The Rise of Social Safety Nets in Africa

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Social safety nets are taking off across Africa, where more than 120 cash transfer programs have been set up in the past 10 years alone. There is growing evidence that they significantly help to reduce poverty. In Rwanda, for example, the government has attributed rapidly falling poverty between 2006 and 2011 partly to the Vision 2020 Umurenge program of public works and cash transfers.

What do we need to know about scaling up safety nets in Africa? An interactive discussion brings together policymakers, experts, and the private sector to examine the latest evidence for investing in safety nets and to look at what new technologies can do to make these programs more efficient and transparent.

DATE: Friday, April 20, 2012

TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 10 a.m. (Breakfast at 8.30 a.m.)

PLACE: J-B1-080

World Bank Headquarters

1818 H Street NW, Washington DC

PARTICIPANTS: Ms. Obiageli Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President, Africa Region

Ms. Tamar M. Atinc, World Bank Vice President, Human Development

Hon. John Rwangombwa (Minister of Finance & Economic Planning, Rwanda)

Mr. John Staley, Director, Mobile Banking and Payment Innovations, Equity Bank

Moderator: Phil Hay

WEBCAST: The event will be webcast live at www.livestream.com/WorldBankAfrica

Media must register for this event. Please RSVP to Kavita Watsa at [email protected] or by calling +1 202 458 8810

Please note that journalists need to be accredited to the Spring Meetings to attend the event (https://www-amsweb-ext.imf.org/press-ext/) Accredited journalists should gather in the press room, IMF Building HQ2, 3rd Floor, 15 minutes prior to the event starting to be escorted to the venue.