Lomé hosts ECOWAS dialogue on free movement and cross-border trade

Economic governance

Friday, 29 May 2026 14:37

Lomé hosts ECOWAS dialogue on free movement and cross-border trade

(Togo First) - Togo's capital has been hosting a two-day technical workshop since Thursday, May 28, bringing together key stakeholders involved in cross-border activities across West Africa.

The workshop brings together transport operators, freight forwarders, women engaged in cross-border trade and border officials to strengthen participants' understanding of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and promote transparent and fair trade practices at border crossings.

Jointly organized by the Reflection and Action Group on Women, Democracy and Development (GF2D-CRIFF), the ECOWAS Commission and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the workshop seeks to address the persistent gap between regional regulatory frameworks and the realities faced by people engaged in cross-border trade.

"The daily reality at border crossings often falls far short of this ideal," said Ginette Bayi Adekambi, Executive Director of GF2D-CRIFF. "Administrative red tape, multiple checkpoints, harassment, extortion and a widespread lack of awareness of individual rights continue to weigh heavily on those who sustain our local economies day in and day out."

Over the course of two days, participants are expected to deepen their understanding of ECOWAS regulations while discussing the challenges encountered at border crossings and identifying reforms that could be considered by policymakers.

On the sidelines of the forum, a study commissioned by GF2D and the IOM and conducted by independent consultants was presented, providing an assessment of migration dynamics at three key border crossings: Cinkassé on the Burkina Faso border, Sanvee Condji on the Benin border, and Aflao on the Ghana border.

Octave A. Bruce

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.