Togo posts 64.3% exclusive breastfeeding rate, among West Africa’s highest

Health

Tuesday, 12 May 2026 16:57

Togo posts 64.3% exclusive breastfeeding rate, among West Africa’s highest

(Togo First) - Togo had an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 64.3%, one of the highest in West Africa, according to figures presented at a regional conference on nutrition and early childhood development in Lomé on Monday.

The figure was presented by the deputy regional director of UNICEF for West and Central Africa, representing Gilles Fagninou. The U.N. agency also said Togo reduced childhood stunting to 23.8% in 2017 from 27.5% in 2014.

“Togo today shows strong political commitment to early childhood development,” the UNICEF representative said, citing progress in vaccination, nutrition and preschool education.

The organization attributed the results to several reforms introduced in recent years, including the adoption in 2024 of a national preschool education strategy and a joint ministerial decree regulating nurseries and daycare centers.

UNICEF said the measures “show the benefits of a coordinated cross-sector approach” and make Togo “a model for the region.”

Togo’s progress was highlighted before delegations from more than 20 countries while regional challenges persist. In West and Central Africa, nearly one in three children still suffers from stunted growth, according to data presented during the conference.

For technical and financial partners, exclusive breastfeeding remains a key indicator of long-term human capital development. “Investing in nutrition and early childhood development is one of the highest-return investments a country can make for its human capital, economic growth and long-term stability,” the agency said.

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.