Policy Seminar | IFPRI Policy SeminarFinancing Social Protection in Low- and Middle-Income CountriesCo-organized by IFPRI and the CGIAR Science Program on Policy InnovationsApril 29, 2026Social protection and safety net programs have expanded significantly across many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the last two decades. Despite this progress, the expansion and coverage of these programs remain uneven, leaving nearly 2 billion people in LMICs without access to social protection.Innovative financing mechanisms and domestic funding have helped some LMICs make important strides in expanding their social protection programs, but fiscal constraints prevent other countries from doing so. These challenges are becoming more pronounced amid reduced international development aid and the effects of regional and global shocks, even as such shocks necessitate the expansion of social safety nets to protect poor and vulnerable populations.This policy seminar will discuss lessons learned from countries and organizations that have implemented large-scale social protection programs. It will bring together government representatives, practitioners, and researchers to share important insights and global, regional, and national statistics related to financing social protection and safety net programs.Welcoming RemarksDaniel Gilligan, Director, Poverty, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), IFPRIGlobal Experience and Lessons on Financing Social Protection and Safety Net Programs in LMICsUgo Gentilini, Lead Economist, Social Policy (MENAAP region), World BankCases and Experiences from AfricaKibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRIPanel Discussion: Lessons and Experiences from Selected CountriesRaafat Shafeek, Assistant Minister for Social Protection and Executive Director, Takaful and Karama Program, Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS), EgyptAsmita More, Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), Gadchiroli, Govt. of Maharashtra, IndiaLynette Ochuma, Ag. Secretary, Directorate of Social Development (DSD), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), KenyaButhaina Al-Iryani, Social Policy & Public Finance Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)Ival Cummings-John, Social Development Advisor, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)Closing RemarksClemens Breisinger, Director, CGIAR Science Program on Policy InnovationsModeratorMelissa Hidrobo, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRIMore about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/financing-social-protection-in-low-and-middle-income-countries/Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription