This policy brief examines the role of digital social protection (DSP) in enhancing access and equity for migrant workers in Africa. DSP utilizes information and communication technologies (ICTs) to manage social security programs, such as cash transfers and healthcare services, thereby improving efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing errors. Initiatives like South African Social Security Agency’s SASSA payment card and Nigeria’s National Social Safety Nets Project (NASSP) demonstrate DSP’s potential to increase coverage and transparency in social protection systems. Migrant workers, essential to Africa’s economic growth, face barriers including cross-border mobility, lack of formal identification, and digital exclusion. DSP addresses these issues by enabling portable benefits, simplifying registration through biometric verification, and designing inclusive systems. However, challenges such as digital divides, low digital literacy, and data protection vulnerabilities persist. The brief recommends investing in digital infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, simplifying registration processes, and enhancing the role of trade unions. Collaborative efforts among governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders are crucial for building resilient DSP frameworks that ensure equitable access and support sustainable socio-economic development in Africa.
