African Trade Fair: 20 Togolese SMEs Attend in Algeria

Economic governance

Wednesday, 10 September 2025 15:19

African Trade Fair: 20 Togolese SMEs Attend in Algeria

(Togo First) - KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• $44 billion investments and deals projected by fair’s conclusion
• Competitive advantage sectors include agro-industry, logistics, textiles with German-EU program support
• Continental integration builds on 2018 AfCFTA agreement offering smaller economies broader market access

Twenty (20) Togolese micro, small, and medium enterprises have been showcasing their products at the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair since September 4. This year, the fair, hosted in Algiers, Algeria, welcomed over 2,000 exhibitors and 30,000 delegates.

The event, themed "Gateway to new opportunities," represents a strategic platform for Togolese businesses to gain visibility in Africa's rapidly expanding market, where trade agreements and investments are projected to exceed $44 billion by the fair's conclusion.

Togo's participation, backed by the Ministry of Commerce, Handicrafts and Local Consumption, aims to connect national entrepreneurs with commercial networks across the continent. Most participating Togolese companies, which focus on processing and marketing local products, receive support from German Cooperation and the European Union through the ProComp program and the Alliance for Product Quality in Africa (AfPQ-AfCFTA), implemented by GIZ.

The Algiers fair, organized by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat, builds on momentum from the 2018 Kigali agreement that established the African Continental Free Trade Area—a landmark accord designed to boost intra-African commerce.

For Togo, the stakes extend beyond immediate networking and business partnerships. The nation seeks to promote products and services in sectors where it holds competitive advantages, particularly agro-industry, logistics, textiles, and handicrafts.

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.