WAEMU: AfDB grants CFA1.7 billion to improve firms’ competitiveness under AfCFTA framework

Economic governance

Friday, 17 April 2026 15:01

WAEMU: AfDB grants CFA1.7 billion to improve firms’ competitiveness under AfCFTA framework

(Togo First) - The African Development Bank (AfDB) will disburse 1.7 billion CFA francs as a grant to support private sector competitiveness across the eight countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the institution said in Abidjan.

The funding, to be provided through the African Development Fund, the bank’s concessional arm, will support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It aims to strengthen the capacity of WAEMU economies to seize production and trade opportunities at the continental level.

The project includes national consultations with AfCFTA committees to assess the progress of reforms and define an operational framework. A regional workshop is also planned to harmonize approaches across countries and improve the monitoring of commitments.

The initiative will also strengthen coordination of trade policies and facilitate market integration within the Union.

The plan includes direct support for 80 export-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises, which will receive training on trade procedures, access to finance, quality standards and the use of technology.

Priority will be given to businesses led by women and young people, in a context where these groups face limited access to markets.

The initiative is also expected to strengthen the role of the WAEMU Regional Consular Chamber (CCR UEMOA) in representing the private sector and to reinforce trade facilitation mechanisms within the Union.

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.