AfDB assesses its 2016-2020 country strategy paper for Togo two years after its launch

Economic governance

Wednesday, 26 September 2018 11:45

AfDB assesses its 2016-2020 country strategy paper for Togo two years after its launch

(Togo First) - On September 25, the African Development Bank (AfDB) held in Lomé a dialogue focusing on the 2018-2022 Country Strategy Paper (CSP) and to assess the performance of the bank’s portfolio in Togo.

Approved in October 2016 for a five-year period, the bank’s strategy in Togo revolved around two pillars which are: developing agro-industrial inclusive and competitive growth poles and supporting financial, sectoral and local governance.

“The major goal of this strategy is to help Togo improve living conditions of its populations in rural areas, via an integrated development of agricultural poles and by improving access to power,” said Kahdidia Diabi, Country Representative of AfDB.

In this framework, during the first two years of this strategy’s implementation, it focused on various axes. Regarding economic development, AfDB financed the Agropole project and another to rehabilitate roads and preserve coasts. Both aimed to improve regional integration and climate resilience of infrastructures and populations of coastal areas.

In the social sector, the institution was engaged in five major projects focusing on youth insertion, employment, inclusion of vulnerable women, training integration (CERFER), constructing markets (Lomé and Kara) and toilets in Sokodé.

These projects brought AfDB’s commitments in the country to about CF190 billion, 55.3% of which have already been disbursed. The transport sector captured 70% of these commitments.

Lauding the integrated vision of the new national development plan, Kahdidia Diabi urged Togolese authorities to increase their efforts to improve disbursements.

If the African Development Bank plans to increase its support to the Togolese economy in the next two years, it will condition this support to progress made in implementing projects to which it is associated.

Among these projects is the CIZO. Olivier Manlan, the bank’s country economist for Togo, AfDB will increase its interventions through counseling support for the implementation of the CSP and other projects, in line with the PND.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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.