Financing Social Protection in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Policy Seminar | IFPRI Policy Seminar Financing Social Protection in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Co-organized by IFPRI and the CGIAR Science Program on Policy Innovations April 29, 2026 Social protection and safety net programs have expanded significantly across many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the last two decades. Despite this progress, the expansion and coverage of these programs remain uneven, leaving nearly 2 billion people in LMICs without access to social protection. Innovative financing mechanisms and domestic funding have helped some LMICs make important strides in expanding their social protection programs, but fiscal constraints prevent other countries from doing so. These challenges are becoming more pronounced amid reduced international development aid and the effects of regional and global shocks, even as such shocks necessitate the expansion of social safety nets to protect poor and vulnerable populations. This policy seminar will discuss lessons learned from countries and organizations that have implemented large-scale social protection programs. It will bring together government representatives, practitioners, and researchers to share important insights and global, regional, and national statistics related to financing social protection and safety net programs. Welcoming Remarks Daniel Gilligan, Director, Poverty, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), IFPRI Global Experience and Lessons on Financing Social Protection and Safety Net Programs in LMICs Ugo Gentilini, Lead Economist, Social Policy (MENAAP region), World Bank Cases and Experiences from Africa Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI Panel Discussion: Lessons and Experiences from Selected Countries Raafat Shafeek, Assistant Minister for Social Protection and Executive Director, Takaful and Karama Program, Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS), Egypt Asmita More, Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), Gadchiroli, Govt. of Maharashtra, India Lynette Ochuma, Ag. Secretary, Directorate of Social Development (DSD), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), Kenya Buthaina Al-Iryani, Social Policy & Public Finance Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ival Cummings-John, Social Development Advisor, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Closing Remarks Clemens Breisinger, Director, CGIAR Science Program on Policy Innovations Moderator Melissa Hidrobo, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/financing-social-protection-in-low-and-middle-income-countries/ Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription