Work-injury cover for employers
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa
Side by side
| System | Employer's duty | If you don't comply | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Private insurance (WIBA) | Obtain and maintain an insurance policy (s.7) | Up to KES 100,000 and/or 3 months, + KES 10,000 a day |
| Uganda | Private insurance | Insure and keep insured (s.18) | 10, 20, then 150 currency points and/or 12 months (1 point = UGX 20,000) |
| Tanzania | Public fund (WCF) | Pay 0.5% of employees' gross earnings | 2% interest on late payment |
| Ethiopia | Employer liability | Pay benefits regardless of fault (Art. 96) | 5× annual wages for death or total disablement |
| South Africa | Public fund (Compensation Fund, COIDA) | Register, file an annual Return of Earnings and pay an assessment on earnings up to R668,000 per employee (2026/27) | 10% penalty on a late Return of Earnings; since 1 April 2026, 10% of annual earnings for failing to report an accident |
In Kenya, WIBA only covers accidents in the course of employment; insurers also sell WIBA Plus, which adds 24-hour off-duty accident cover.
Details: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa.
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Frequently asked questions
Is work-injury insurance compulsory in Kenya?
Yes. Section 7 of the Work Injury Benefits Act requires every employer to obtain and maintain an insurance policy.
What do South African employers pay for work injuries?
An annual assessment to the Compensation Fund under COIDA, calculated on each employee's earnings up to R668,000 for 2026/27, after filing a Return of Earnings. Injured workers claim from the Fund instead of suing the employer.
Is an Ethiopian employer liable for a work accident?
Yes, irrespective of fault, except for self-inflicted injuries (Labour Proclamation 1156/2019, Art. 96): up to five times annual wages for death or permanent total disablement of a worker outside the pension scheme.
Sources
- Kenya — Work Injury Benefits Act, 2007
- Uganda — Workers Compensation Act, Cap. 225
- Tanzania — Workers Compensation Fund, contributions
- Ethiopia — Labour Proclamation No. 1156/2019
- South Africa — Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993
- South Africa — COID Amendment Act 10 of 2022 (Government Gazette 48431, 17 April 2023)
- South Africa — Proclamation Notice 306 of 2026, commencement of the COID Amendment Act (Government Gazette 53990, 23 January 2026)
- South Africa — Notice 3910 of 2026, COIDA maximum earnings and minimum assessment (Government Gazette 54577)
- South Africa — Compensation Fund Notice 3894 of 2026, Return of Earnings and late penalty (Government Gazette 54524)