(Togo First) - In Africa, Togo is one of the nations that has implemented the most reforms in 2018. This is revealed in the 2018 Mo Ibrahim Index on African Governance (IIAG) released October 29.

11th most reformist country in Africa since 2008

Just like last year where it outpaced many of the best economies in the reform category, becoming Africa’s second most reformist nation in the last 10 years, behind Ivory Coast, Togo is progressing but…

Indeed, after last years’ record, Togo is now among the 15 most reformist nations in the past decade. This fall reflects a general trend. “Over the last five years, more than half (19) of the countries that have improved their Overall Governance performance over the last decade are either losing momentum, with the rate of progress slowing, or have begun to register a recent downturn”. The West African nation improved its governance but lost momentum regarding its progress, according to the foundation of 46-year old billionaire Mo Ibrahim.

Spurred by many institutional, social and economic reforms, Togo was ranked 30th in Africa with a score of 49.1 points, a little below average (49.9 points), and has improved its overall governance by 5.2 points. It is the 11^th most reformist nation, behind Côte d’Ivoire, which has been leading this ranking for two years now (+12.7 points), Rwanda (+5.9), Kenya (+6.1), Morocco (+7.3), Zimbabwe (+10.8). 

Hundred indicators regrouped in four categories

The IIAG contains 100 indicators divided into four main categories, namely: safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity, and human development. Africa’s 54 countries are ranked based on their economic, demographic and environmental growth, political achievements, level of education and health, human rights, sustainable economic growth and finally human development. The safety category for example contains 27 indicators such as independence of the judicial process, corruption, domestic armed conflicts or social unrest.  Under the human development category, there are 26 indicators spread across health, education and social welfare. 

The category containing the most indicators is the sustainable economic opportunity with 29 indicators such as the robustness of banks, State of infrastructures, transparency of public firms and support to agriculture.

Human rights, parity and political inclusion

Under the participation and human rights group, Togo’s score rose by 5.6 points in 10 years, while average across the continent was only 2.9 points. The rise was spurred by constant efforts made by the country in regard to participation, human rights and parity. Especially, parity improved significantly (+10.3), with more efforts made to promote gender equality, establish laws to punish violence against women and to ensure workplace gender equality.

As for the human rights sub-category, it was fostered by positive achievements related to freedom of association, civil rights, as well as protection against ethnic and religious discrimination. There is also inclusion through political participation, democratic elections and civil society participation.

Significant economic achievements  

With sustainable economic opportunity, IIAG shows a considerable improvement of public management with, for example, the following indicators improving: effectiveness of the public service, tax and revenue mobilization, online public services, etc. In relation to quality and opportunity of infrastructures, Togo is 12^th in Africa, in terms of transport infrastructure and the country’s IT and digital infrastructures are experiencing a full modernization, according to the IIAG which cites WEF, EIU and UIT.   

As for policies related to the rural sector, Togo made significant progress to improve access to land, providing water to farmers, research and development with IITRA, participation of rural organizations and promotion of gender parity in rural areas.

Similarly, there is slight improvement of business climate in the country.

Security challenges

While the continent has been experiencing a downturn in the Safety and Rule of Law category since 2008 (-2.5pts), Togo seems to be faring better in this area. This is due to slight improvement of the rule of law, transparency and accountability, but also personal safety. However, national security regressed.    

Human capital

For human development, the people’s welfare improved; same goes for health and education.

Overall, in Africa, the five top-ranked countries under the IIAG are Mauritius (79.5pts), Seychelles (73.2pts), Cape Verde (71.1pts), Namibia (68.6pts) and Botswana (68.5pts).

Fiacre E. Kakpo