Togo Joins Africa-Caribbean Push for Reparations at Addis Ababa Summit

Economic governance

Wednesday, 10 September 2025 15:12

Togo Joins Africa-Caribbean Push for Reparations at Addis Ababa Summit

(Togo First) - KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• Reparations leadership as Togo spearheads AU classification of slavery and colonization as crimes against humanity
• Economic diversification targets Caribbean trade expansion, renewable energy investment, and enhanced global profile
• South-South cooperation leverages shared African diaspora history for contemporary political and economic partnerships

Togo participated in the second Africa-CARICOM summit on Sunday, Sept 7, with Foreign Minister Robert Dussey representing the nation at talks focused on strengthening ties between Africa and the Caribbean Community through a shared pursuit of restorative justice.

The summit, held under the theme "Transcontinental partnership for restorative justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations," aimed to deepen political, economic, and cultural connections between the two regions.

Speaking at the event on behalf of Council President Faure Gnassingbé, Dussey highlighted the African Union's landmark classification of slavery, deportation, and colonization as crimes against humanity and genocide against African peoples. The Togolese diplomat emphasized his country's leading role in this initiative, calling it a major turning point that officially recognizes centuries of injustice.

"This decision reflects a paradigm shift, in response to the aspirations of the African and Caribbean peoples," Dussey declared, underscoring its restorative and historic significance for both regions.

Beyond reparations, discussions encompassed security, peace, trade, climate change, education, and health issues, with particular attention to the African diaspora in the Caribbean. For Togo, the summit represents more than symbolic solidarity—the nation seeks to expand trade with dynamic island economies, attract investment in strategic sectors including agro-industry and renewable energy, and enhance its profile as a committed player in pan-African and international forums.

CARICOM, established in 1973, comprises 15 member states forming a market actively seeking new growth drivers. For Lomé, this partnership offers an opportunity to diversify external relationships amid intensifying geopolitical rivalries and growing emphasis on South-South cooperation.

The summit underscores Africa's evolving diplomatic strategy, leveraging shared historical experiences to build contemporary economic and political alliances with diaspora communities worldwide.

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.