Togo, AfDB Explore New Cooperation Opportunities in Research and Innovation

Education

Tuesday, 09 June 2026 15:02

Togo, AfDB Explore New Cooperation Opportunities in Research and Innovation

(Togo First) - Togo has requested African Development Bank (AfDB) support for its research and innovation policy, as the government seeks additional funding to accelerate scientific research and technological development.

The request was made late last week during a meeting between Minister-Delegate for Higher Education and Research Gado Tchangbedji and Pascal Yembiline, the AfDB's resident representative in Togo.

During the talks, the minister-delegate urged the pan-African institution to support initiatives promoting research, innovation and technological development. The move reflects the government's efforts to secure support from strategic partners to help finance scientific research.

As research commercialization and scientific innovation increasingly emerge as key drivers of economic competitiveness, AfDB support could help fund modern research infrastructure, training programs, business incubators and financing schemes for young innovators. It could also help researchers gain access to regional and international networks, fostering scientific partnerships and the exchange of expertise.

Both sides emphasized the need to strengthen funding mechanisms for research, innovation and technological development. They also highlighted the importance of mobilizing the resources needed to strengthen links between research institutions, universities and the private sector. The goal is to improve the commercialization of research findings and increase their contribution to the country's socioeconomic development, in line with Togo's ambition to transform its economy.

Togo has adopted a National Research and Innovation Policy, known by its French acronym PNRI. Through the commercialization of scientific research results, the strategy seeks to reduce the country's technological dependence, strengthen its strategic autonomy in key sectors and enhance its attractiveness to investors.

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.