WTO to support Togo and seven other African countries in the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area

Economic governance

Tuesday, 22 March 2022 15:01

WTO to support Togo and seven other African countries in the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area

(Togo First) - On March 10t, the World Trade Organization (WTO) launched a project to support eight African countries, including Togo, in the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Backed by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the project will support the implementation of more than 30 activities related to the continental initiative in the selected countries; namely Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia. It should help create an environment where trade can be more efficient and inclusive.

“This program illustrates the spirit of partnership that is needed to support the implementation of the AfCFTA,” said WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the launch. She wants to strengthen the capacity of beneficiaries to achieve tangible results, such as jobs and other economic opportunities.

The AfCFTA, let’s recall, aims to put in place a common framework and sets of standards across the African continent to ensure trade cooperation, harmonization, and efficiency of countries' trade relations.

Esaïe Edoh

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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.