More than 7,000 new businesses were formally established in Togo in H1 2021 (CFE)

Economic governance

Tuesday, 06 July 2021 16:02

More than 7,000 new businesses were formally established in Togo in H1 2021 (CFE)

(Togo First) - A total of 7,311 new businesses were registered in Togo during the first half of this year. The figure was released on July 2 by the Business Formality Center (CFE). This is up by 21% compared to the number recorded in H1 2020.

In detail, 60.83% of the businesses registered (4,447) were owned by natural persons, while the remaining 39.17% or 2,864 were held by legal persons.

The data also reveals that 5,375 of these businesses were launched by men, against 1,936 by women. A majority of the businesses, 82.2% exactly, were owned by Togolese, and the remaining 17.18% by foreigners.

It’s worth noting that last month alone 1,184 businesses were registered at the CFE - 732 by natural persons and 452 by legal persons.

Number of businesses registered in Togo from January to June 2021 / Source: CFE

According to Togolese authorities, the increase recorded is attributable to several reforms introduced by the government in recent years to improve the country’s business climate. These include reducing the time needed to register a business, canceling the fees previously demanded to publish legal notices, and dematerializing registration procedures.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic that hit Togo in 2020, and the resulting health crisis, 12,529 businesses were formally established; that is 9% more than in 2019 where 11,482 businesses were registered.

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.