Social protection and digital transformation: the path to reform in Arab countries

Social protection and digital transformation: the path to reform in the Arab countries

The Arab countries are facing increasing development challenges, especially since we are living in accelerating climate crises in recent decades, which makes social protection in the Arab countries an inevitable priority, especially in light of the fluctuations of the global economy and the rise in food and energy prices. That is, social safety nets are the shortest path to improving people’s lives in prosperity and sustainability.

Therefore,Earth Guards highlights the achievements of social protection programs in Arab countries in light of digital transformation efforts; In an attempt to answer questions such as: Do social protection policies in Arab countries keep pace with the magnitude of the current challenges regionally and internationally? What steps are necessary to achieve widespread and effective social safety nets for all citizens? So keep reading.

Social protection first

Several Arab countries have begun to redefine their social systems, inspired by international principles that affirm that the right to social protection is an integral part of human dignity. Recent years have witnessed a noticeable expansion in the size and diversity of social programs. In order to respond to demographic and economic variables. In the following lines, we present to you the most prominent Arab models that have come a long way in the field of implementing social protection programs:

مصر

In 2015, Egypt launchedSolidarity and Dignity Program, to be one of the most prominent structural transformations in the social support system, as Egypt moved from a commodity-based support model to a model of organized cash transfers, based on accurate data through digital transformation tools, as this national program was based on the data of the beneficiaries’ national number, as well as on the “Proxy Means-Test” system. (PMT) (a test that measures a family’s assets and economic characteristics to estimate its income or consumption).

The number of families benefitingfrom the program until 2024 reached about 5.2 million families in need of care, most of whom are from the most vulnerable groups. Thus, the program contributed to significantly reducing the chances of beneficiary families slipping into poverty, and improving health indicators for children in particular.

Morocco

In Morocco, the state has come a long way towards universalizing social protection, by expanding the scope of compulsory health coverage to include artisans, professionals, and self-employed workers. The Moroccan government has launched a national road map to achieve universal coverage, a path that is considered one of the most ambitious experiments in the region.

ThisThe Moroccan transformationin social protection explains what ESCWA confirmed in its 2023 report, where it said that Morocco is one of the Arab countries that is increasingly investing in human capital, by expanding insurance, simplifying procedures, and linking protection to employment policies.

Tunisia

As for Tunisia, which has a broad support system, the state is currently continuing to implement structural social reforms. In order to transform the traditional public support system into a direct cash transfer system, precisely targeting vulnerable groups. The World Bank confirmed in its report issued within the program “Enhancing Social Protection” that this transformation is a fundamental step by which Tunisia ensures that support reaches those who deserve it, thus reducing waste and enhancing efficiency and social justice.

Also, according to the previous report, the national Tunisian “Social Security” program currently provides cash transfers to more than 333,000 poor families, in addition to free health care services, and this is at a time when approximately 620,000 low-income families receive reduced social benefits in a model that combines protection and transitional support using digital transformation tools.

Social justice and digital transformation

In this context, the impact of technology and digital transformation in stimulating Arab social protection programs cannot be overlooked. The field of digital transformation has become an integral part of the design and implementation of social policies. This made it possible to improve targeting efficiency, reduce overlap between groups most cared for and others, and enhance follow-up and evaluation. The most prominent example of this digital transformation in the field of social protection is the system we mentioned previously. Means Testing System (PMT), for the Solidarity and Dignity Programme.

From the above it is clear to us how social protection policies and various programs in many Arab countries are the cornerstone for advancing national economies, and a major lever for achieving all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal No. (1) related to eradicating poverty, Goal No. (8) related to decent work, and Goal No. (10) concerned with reducing inequalities.

So, the three previous models – Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia – showed that there are serious transformations taking place on the ground, and these transformations are based on digital and structural reforms, and bet on accurate data and good governance. With a desire to improve targeting, and in an effort to reduce the waste of resources.

Therefore, theThe Earth Guards Foundation stresses the need for all Arab countries to expand the umbrella of social protection, to include workers in the informal sector and marginalized groups, while achieving renewed political will, sustainable investment in human capital, and a fair and secure digital infrastructure.