Togo Makes HIV Gains but Faces Increasing Financial Pressures

Health

Tuesday, 02 December 2025 13:32

Togo Makes HIV Gains but Faces Increasing Financial Pressures

(Togo First) - As Togo marked World AIDS Day on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, authorities and their partners reported new data showing steady improvements in HIV testing, treatment and viral suppression nationwide.

Data from the National AIDS Control Council (CNLS) and UNAIDS show that nearly 98% of people living with HIV knew their status in 2024, up from 90% the year before. Treatment coverage remained stable at 92%, while 85% of monitored patients had an undetectable viral load. The figures align with the 95-95-95 strategy guiding the national response.

Gains were also reported in preventing mother-to-child transmission. In 2024, 87% of pregnant women living with HIV received antiretroviral treatment, according to UNAIDS. However, the data show that pediatric coverage remains lower and requires targeted interventions.

In comparison, 2023 recorded lower levels, with 84% of people on treatment and 76% achieving viral suppression. AIDS-related deaths have fallen from 6,600 in 2010 to 2,300 in 2023, showing the impact of ongoing efforts.

These gains come amid declining international funding. CNLS coordinator Vincent Pitche described a “turbulent period” that could undermine progress, noting that several external partners have revised their commitments and raised concerns over the sustainability of national programs.

Officials involved in the response say the priority now is to boost domestic resources and ensure service continuity to maintain progress and reduce new infections.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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.