African Solidarity Fund Partners With Denmark to Finance Sustainable Development Projects

Economic governance

Tuesday, 16 September 2025 15:04

African Solidarity Fund Partners With Denmark to Finance Sustainable Development Projects

(Togo First) - • African Solidarity Fund and Danish Export Investment Fund sign framework agreement to co-finance sustainable development projects across Africa

• Partnership targets renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, water management, and health projects in 23 ASF member countries, including Togo

• Agreement creates "win-win" structure with Danish expertise meeting African needs while mobilizing international capital for climate challenges

The African Solidarity Fund and the Danish Export and Investment Fund signed a framework agreement in Lomé on September 15, marking a significant step toward financing sustainable development across Africa. The partnership aims to identify and co-finance projects in key sectors, including renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, resilient agriculture, water management, health, and social enterprises.

Abdourahmane Diallo, Managing Director of the ASF representing 23 member countries, including Togo, signed the protocol with Werner Grub, Managing Director of EIFO. For host nation Togo, the agreement demonstrates its commitment to innovative partnerships supporting structural transformation.

"This opens up tremendous opportunities for our member states," said Stéphane Akaya Tchasso Kpowbie, Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, representing his minister at the ceremony.

The alliance will prioritize Danish companies for identified projects while mobilizing direct financing backed by ASF guarantees and EIFO counter-guarantees. The structure aims to rapidly develop pilot operations demonstrating the scheme's impact.

Diallo described the agreement as "a major milestone" in diversifying financial options for ASF member states. Grub highlighted the partnership's mutual benefits, noting how "Danish expertise can address African development priorities" through sustainable innovation.

Technical teams will begin assessing initial projects in the coming weeks as international capital mobilization becomes crucial for addressing the continent's climate and economic challenges.

The ASF, established in 1976 as a multilateral financial institution, focuses on guaranteeing and facilitating financing access to support sustainable economic development across Africa.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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.