Gov’t, ZAMAST and ZANAMACA Sign MoU to Extend Social Security to Informal Workers
Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Zambia Micro and Small Traders Foundation Cooperative Society Limited (ZAMAST) and the Zambia National Marketeers Credit Association (ZANAMACA) to expand social security coverage to workers in the informal economy.
The MoU, signed in Lusaka, is aimed at implementing the 2023–2027 National Strategy on the Extension of Social Security Coverage to the Informal Economy. It will target marketeers, small-scale farmers, traders and small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.
Under the agreement, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security will work with ZAMAST and ZANAMACA to mobilise, sensitise and register informal economy workers, while promoting compliance through grassroots institutions.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ZANAMACA president Mupila Kameya described the partnership as a historic milestone for informal economy operators, saying it marked an important step towards economic security and formalisation.
He said Government’s recognition of ZANAMACA and ZAMAST followed years of engagement and advocacy on behalf of informal workers.
Mr Kameya said the two organisations had committed themselves to mobilising and sensitising marketeers, traders, small-scale farmers and SMEs nationwide on the importance and benefits of social security.
ZANAMACA and ZAMAST chief executive officer Teddy Sinkala reaffirmed their commitment to act as advocates for informal economy workers, ensuring their needs and concerns are reflected in the design and delivery of social security products and services.
He added that the organisations would also collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, financial institutions, insurance companies, the private sector and cooperating partners to build an inclusive and effective social security system.
Mr Kameya appealed to financial institutions and insurance firms to develop products tailored to informal economy workers, while calling on the donor community to provide logistical support to accelerate implementation of the national strategy.
The MoU was signed on behalf of Government by Ministry of Labour and Social Security permanent secretary Zechariah Luhanga, while Minister Brenda Tambatamba said the agreement formed part of wider efforts to address low social security coverage among informal economy workers, who constitute the majority of Zambia’s labour force.
According to ZANAMACA, Zambia has more than 4,000 markets with an estimated population of over five million informal economy operators, underscoring the urgency of large-scale mobilisation and onboarding.
