Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government, has launched the National Social Protection Policy alongside a new social security scheme for self-employed citizens, known as the Hifadhi Scheme, aimed at expanding social security coverage and strengthening public participation in social protection systems.
The initiative was unveiled on Monday, during a stakeholders’ meeting for the social protection sector held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
The event was officiated by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations), Mr Deus Sangu, on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Speaking at the launch, Sangu said the policy is part of the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050, which seeks to ensure inclusive and accessible social security services for all citizens.
He noted that since 2018, the government has implemented major reforms, including the consolidation of social security funds into the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF), with the aim of improving efficiency and streamlining service delivery.
According to the minister, the reforms have led to a significant increase in membership. NSSF membership rose from 808,935 in 2020 to more than 2,213,659 in 2025, while PSSSF membership increased from 697,677 to 899,948 over the same period.
He added that the total investment value of the funds grew from 9.36tri/- to 20.14tri/-, bringing the combined value of social security funds to 24.20tri/-.
On the Hifadhi Scheme, Mr Sangu said that by December 2025 more than 500,000 members, including farmers, pastoralists, fishermen and entrepreneurs, had been enrolled, with a target of reaching 5.5 million members by June 2031.
The Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations), Ms Mary Maganga, said the government has tasked NSSF with expanding social security coverage among self-employed citizens to ensure effective implementation of the new policy.
Earlier, NSSF Director General, Mr Masha Mshomba, said the Fund continues to strengthen service delivery, increase member registration and expand its investment portfolio both locally and internationally, including in SADC countries and the East African region.
He noted that under the sixth phase government, the value of NSSF grew from 4.8tri/- in 2021 to 10.4tri/- as of December 2025. The Fund has also recorded surpluses for four consecutive years, from 2021 to the 2024/25 financial year exceeding the target of a 1tri/- surplus.
