African Union Member States have recognized social protection as a critical component of their social development and inclusive growth strategies. The 2004 Ouagadougou Declaration and Plan of Action on Employment and Poverty Alleviation in Africa acknowledged the need for increased coverage and enhanced effectiveness of social protection as a response to chronic poverty; the 2006 Livingstone Accords further recognized social protection as a human right, as well as included specific government commitments to social protection; and the 2008 Africa Union (AU) Social Policy Framework explicitly identified social protection as one of its core components. All these processes have contributed to building a critical momentum for social protection in Africa. In addition, despite increased economic growth in some parts of Africa, poverty, exclusion and inequality continue to prevail across the continent. There is consequently a heightened recognition of the need to redefine the social contract and reform or develop social protection systems to ensure inclusive and thriving societies.