Togo, UNDP, WHO Take Stock of Health Sector Progress

Health

Saturday, 15 November 2025 17:27

Togo, UNDP, WHO Take Stock of Health Sector Progress

(Togo First) - Togo is in talks with international partners to step up support for its health sector, the health ministry said. The effort follows a series of meetings in Lomé this week with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the ELLIPSE project team.

The discussions reviewed ongoing cooperation and ways to speed up the delivery of projects, especially those involving health infrastructure.

Talks with UNDP, led by Resident Representative Binta Sanneh, covered several projects already underway, including the construction of a Digital Health Center in Lomé, the creation of a hemodialysis unit at the Kara University Hospital (CHU Kara), and the deployment of mobile clinics to expand access to care in rural areas. Minister Jean-Marie Tessi and the UN agency assessed progress on each initiative and looked at options to accelerate completion.

In a separate meeting, WHO officials discussed support for Togo’s push toward Universal Health Coverage, efforts to combat infectious diseases, and programmes aimed at improving the quality of care and strengthening community health. The agency reiterated its commitment to helping the country advance health reforms.

The minister also met the team behind the ELLIPSE project, which focuses on upgrading hospital infrastructure at the Lomé Campus University Hospital and CHU Kara through construction, rehabilitation, and the installation of new equipment. Both sides agreed to tighten project oversight and move faster to meet deadlines.

The meetings follow an earlier exchange last week with the German Embassy in Togo. The health ministry said it aims to mobilize greater international backing for national health priorities as the government seeks to expand access to quality care.

Esaïe Edoh

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.