Togo Launches National Biodiversity Finance Programme with UNDP Support

Agriculture

Thursday, 22 January 2026 10:58

Togo Launches National Biodiversity Finance Programme with UNDP Support

(Togo First) - Togo has joined the list of countries with a Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) programme. The West African nation launched its national programme on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Lomé, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Launched by the UNDP in 2012, BIOFIN helps countries develop and implement biodiversity financing plans. In Togo, the programme is expected to mobilise sustainable funding to protect natural capital, a key sustainable development priority.

The programme will be rolled out in several stages, starting with an assessment of public policies and institutions involved in biodiversity conservation to identify gaps and propose improvements. The second phase will review biodiversity-related spending, including funding that supports conservation as well as activities that harm ecosystems. The third step will estimate the funding required to implement the priorities identified.

BIOFIN will build on existing UNDP support in Togo, including projects to promote sustainable land and ecosystem management in the country’s semi-arid north. UNDP support also covers low-carbon village initiatives, the preparation of National Communications, and implementation of Togo’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

According to Abiziou Tchninguilou, an environment programme officer at the UNDP, BIOFIN’s launch in Togo aligns with the agency’s global strategy. “In its 2026-2029 strategic plan, the UNDP includes a focus area titled ‘A Healthy Planet’, which links sustainable development to prosperity,” he said.

During its pilot phase, BIOFIN was implemented in 41 countries, helping them develop and carry out national financing plans. Globally, the initiative has helped mobilise about $2.7 billion for biodiversity conservation.

Esaïe Edoh

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.