Banque de France report on Franc Zone's economies : WAEMU more dynamic than CEMAC

Economic governance

Wednesday, 10 October 2018 15:54

Banque de France report on Franc Zone's economies : WAEMU more dynamic than CEMAC

(Togo First) - In 2017, real GDP growth in Franc Zone stood at 3.9%, as compared to 3.6% in 2016. This was disclosed in a report released by Banque de France last Monday. According to the report, the increase should be sustained this year.

Last year, growth of economic activity in the Franc Zone was higher than in sub-Saharan Africa. However, France’s central bank indicates, there remain “major gaps between countries”.

Hence, economic activity in the WAEMU, spurred by growth in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, kept rising at a sustained pace of 6.7% whereas in the CEMAC, this figure stagnated, due to lower oil prices at mid-2014 and the beginning of 2016.

Meanwhile, far from inflationary shocks, countries that belong to the Franc Zone, benefiting from being pegged to the Euro, recorded in 2017, with favorable perspectives, inflation rates (+0.8% average per year) that are extremely lower than that of the sub-Saharan African region (+11%).

The apex bank’s report also notes a rise of public debt which could in the long run, cut leeway of the concerned nation’s budget policy. In addition, Banque de France recommended the diversification of exports which are still, in its opinion, too insufficient to foster economic development.

Beside France, the Franc Zone covers WAEMU nations, those of the CEMAC and the Union of the Comoros.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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.