Togo Moves to Strengthen Maritime Pollution Protection Framework

Economic governance

Monday, 22 June 2026 15:27

Togo Moves to Strengthen Maritime Pollution Protection Framework

(Togo First) - Togo's senate on June 18 approved two bills authorizing the country's accession to the OPRC-HNS 2000 Protocol on preparedness and response to pollution incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances, and to the 1992 International Convention establishing the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC Fund).

According to public authorities, the move aims to strengthen the national framework for preventing marine pollution. The OPRC-HNS 2000 Protocol expands the scope of protection beyond oil pollution to include chemicals and other hazardous substances transported by sea.

The agreement establishes preparedness mechanisms, emergency response plans and international cooperation arrangements in the event of a major incident. It will also enable Togo to gain greater access to technical assistance provided by member states and specialized organizations.

A financial protection mechanism

Accession to the IOPC Fund addresses another concern: the economic cost of maritime accidents. The international mechanism provides additional compensation when existing liability regimes are insufficient to cover damage affecting communities, businesses and the environment.

For Edem Kokou Tengué, Minister Delegate for the Maritime Economy, accession will help Togo avoid shouldering the financial consequences of a major environmental disaster alone. The mechanism is also intended to protect economic activities that depend on the coastline, including fishing, port trade and logistics services.

The measures come as port and maritime activities continue to expand in Togo. The Port of Lomé, ranked by several recent regional assessments as West Africa's leading container port, has handled more than 30 million tonnes of cargo in recent years and is receiving growing traffic from vessels carrying oil, chemicals and other goods.

In recent years, Togo has also increased investment in port infrastructure, the digitalization of maritime operations and maritime security. In this context, the modernization of the regulatory framework is expected to strengthen the attractiveness of the Port of Lomé and support the country's growing role as a regional logistics hub. The two bills approved by the Senate have been forwarded to the National Assembly for final adoption.

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.