BCEAO: Mawuli Couchoro Appointed Togo’s New Voice on Monetary Policy Committee

Finance

Monday, 30 June 2025 10:39

(Togo First) - BCEAO: Mawuli Couchoro Appointed Togo’s New Voice on Monetary Policy Committee

Togolese economist Mawuli Kodjovi Couchoro will represent Togo on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). Officials confirmed his appointment on June 27 during the National Credit Council’s (CNC) second ordinary session of the year in Lomé.

Couchoro, currently Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences (FASEG) at the University of Lomé, replaces Khoura Takpara, whose term ended in March 2025. As a CNC member, he already plays a role in national financial affairs. Now, he will help shape regional monetary decisions on behalf of Togo.

In his new position, Couchoro will make proposals that align with Togo’s priorities, including macroeconomic stability and a more attractive business climate. He will also ensure regional monetary decisions match the realities of the Togolese banking system.

The MPC is the BCEAO’s statutory body in charge of defining monetary policy within the West African Monetary Union (UMOA). It meets regularly to review the region’s economic and financial situation and decides on key interest rates and other monetary tools to keep prices stable and support sustainable growth.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

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)

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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.