Covid-19: A situational analysis of the region and the world

Health

Monday, 29 June 2020 13:09

Covid-19: A situational analysis of the region and the world

(Togo First) - Five out of the 224 people who tested for Covid-19 last Thursday came back positive. Thus, the number of confirmed cases in Togo now stands at 588. Meanwhile, 294 of the infected have been reported to have recovered (67% of infected individuals), 14 have died (2.3%), and 180 are still active (30%).

These figures reflect overall stability, regarding the spread of the virus, in a context where the country keeps easing restrictive measures and reopens the economy.

For example, since they reopened, only five cases were confirmed in schools. And while populations are yet to panic, authorities insist on compliance with safety measures.

A contrast, in relation to countries in the region

Compared to its neighbors, Togo fares relatively well. Benin just passed 1,000 cases and Ghana for its part is the second most affected in West Africa with more than 15,000 cases, right behind Nigeria which has confirmed more than 20,000 cases.

In Burkina Faso however, things are getting better. The country has reported 941 cases and its infection curve has flattened in recent weeks. In Senegal (+6,000 cases) schools reopened last Thursday.

The pandemic expands rapidly in Africa, but not equally

Across the continent, more than 340,000 cases have been confirmed, and about 8,000 people died. The most affected nations are South Africa (118,375 cases), Egypt (around 61,000 cases), Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon, and Morocco.

No second wave, rather a continuation of the first

Worldwide, the number of cases seems to be on the rise, driven mainly by many infected in the U.S, India, and South America (Brazil especially).

In the first - the U.S - the rebound is quite spectacular; following the easing of restrictive measures and the recent “Black Lives Matter” protests.

Besides these countries, most other affected nations record not a second wave, but rather a continuation of the first wave.

With the exception of Asia...

The second wave concerns part of the Far East, mainly China (which is very concerned and even decided to lockdown some parts of Beijing and suspend many flights). There is South Korea as well which recorded a second wave of contagion around Seoul in particular.

According to experts, this is mostly due to populations complying with safety measures less strictly.

So far, a total of 9.75 million Covid-19 cases are reported in the world. This is against about 5.3 million recoveries, and about 492,000 deaths.

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.