RMA eyes bigger continental role as DRC seeks South African worker protection expertise

Johannesburg – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is exploring collaboration with South Africa’s Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) to modernise its occupational injury compensation and social protection systems.

The discussions took place during a high-level working visit by a DRC government delegation led by Labour and Employment Minister Ferdinand Massamba wa Massamba to RMA’s headquarters in Parktown, Johannesburg, on Monday.

The engagement focused on strengthening systems that compensate workers injured at work, improve rehabilitation and enhance social protection across the DRC.

RMA said the DRC delegation held discussions with executives led by Group CEO Mandla Shezi, technical specialists and programme leads on how the South African insurer’s operational models could support the DRC’s efforts to modernise its compensation and social protection framework.

The two sides agreed to explore cooperation in several areas, including claims administration, employer compliance, medical management, rehabilitation, injury prevention, pensions, technology and the long-term sustainability of compensation funds.

“We have jointly agreed to explore collaboration across claims administration, employer compliance, medical management, rehabilitation, prevention, pensions, technology and fund sustainability,” Shezi said.

The engagement also included an assessment of the DRC’s existing system to identify gaps and determine how RMA’s expertise could improve worker protection and administrative efficiency.

Minister Massamba wa Massamba said the engagement demonstrated the potential for South African expertise to contribute to addressing challenges facing social protection systems elsewhere on the continent.

“This partnership demonstrates that South African expertise can help address shared challenges, especially those we have in our country,” Massamba wa Massamba said.

“Their experience shows that when compensation systems are strengthened, workers, employers and communities all benefit,” he added.

The discussions come as African countries seek to strengthen occupational injury compensation, rehabilitation and broader social insurance systems.

RMA said the visit highlighted its more than 130 years of experience in social insurance and its role as a potential continental partner in developing more effective worker protection systems.

The company said it remained committed to working with governments and other partners across Africa to develop “stronger, more responsive social insurance systems” aimed at protecting workers and contributing to healthier and more resilient societies.