Togo Watchdogs HAAC, IPDCP Agree on Framework to Curb Personal Data Misuse by Media

ITC

Thursday, 11 December 2025 17:01

Togo Watchdogs HAAC, IPDCP Agree on Framework to Curb Personal Data Misuse by Media

(Togo First) - Togo's High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) and the Personal Data Protection Authority (IPDCP) have signed a cooperation framework to strengthen oversight of how personal data is used in the media sector. The memorandum was signed Wednesday in Lomé.

The agreement comes amid a surge in digital content and a wider circulation of sensitive information.

The two institutions said their collaboration will focus on protecting basic rights, building professional capacity, raising public awareness and monitoring sector practices. The long-term goal is to promote compliance in the handling of images, personal accounts, identities and other private data often shared by media outlets.

According to IPDCP president Colonel Bédiani Bélei, the partnership responds to rising risks linked to data collection and dissemination in an increasingly digital environment. He noted that media organisations routinely process information that can have lasting consequences for citizens and called for strict adherence to the principles of minimisation, relevance and proportionality.

HAAC president Pitalounani Télou said the authority will integrate personal-data considerations into its regulatory work and make its digital expertise available to the partnership. HAAC will support the IPDCP in prevention, investigations and enforcement efforts related to violations.

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.