Togo: University of Lomé Inaugurates New Innovation and Technology Department

Economic governance

Monday, 03 March 2025 16:49

Togo: University of Lomé Inaugurates New Innovation and Technology Department

The University of Lomé has a new department dedicated to innovation and technology: UniPod-Togo. The facility, spanning 1,200 m2, was inaugurated on February 28, 2025, by the Minister for Higher Education and Research, Kanka-Malik Natchaba, and UNDP Resident Representative in Togo, Binta Sanneh.

The UNDP’s Timbuktoo initiative funded UniPod-Togo with over CFA1 billion ($1.6 million). This is the 14th facility of its kind in Africa. It includes eight laboratories, three dedicated spaces, an amphitheater, and a technology transfer office.

M. Osinbajo a pu constater l’effectivité de la fin des travaux de construction du bâtiment ainsi que l’installation des équipements en cours. Il s’est félicité de la diversité des espaces/activités ainsi que des efforts garantissant la soutenabilité et l'opérationnalisation. pic.twitter.com/t6n9stVui0
— Pnud Togo (@PnudTogo) July 25, 2024

“In a constantly changing world, innovation remains the key to meeting global and national challenges, and Togo in particular, with its dynamic, enterprising youth, must not be left behind,” said Binta Sanneh, UNDP Resident Representative.

Minister Natchaba said the project aligns with the government’s goal to leverage higher education to drive innovation and development. He added that UniPod-Togo will stimulate entrepreneurship and support the creation of start-ups that can transform Togo’s economy.

Indeed, the facility is designed to be a nest for developing new ideas, mentoring, training networking, and a place where entrepreneurs and young people can secure financing.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

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.