Togo launches Assinyon digital marketplace to promote local products

Economic governance

Wednesday, 18 February 2026 16:05

Togo launches Assinyon digital marketplace to promote local products

(Togo First) - A new digital platform called Assinyon, meaning “quality marketplace” in English, became operational in Togo on Feb. 17, 2026. Designed as an online platform to showcase local products, the initiative was launched by the ministry in charge of Trade and Quality Control.

Presented as an innovative solution to help organize and regulate online commerce in Togo, Assinyon aims to increase visibility for Togolese entrepreneurs and provide them with a platform to promote their products. The initiative ultimately seeks to support the development of e-commerce in the domestic market.

Designed to operate independently, the platform features an automated publishing system. “When an entrepreneur publishes a product, it is first validated by the ministry. Once validation is obtained, the product is automatically shared on the pages and social media networks dedicated to the platform,” said developer Eastman Lokossa.

More than just an administrative step, this mechanism acts as a seal of approval for consumers. “The products featured will not only meet quality standards, since they will be validated by the ministry’s control services, but the visuals will also be optimized to better meet market standards,” he said.

The system enables products to be promoted online without requiring entrepreneurs to navigate complex social media algorithms. The quality and presentation standards aim to enhance the professional image of local micro, small and medium enterprises and strengthen their competitiveness against major international e-commerce platforms.

For Mensah Koffi Vinyo, chief of staff at the ministry, the initiative addresses the visibility challenges many micro, small and medium enterprises face. The platform seeks to close the gap in access to digital markets and facilitate connections between producers and consumers.

The Assinyon digital platform is the result of a joint initiative by the ministry in charge of Trade and Quality Control and the United Nations Development Programme, through the Project to Support Entrepreneurship and Development of Opportunities in Value Chains. The partnership is part of broader efforts to support local entrepreneurship and strengthen value chains in Togo.

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.