Africa's rapidly ageing population faces urgent challenges and opportunities for social protection and governance systems. While older adults have gained attention from a policy standpoint, they remain a significantly vulnerable group across Africa in terms of poverty, exclusion, and health risks. Concurrently, age cohorts are experiencing difficulties in terms of intergenerational solidarity, which is initiated by migration, urbanisation, and changes in family structures. This project examines how changing the social protection policies to be more innovative, inclusive, and resilient can facilitate healthy ageing and support intergenerational equity across African social systems. Using in-depth comparative reviews of policy, qualitative fieldwork, and stakeholder engagement across selected African countries, this research will examine social protection schemes, the role of governance in policy implementation, and how gender, migration, and climate affect older adults' experiences with these policies.
The collaboration in this project will leverage Daniel Chigudu's research on governance and social policy in Africa as well as Martina Brandt's research on ageing societies and social inequalities. Specifically, they will identify best practices and policy innovations that foster intergenerational support, enhance health and well-being for older adults, and contribute to inclusive development. The project aims to generate collaborative publications (e.g., journal articles), policy briefs, and a workshop that brings together African and European scholars and practitioners to continue transnational learning and contribute to a global agenda for healthy, inclusive ageing.
Prof. Daniel Chigudu
University of South Africa (South Africa) | Political Science and Governance
E-mail: daniel.chigudu@college-uaruhr.de
Daniel Chigudu is a political scientist, development practitioner, governance specialist, and Professor of Political Science and Governance at the University of South Africa (UNISA). He holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Management Studies and has over three decades of professional experience spanning academia, international development, civil society leadership, and policy consulting.
Daniel Chigudu is a specialist in governance, peace and conflict studies, social protection, gender equality, and development evaluation, with a particular focus on African contexts. His scholarly interests centre on how governance systems and social protection policies can address systemic vulnerabilities and promote inclusive, resilient societies. He studied at the University of Zimbabwe and has worked with leading international organisations, including the African Union, UNESCO, Oxfam, and the United Nations Development Programme, across Africa and globally since the early 2000s.
He has authored and edited numerous publications and published over 70 scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals. His recent research addresses critical development challenges, including peace and security, climate change, migration, gender-based peacebuilding, and human security in Africa. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the African Journal of Development Studies and has held visiting professorships and research fellowships at academic institutions across Africa and internationally.
©
© Aliona Kardash
Prof. Martina Brandt
TU Dortmund University | Social Structure and Sociology of Ageing Societies
E-mail: martina.brandt@tu-dortmund.de
©
© Aliona Kardash
Prof. Martina Brandt
TU Dortmund University | Social Structure and Sociology of Ageing Societies
E-mail: martina.brandt@tu-dortmund.de
Martina Brandt is Professor for Social Structure and Sociology of Ageing Societies at TU Dortmund University, Vice Dean of Research at the Department of Social Sciences, spokesperson of the research training group ‘New challenges in ageing societies’ (Hans Böckler Foundation) and head of the Master's programme ‘Ageing Societies’ at TU Dortmund University. Until 2025, she held the chair of the Expert Commission on the Ninth Government Report on Older People, and she is involved in the central coordination of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) as Area Coordinator Family and Social Networks. She researches and teaches in the field of ageing in Europe and is interested in family, health and well-being in the life course, care and social support, social inequality and social policy as well as methods of empirical research on ageing.
Website
https://sag.sowi.tu-dortmund.de/en/professorship/team/prof-dr-martina-brandt/