Tunisia, Togo Expand Cooperation With Focus on Trade, Research and Digital Health

Economic governance

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 15:07

Tunisia, Togo Expand Cooperation With Focus on Trade, Research and Digital Health

(Togo First) - Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti and his Togolese counterpart, Robert Dussey, signed a memorandum of understanding in Tunis on Monday, June 15, 2026, establishing a framework for regular consultations between their foreign ministries. Dussey is on an official visit to the North African country.

The agreement is intended to further institutionalize relations between Tunisia and Togo and lay the groundwork for closer cooperation across several strategic sectors.

A key focus of the discussions was the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which both countries view as an important mechanism for boosting intra-African trade.

According to Tunisia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers emphasized the need to maximize the benefits of their participation in the AfCFTA by expanding trade in products in which both countries have strong export potential. Particular attention was given to promoting Tunisian olive oil and dates, as well as Togolese cocoa.

The talks come as several African countries seek to diversify their export markets within the continent and reduce their reliance on external trading partners.

Beyond trade, Tunisia and Togo are looking to deepen cooperation in other areas. The discussions led to the adoption of a joint work program for the 2026-2027 period.

The cooperation framework identifies several priority sectors, including digital health, higher education, and research. These fields are considered promising areas for collaboration as African countries increasingly invest in the digitalization of public services and the development of human capital.

For Togo, expanding and diversifying economic partnerships has long been a strategic priority, particularly in recent years, as the country seeks to strengthen its regional integration and economic resilience.

R.E.D

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.