Kigali, Rwanda 3rd February 2026– The Director General of Sierra Leone’s National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, has been elected Vice Chairman of the Africa Social Security Association (ASSA). His election, unopposed, took place during the Association’s 30th Governing Council meeting on January 30, 2026, at the Serena Hotel in Kigali.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Daboh expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to advance social security across Africa and beyond. He acknowledged the sector’s pressing challenges, including unregulated informal economies, limited coverage, inadequate funding, and shifting demographics. “Consider these challenges as an opportunity to innovate, collaborate and build systems that will serve the hearts of the African community,” he urged.
The NASSIT chief emphasized the need for African leadership to accelerate digitisation, harness technology to expand access, and streamline administration. He called for deeper regional cooperation, harmonised approaches tailored to Africa’s realities, and stronger engagement with the informal sector to extend meaningful coverage to every worker and family. “I am ready to roll up my sleeves and work hand in hand with you to change the pension landscape in Africa,” he declared.
ASSA Secretary Meshech Bandawe congratulated Mr Daboh, describing his election as a testament to his “statesmanship, dedication and strong leadership at national, continental and global levels.” He noted that Daboh’s role is particularly critical at a time when the substantive Chairman is indisposed, adding that the Association’s transformation and harmonisation of social security now rest firmly on his shoulders.
Mr Daboh’s rise within continental and global social security circles has been marked by significant milestones. In 2020, he was appointed Vice-Chairperson of the Technical Commission on Investment of Social Security Funds of the International Social Security Association (ISSA). Two years later, he was elected to the Bureau of ISSA, further cementing his reputation as a reform-minded leader.
ASSA itself has undergone transformation in recent years. Established in 2007 as the East and Central Africa Social Security Association (ECASSA), it was renamed ASSA in 2023 to reflect a broader continental mandate. Officially registered in Tanzania in July 2023, ASSA has since been endorsed by the African Union as the continent’s premier social security institution.
With Mr Daboh now serving as Vice Chairman, Sierra Leone’s social security leadership takes on a continental dimension, positioning the country at the heart of Africa’s push for stronger, more inclusive systems that safeguard livelihoods and promote economic resilience.
