Sandra Ablamba Johnson Recognized for Policy Leadership at Togo Top Impact 2026

Economic governance

Monday, 02 February 2026 16:32

Sandra Ablamba Johnson Recognized for Policy Leadership at Togo Top Impact 2026

(Togo First) - The eighth edition of Togo Top Impact concluded on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, in Lomé, awarding the Grand Prize of Excellence to Sandra Ablamba Johnson, Minister and Secretary General of the Presidency of the Council.

The award recognizes a career defined by impact, consistency, and a strong ability to shape public policy. In this regard, the jury highlighted Sandra Ablamba Johnson’s role in coordinating government policies and overseeing cross-cutting reforms within the executive. Her work has contributed to stronger governance mechanisms, improved coordination among public administrations, and greater emphasis on the effectiveness of government action.

This recognition comes as the country continues its economic and institutional reform efforts, particularly to improve the business environment, with stated objectives of performance, accountability, and more coherent public action.

Sandra Ablamba Ahoéfavi Johnson: An Economist by Training

Sandra Ablamba Ahoéfavi Johnson is an economist by training. She holds a doctorate in economics as well as a Diploma of Specialized Higher Studies (DESS) from the University of Lomé. She also completed training in economic programming and financial policy at the International Monetary Fund Institute in Washington, and in labour economics at the International Labour Organization Academy in Turin.

She began her career in the Togolese public administration at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, before moving to the Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation. In 2012, she joined the Presidency of the Republic as a senior economist.

She later served as an advisor to the President in charge of improving the business environment. In that capacity, she coordinated reforms aimed at enhancing the country’s economic attractiveness and contributed to Togo’s improved standing in international rankings. Appointed Minister and Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic in September 2020, she has since held a central role within the executive.

In total, the 2026 edition of Togo Top Impact honored around twenty personalities and initiatives from the public sector, the private sector, and civil society. The title of Personality of the Year was awarded to Alexandre de Souza, director-general of the Togolese Center for Exhibitions and Fairs, for his leadership of CETEF. Other distinctions highlighted achievements in management, entrepreneurship, innovation, culture, and social action.

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.