Togo ranks second in Africa in World Bank gender law index

Economic governance

Friday, 27 February 2026 14:15

Togo ranks second in Africa in World Bank gender law index

(Togo First) - Togo ranked second in Africa in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law report released on Feb. 24.

The country scored 79.33 out of 100, behind Mauritius at 82.30 and ahead of Côte d’Ivoire at 78.25. It ranked first within ECOWAS and UEMOA, as well as among Francophone African countries. The result places Togo ahead of several larger economies on the continent.

Tougher methodology highlights legal progress

The 2026 edition of the report covers 190 economies and applies a more demanding assessment framework. In addition to reviewing legislation, the index evaluates implementation, institutional capacity and how rights are exercised in practice.

Togo performed particularly strongly on the legal framework component.

Lomé recorded perfect scores of 100 in four areas: pay, marriage, assets and pensions. In these areas, the law treats men and women equally, including equal pay for equal work and equal rights in marriage, property ownership and retirement benefits.

The country also allows employees to request flexible working arrangements, a provision that remains uncommon across much of Africa. Togo scored above the sub-Saharan average on parental rights and women’s entrepreneurship. Reforms in employment policy and childcare, areas that have long constrained women’s labour force participation, have produced measurable gains.

On mobility, which includes a woman’s right to travel, obtain a passport and choose her residence without spousal consent, Togo received a legal score of 75. Its implementation score stood at 68.75, suggesting these rights are broadly exercised in practice. In parts of the region, spousal consent requirements remain in place.

Institutional gaps remain

The report identified areas for further progress. Togo scored 31.95 on institutional support mechanisms, pointing to weaknesses in enforcement and administrative backing. The implementation perception score was 64.54, indicating that effective application of rights remains uneven.

The Business Climate Cell said in a statement that the findings underscore the need to strengthen institutional support systems and acknowledged that legislative reform alone is insufficient. The government reiterated its commitment to consolidating recent gains and expanding women’s participation in the economy.

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.