Togo, Russia Eye Partnerships in Food, Mining and Energy Sectors

Economic governance

Monday, 23 March 2026 15:13

Togo, Russia Eye Partnerships in Food, Mining and Energy Sectors

(Togo First) - Togo and Russia are exploring new business opportunities for entrepreneurs from both countries and seeking to boost trade between Moscow and Lomé. The initiative was discussed last week in Lomé during a meeting between José Syménouh, president of the Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-Togo), and Maksim Petrov, Russia’s trade representative.

Three priority sectors have been identified for future partnerships: food security, mining and the energy sector. Both sides said they aim to move beyond basic trade toward the creation of joint industrial ventures that would generate local jobs and added value.

To that end, the two parties plan to set up a permanent cooperation framework between Russian and Togolese businesses. The mechanism is intended to help companies identify reliable partners, define joint project terms and deepen bilateral economic integration.

CCI-Togo intends to play a central role in strengthening ties between entrepreneurs from both countries, facilitating contacts and structuring dialogue between Russian investors and local project developers.

The initiative is expected to strengthen cooperation between Lomé and Moscow, after both countries signaled in November 2025 their intention to open embassies. That move is expected to improve coordination and expand bilateral projects, particularly in sectors linked to human capital development.

Esaïe Edoh

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.