Informal Sector Workers and Contributory Social Insurance Schemes: The Case of Cameroon

In Cameroon, formal social protection systems cover only a small fraction-approximately 15 and 25%-of the active population, while the informal sector accounts for 86.6% of employment, predominantly in non-agricultural activities.A significant portion of this population lives in poverty (37.7% below the national poverty line) and faces major barriers to accessing contributory insurance schemes, including income instability, limited education, lack of awareness, and complex administrative procedures.Notably, around 60% of poor individuals are employed, underscoring their heightened vulnerability to social risks.In response to this exclusion, informal and community-based mechanisms-particularly tontines and health mutuals-have emerged as vital alternatives.These systems, though informal, provide essential financial protection and social support, highlighting the need to better understand their role and explore pathways for integrating informal workers into broader social protection frameworks.