THE National Social Security Authority is on the verge of a historic reform, integrating over three million informal sector workers into Zimbabwe’s social security framework, a move that would rank among the country’s most significant protection rollouts in recent years

The planned informal sector social security scheme targets vendors, cross-border traders, self-employed workers, small-scale traders and other workers currently excluded from formal pension systems.

NSSA general manager Dr Charles Shava said the scheme was nearing completion as the authority moved to broaden social protection coverage and cushion vulnerable workers against poverty and economic shocks.

“One of the key undertakings by the Authority is the introduction of the informal sector scheme which is under construction and is nearing completion.

“This will ensure the more than three million workers in the informal sector will be covered by social security, thereby playing our role of eliminating poverty in our society,” said Dr Shava.

The development comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s informal economy has become the country’s dominant employer, with millions of workers operating outside pension and insurance systems, leaving many vulnerable in old age or during periods of injury, illness or economic distress.

Government recently adopted two key policies, the National Formalisation Strategy and the National Employment Policy (2026–2030) which are meant to integrate the informal sector into the broader economy and remove the stigma of criminalisation.

Thus, the proposed scheme from the social protector forms part of broader reforms NSSA says are aimed at modernising Zimbabwe’s social security architecture and extending coverage to previously excluded groups.

Dr Shava said the authority was currently conducting research, stakeholder consultations and actuarial modelling to design products suited to the realities of informal workers, whose incomes are often irregular and seasonal.

“The envisaged reforms seek to provide accessible and flexible social security solutions that cater for workers in the informal economy such as self-employed individuals, small-scale traders, cross-border traders and other previously excluded groups,” he said.

The reforms are also expected to complement Government’s Vision 2030 agenda by strengthening social protection systems and reducing vulnerability among low-income households.

Apart from the informal sector scheme, NSSA is also pushing for the introduction of a maternity protection scheme, which is currently awaiting approval processes.

The authority says the reforms are part of efforts to build “a resilient, inclusive and sustainable social security system that protects Zimbabwean citizens throughout their lifecycle”.

The announcement comes as NSSA says its pension schemes remain financially sustainable despite inflationary pressures, demographic shifts and growing demand for social protection.

According to Dr Shava, ongoing actuarial assessments show the schemes remain “operationally sound and viable”, although they continue to face pressures linked to economic volatility and changing employment patterns.

The actuarial valuation report, expected by the end of June, is expected to guide future pension adjustments, contribution levels and sustainability measures.

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