West African experts meet in Lomé to advance open access to education and research

Education

Thursday, 21 May 2026 15:02

West African experts meet in Lomé to advance open access to education and research

(Togo First) - Education, digital technology and research experts met in Lomé on Tuesday for a regional meeting on Open Educational Resources (OER), Open Access and Open Data in West Africa.

The meeting, organized with UNESCO support, aims to define a regional strategy for digital education, access to knowledge and scientific cooperation.

Discussions are focusing on the digitalization of educational resources, the development of digital libraries, the sharing of scientific data and the integration of digital technologies into higher education.

Participants said the main challenge is reducing inequalities in access to education as artificial intelligence and digital transformation reshape education systems.

“Open educational resources, open access and open data are now essential strategic tools for expanding access to quality education, strengthening scientific cooperation, fostering collaborative innovation and supporting human capital development,” said Deweh Emily Gray, ECOWAS resident representative in Lomé.

Officials at the meeting also highlighted persistent challenges across the sub-region, including inadequate digital infrastructure, limited access to information and communications technology equipment and insufficient funding for university research.

“This consultation should help us share best practices and define a common vision for 2026-2030,” said Prof. Gado Tchangbedji, Togo's junior minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The meeting is expected to conclude with regional recommendations aimed at expanding access to knowledge and helping modernize West African education systems.

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.