Taxpayer trust in focus at Lomé tax forum

Economy

Thursday, 04 June 2026 11:13

Taxpayer trust in focus at Lomé tax forum

(Togo First) - Togo’s Revenue Office (OTR) has set a revenue collection target of 1,338.9 billion CFA francs for 2026, up 10.8% from its initial 2025 projections. The ambitious goal faces a challenge that is difficult to quantify but impossible to ignore: often strained relations between the tax administration and taxpayers.

On Friday, June 5, the Afterwork d'Edem d'Almeida, a Lomé economic forum organized in partnership with the OTR at the Onomo Hotel, will tackle the issue head-on with a debate titled: "Tax: civic duty, voluntary contribution or collective disillusionment?" A previous event held in the same format in April 2026 was notable for the absence of business leaders on the panel, reflecting tensions between the private sector and the tax administration.

The figures highlight the stakes. Togo's tax-to-GDP ratio is estimated at 13.1% in 2025, well below the 20% benchmark set by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). In 2026, tax revenues are expected to account for more than 82% of state budget receipts, leaving little room for a shortfall in compliance.

It is against this backdrop that Yawa Djigbodi Tségan, a former president of the National Assembly and a tax inspector trained in Clermont-Ferrand, took over as head of the OTR in October 2025, succeeding Philippe Kokou Tchodié. By December, she had launched a formal dialogue with the private sector. Together with Finance Minister Georges Barcola, the National Employers' Council and the Association of Large Enterprises, she began laying the foundations for a more constructive relationship between businesses and the tax administration.

For regional observers, the challenge facing Togo reflects a broader issue across UEMOA: without public trust and taxpayer support, efforts to broaden the tax base are unlikely to be sustainable. A tax on telecommunications companies introduced in 2025, tighter controls and the integration of new taxpayers have already helped the OTR boost collections. But technical gains are increasingly running into a question of perception: what is tax revenue used for, and what tangible benefits do citizens see in return?

"No tax system can function without public trust. When that trust erodes, administrative reforms alone cannot make up for it," said Edem d'Almeida.

The debate is far from settled. Key budget decisions ahead, including the 2027-2029 fiscal framework currently being prepared, will test whether Togo can maintain its upward revenue trajectory without undermining taxpayer support.

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.