would also help in eliminating redundancies and overlaps that have arisen in terms of social protection programmes in different agencies in the country. “It will also oversee the Social Protection Breadbasket Fund, a dedicated resource aimed at providing sustainable support for various initiatives targeting Sierra Leone's most vulnerable populations”.

The Social Protection Bill builds on existing foundational policies, including the 2018 Social Protection Policy and the 2022-2026 Social Protection Strategy, while aligning with broader regional frameworks such as the African Union's Strategy on Social Protection. This unified approach would tackle poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, ensuring that no citizen is left behind.

Lawmakers have hailed the legislation as transformative, emphasizing its potential to strengthen the social safety net in Sierra Leone. Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Dr. Alpha Osman Timbo, described it as, “a bold step toward fulfilling the government’s commitment to equity and social justice”. This historic enactment underscores Sierra Leone's dedication to improving the lives of its citizens and advancing sustainable development goals, setting a positive example for other nations in the region.