World Bank Group, Queen Máxima push financial health agenda for informal-sector workers

The World Bank Group convened a high-level roundtable featuring Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Financial Health, alongside government, regulatory, and financial sector representatives. The event, themed "From Savings to Prosperity: Informal-Sector Pensions, Financial Health, and Capital Markets," aimed to expand savings opportunities, pension coverage, and access to capital markets for informal-sector workers.

The roundtable, organized by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), focused on strengthening household financial resilience and mobilizing domestic savings for productive investment.

Ghana has made substantial progress in financial inclusion, with 81% of adults holding a financial account in 2024, surpassing the 58% average across Sub-Saharan Africa. However, challenges persist, with only 30% of adults able to cover expenses for more than two months following a main income source loss, and 18% saving formally for old age. Queen Máxima stressed the importance of integrating savings, insurance, pensions, and broader financial resilience beyond mere account ownership.

Nathalie Kouassi-Akon, IFC Division Director for West Africa Gulf of Guinea, noted that the roundtable aimed to build on Ghana's financial inclusion achievements while addressing gaps in household financial security. She emphasized that financial inclusion is a means to an end, not an end itself, and called for collective action from regulators, pension providers, investors, financial institutions, and innovators to devise scalable solutions and practical commitments.

A key discussion centered on creating financial products tailored to the income patterns of informal-sector workers, who often face irregular earnings. Participants explored flexible micro-pension models with daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal, or lump-sum contribution options. Mobile-money platforms, agent networks, and trade associations were identified as crucial for enhancing access and convenience.

The discussions also underscored the need to link long-term savings with appropriate insurance, emergency liquidity, and responsible credit to help households manage unforeseen financial pressures without jeopardizing retirement plans.