Togo raises cement quality requirements to improve market standards

Economic governance

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 16:55

Togo raises cement quality requirements to improve market standards

(Togo First) - Togo on Monday introduced three new cement standards aimed at improving product quality in the domestic market, promoting fair competition, ensuring infrastructure safety and protecting consumers and the environment.

The standards were presented to cement producers and importers operating in the country at a meeting held in Lomé the same day. The initiative is led by the ministry in charge of investment promotion and economic sovereignty, through the Haute Autorité de la Qualité et de l’Environnement (HAUQE) and the Agence togolaise de normalisation (ATN). The move is part of broader efforts to improve construction material quality and strengthen consumer protection.

The new standards set technical requirements for the composition, performance and testing of cement sold in Togo. Authorities say they aim to ensure that products on the market comply with reliable and recognised specifications.

According to the ministry, the reform also seeks to ensure fair competition between producers and importers “while combating the circulation of products that could compromise the safety of public and private infrastructure.” It is also expected to reduce risks linked to non-compliant products, improve construction quality and enhance the safety of buildings and infrastructure.

Four companies dominate Togo’s cement market: Germany’s HeidelbergCement, through its subsidiary CimTogo; Burkina Faso’s CIL Metal, under the Cimco brand; India’s WACEM, which markets the Fortia and Diamond brands; and Nigeria’s Dangote, present with Dangote Cement.

Esaïe Edoh

REFORMS OVERVIEW

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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 .

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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.

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