Vice President ProfJane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on African countries to develop stronger, more inclusive and sustainable pension systems capable of responding to the continent’s changing demographic trends and protecting future generations.
The Vice President made the call while delivering remarks at the opening of the 7th Annual Conference of the Africa Pension Supervisors Association (APSA) 2026, hosted in Ghana by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA).
The conference brought together pension regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, development partners and delegates from across Africa to deliberate on the future of pension systems on the continent.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that although Africa remains the world’s youngest continent, its population is gradually ageing, creating the need for forward-looking pension frameworks that can provide adequate support for retirees while preparing for future challenges.
She stressed the importance of expanding pension coverage, particularly to millions of workers in the informal sector who remain outside traditional retirement protection schemes.
The Vice President also highlighted the role of digital technology and innovation in improving pension accessibility, enhancing service delivery, strengthening compliance and encouraging more workers to participate in retirement savings programmes.
She, however, cautioned that expanding access must be balanced with long-term sustainability to ensure pension systems remain resilient.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further emphasised the need for greater cooperation among African countries as economic integration deepens through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to her, increased labour mobility across borders requires stronger collaboration among regulators and policymakers to protect migrant workers and ensure that retirement benefits are preserved regardless of where individuals work.
She urged participants at the conference to focus on key priorities, including accelerating pension inclusion, embracing technology and innovation, strengthening cross-border pension cooperation, and promoting transparency, accountability and effective governance within pension institutions.
“The strength of our pension systems reflects how we honour those who have worked, sacrificed, and contributed to national development, and how we support them when they need us most,” she said.
The Vice President commended the Africa Pension Supervisors Association and the National Pensions Regulatory Authority for organising the conference, expressing confidence that the discussions would contribute to building stronger and more inclusive pension systems across Africa.
