6th Annual Africa Pension Supervisors Association Conference

The pension landscape across Africa is diverse, with various pension system designs tailored to the specific demographics and economic realities of each nation.  While these systems differ in their nuances, a common thread runs through the majority: they can be broadly categorized as either contributory or non-contributory.  Contributory schemes require active participation from both employees and employers, with regular contributions building a fund for retirement.  In contrast, non-contributory systems, often government-funded, provide benefits without requiring direct contributions from individuals during their working years.  This fundamental distinction shapes the structure, funding mechanisms, and long-term sustainability of pension provisions across the continent.

In recent years, the pension landscape has been reshaped by the rise of innovative technologies and growing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns in fund management and investment. These developments have fundamentally transformed the global pension sector, demanding a rethinking of pension designs to address these evolving dynamics. At the same time, pension systems across the continent face persistent challenges, including low coverage —especially among women—governance issues, limited capacity, longevity risk, cyber insecurity, inadequate but growing assets under management, restrictive regulatory frameworks, and significant macroeconomic and demographic shifts. These include rapid population growth, a burgeoning youth population, and high unemployment rates, all of which underscore the urgent need for innovative and inclusive solutions. Understanding pension reforms, challenges, opportunities, and the changing investment landscape is crucial for building resilient, inclusive pension systems. This knowledge empowers regulators, policymakers, scheme administrators, fund managers, and financial experts to collaborate and ensure adequate retirement income.

The Africa Pension Supervisors’ Association (APSA), with support from FSD Africa and in collaboration with the Supervisory Authority of Insurance and Social Welfare (ACAPS) of Morocco, is hosting its 6th Annual Conference this year in the city of Marrakesh, lying west at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.  This conference will provide a platform to review Africa’s pension landscape, identify gaps, and explore strategies for building resilient pension systems. Participants will gain insights into the current state and prospects of African pensions, including emerging issues like technological solutions for pension administration and supervision, adoption of innovative solutions, climate change, and micro-pensions.  The goal is to equip stakeholders with the knowledge needed to integrate these trends and manage emerging risks to ensure a secure retirement for Africans.

This Conference will bring together a diverse audience comprising stakeholders in the pensions sector to have a meaningful exchange of ideas and experiences. The audience will include senior government officials and regulators working on pension reforms and implementation within Africa, and from countries across the globe. Participants will include policymakers, regulators, pension stakeholders, think-tanks, thought leaders, senior economists, and independent domain experts.