NASSIT DG Hands Over ASSA Vice Chairmanship at Africa Summit
Theresa Manneh Director General of Sierra Leone’s National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Chernor Mamoud Jalloh, has handed over the Vice Chairmanship of the Africa Social Security Association (ASSA) Governing Council to the Director General of Côte d’Ivoire’s social security institution, marking the conclusion of Sierra Leone’s tenure in the continental leadership position.
The handover took place during the inaugural Africa Social Security Summit, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 29 to 30 October 2026. The summit was organised by ASSA under the theme, “Harmonisation of Social Security Systems for Infrastructure and Economic Transformation in Africa.”
Mr Jalloh attended the summit alongside NASSIT Board of Trustees Chairperson, Madam Jenneh Jabati, and other senior management officials. The gathering brought together policymakers, social security executives and industry experts to discuss strategies for strengthening social protection systems across Africa.
During the summit, Mr Jalloh also participated in a panel discussion focused on expanding social security coverage among informal sector workers. Discussions examined how demand-driven benefits, digital platforms and mobile payment solutions could improve registration and contribution collection among workers outside the formal economy.
Participants highlighted the importance of affordable and flexible contribution arrangements that accommodate workers with irregular incomes, as well as the use of technology to simplify administrative processes and improve access to social security services.
The summit also addressed the role of pension funds in financing infrastructure and economic development across the continent. Delegates discussed investment and regulatory frameworks, with emphasis on sound governance, prudent investment practices and the protection of contributors’ funds.
NASSIT’s participation provided an opportunity to exchange experiences with other African social security institutions on expanding coverage, improving service delivery and strengthening investment management.
Other members of the Sierra Leone delegation included Jonathan Lamboi, General Manager for Investment, and Cyril Jalloh, Acting General Manager for the Informal Sector.
The handover of the ASSA Governing Council’s Vice Chairmanship marked the end of Sierra Leone’s tenure in the position, while the summit provided a platform for African social security institutions to strengthen cooperation and explore common approaches to improving social protection across the continent.