Togo Hosts First China-Africa Governance Forum Focusing on Cooperation, Research

Economic governance

Thursday, 27 November 2025 06:01

Togo Hosts First China-Africa Governance Forum Focusing on Cooperation, Research

(Togo First) - The University of Lomé hosted the first China-Africa Dialogue on Governance on Monday and Tuesday, in partnership with the Chinese Embassy. The meeting brought together around 60 participants, including a 15-member delegation of experts from several Chinese institutions, to discuss governance, development, and academic cooperation.

Talks centered on two main themes. The first was cooperation opportunities linked to the fourth session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, particularly in infrastructure, science, and technology. The second focused on the Global Governance Initiative and how it aligns with the strategic partnership between China and Togo. Participants noted areas of alignment between Beijing and Lomé on security, institutional stability, and multilateral cooperation.

Opening the event, Chinese Ambassador Wang Min highlighted the two countries’ demographic weight and the priorities of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, centered on innovation and openness.

The Togolese side emphasized the value of a dialogue that connects academic research, diplomacy, and public policy. According to Professor Gado Tchangbedji, the meeting should help define new research avenues on Sino-Togolese relations.

Sino-Togolese cooperation is underpinned by academic ties dating back to 2009, with more than 5,000 learners trained by the Confucius Institute at the University of Lomé. In 2024, the university created a dedicated unit to coordinate its partnerships with Chinese institutions. This effort is part of a diplomatic relationship established in 1972 and supported by multiple projects in education, research, and infrastructure. The China-Africa Dialogue in Lomé builds on this foundation, with the aim of creating new opportunities for scientific cooperation.

R.E.D.

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.