THE government has formally launched the National Social Protection Policy of 2023 tied up with an informal sector self-employed scheme counting more than 509,000 registered subscriptions as of December 2025.

Deus Sangu, the Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations state minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) made this affirmation here yesterday at the social protection sector stakeholders conference, attended by more than 1,000 participants

The scheme lays a strong foundation for encouraging informal sector workers to join social security systems and access key benefits, including healthcare and income protection, expanding social protection coverage to millions of Tanzanians who earn their livelihoods outside the formal employment system, the minister asserted.

“The introduction of this scheme reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that all citizens with the capacity to contribute are reached and enabled to benefit from social protection services,” he stated.

In a major policy move, the government confirmed it has formally recognised and settled a long-standing 4.46trn/- social security contribution debt inherited by the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF) for social security schemes prior to June 1999.

The government has so far paid 4.26trn/-, equivalent to 95 per cent of the total debt, with verification of the remaining balance ongoing ahead of final settlement, he said, underlining that clearing historical arrears has strengthened the financial sustainability of social security funds.

It similarly stands to improve service delivery, with members now receiving regular benefits within 30 days of application, while pension payments are disbursed consistently on the 25th of every month, he said.

The informal sector scheme targets a wide range of beneficiaries, including farmers, pastoralists, fishermen, small-scale miners, food vendors, motorcycle and tricycle operators, where the government expects that more than five million people will have enrolled by June 2031.

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) needs to intensify registration efforts for this critical segment of the population as it constitutes the majority of the working population, he said.

Hawa Mchafu, the chairperson of the Social Welfare and Community Development standing committee of the National Assembly, said the policy and the new scheme would significantly accelerate socio-economic development at household and national levels.

The committee will be working closely with the relevant institutions to ensure the objectives of strengthening the social protection sector are achieved without obstacles, she said.

The initiative forms part of the implementation of Tanzania Development Vision 2050, which prioritises quality livelihoods and well-being for all citizens, alongside the target of universal access to inclusive social security services, she added.