The digital transformation of welfare systems in Africa represents both a milestone in accessibility and a critical challenge for inclusivity. Welfare payments—government financial support provided to individuals who cannot work due to pregnancy, disability, illness, or old age—constitute an essential part of social protection. This framework is vital for upholding basic human rights, alleviating poverty, and ensuring societal dignity and health.
Historically, social protection systems are funded through a mix of worker contributions and general taxation, creating a safety net for those in need. As of 2010, only five African nations—Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, and South Africa—had comprehensive social protection policies. By 2019, this number had grown to 35 out of 54 countries, showcasing the continent’s commitment to expanding these programs.
The Digital Leap in Social Protection
Recent years have seen a rapid shift toward digitalizing social protection systems. Digital platforms allow individuals to apply for and receive welfare payments online or via mobile phones. This shift offers numerous advantages: reduced travel to government offices, decreased waiting times, elimination of excessive paperwork, and the convenience of 24/7 access to services.
However, the digital transformation also reveals significant inequalities. Millions of marginalized people face barriers that prevent them from benefiting from these advancements. The two largest obstacles are a lack of internet access and smartphones, compounded by inadequate digital literacy.
The Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, only about 51% of the population owns a smartphone, and less than one-third have internet access. These statistics highlight the inequities of digital transformation, particularly for vulnerable groups such as informal sector workers, people with disabilities, and rural communities. While digital systems streamline processes for some, they unintentionally exclude those most in need of social protection.
Research Findings: Challenges in Digital Social Protection
A 2023 study—the largest of its kind—investigated the impacts of digital social protection systems on marginalized workers across seven African nations: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Conducted in partnership with labor, disability, and digital rights organizations, the research involved 276 surveys, 36 interviews with key informants, and 421 focus group participants.
The study unveiled numerous barriers marginalized workers face:
- Availability: Many workers live in areas without reliable 4G networks or electricity, rendering digital systems inaccessible. These infrastructural gaps hinder registration and payment processes.
- Affordability: The high costs of smartphones and mobile data remain prohibitive. As a domestic worker from Zambia explained, “Most of us don’t have big phones with internet.”
- Awareness: Workers often lack awareness of their rights or knowledge of how to access digital systems. Campaigns to educate informal workers on these platforms are insufficient.
- Abilities: The lack of digital literacy, financial skills, and access to services in local languages limits participation. Online forms are predominantly in English, further excluding non-English speakers.
- Accessibility: Platforms often fail to accommodate disabilities. For instance, blind users lack adaptive technologies, and ATMs are not wheelchair-friendly.
- Accountability: Digital systems can diminish accountability and transparency. When errors occur, there is no human intermediary to assist, leaving workers frustrated and powerless. Additionally, concerns about data privacy and misuse of personal information were repeatedly raised.
Structural Drivers of Digitalization
The study highlighted that the shift to digital systems was largely driven by senior managers seeking efficiency gains and development donors like the World Bank, Mastercard, and private IT corporations. While proponents emphasize reduced corruption and cost savings, the top-down nature of these initiatives often excludes the voices of the very people they aim to serve. Marginalized workers, particularly those in the informal sector, are rarely consulted or involved in designing these systems.
Addressing the Six “A”s of Social Protection Access
The research findings stress the importance of addressing six critical dimensions to ensure equitable access to social protection systems:
- Availability: Expanding network and electricity infrastructure is essential for broader access.
- Affordability: Reducing the cost of smartphones and mobile data is necessary to bridge the economic divide.
- Awareness: Launching robust awareness campaigns to educate workers about their rights and system usage is crucial.
- Ability: Providing training in digital and financial literacy can empower marginalized groups.
- Accessibility: Designing platforms with inclusivity in mind—offering services in local languages and accommodating disabilities—is vital.
- Accountability: Ensuring mechanisms for error correction and data protection can build trust in the system.
The Way Forward: Inclusivity and Participatory Design
To prevent digital exclusion, governments must retain non-digital options for accessing social protection systems, such as in-person registration and cash payments. Furthermore, marginalized groups and their representatives must be actively involved in every stage of the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital systems. Collaborative governance ensures that the tools meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders and leave no one behind.
In conclusion, while the digitalization of welfare systems in Africa holds promise for greater efficiency and convenience, it must prioritize equity and inclusivity. By addressing systemic barriers and involving marginalized communities, governments can ensure that technological advancements benefit everyone, not just the digitally privileged.
Cite this article as (APA format):
AR Managing Editor (2024). Digital Transformation of Welfare in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, and Inclusive Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/digital-transformation-of-welfare-in-africa-challenges-opportunities-and-inclusive-solutions/
The African Research (AR) Index is a comprehensive scholarly directory and database focused explicitly on journal publishers that publish and disseminate African research.
