Lomé hosts 23-nation workshop on lead paint regulations

Health

Friday, 13 February 2026 14:40

Lomé hosts 23-nation workshop on lead paint regulations

(Togo First) - Lomé hosted a regional workshop this week bringing together representatives from 23 African countries to speed up the adoption and enforcement of lead paint regulations.

The meeting, co-organized by Togo’s Environment Ministry, the Lead Exposure Elimination Project and the United Nations Environment Programme, focused on sharing experiences on regulatory frameworks adopted by participating countries, said Mery Yaou, the ministry’s environment director. The workshop aimed to help align national regulations.

Participants are seeking to develop a common roadmap to eliminate lead from paint manufacturing by 2050 and turn political commitments into binding regional standards. This includes implementing ECOWAS standard ECOSTAND 092, which caps lead content in paint.

Togolese authorities warned about the extent of the problem. Of 27 paint samples analyzed, 30% exceeded the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 90 parts per million, while 7% contained more than 10,000 ppm, according to the ministry.

“Lead poisoning is a tragedy unfolding in our homes and schools,” said Aoufoh Koffi Dimizou, secretary general of the ministry. “The transition to lead-free paints is not a burden but an industrial opportunity that promotes innovation, competitiveness and green jobs, while protecting our communities,” the minister’s representative added.

Globally, about 815 million children are exposed to lead, with more than 1.5 million deaths each year linked to cardiovascular disease.

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.