ECOWAS ministers endorse draft legal framework to tackle maritime crime

Justice

Saturday, 02 May 2026 18:03

ECOWAS ministers endorse draft legal framework to tackle maritime crime

(Togo First) - ECOWAS is stepping up its fight against maritime crime. Justice ministers from the bloc met in the Togolese capital on Thursday to review and endorse a draft supplementary act aimed at strengthening regional cooperation against illegal activities at sea. The meeting was chaired by Togolese Justice Minister Pacôme Adjourouvi.

The 20-article text is designed to establish a shared legal framework to counter rising threats in the Gulf of Guinea. The region continues to face piracy, armed robbery at sea, illicit trafficking, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and marine pollution.

According to Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, the framework is intended to strengthen member states' ability to prosecute criminal networks operating across national borders.

The draft provides for enhanced mutual legal assistance between states, a clearer framework for extraditions, and improved sharing of information and evidence. It also seeks to facilitate coordinated prosecutions across national jurisdictions, a process often hampered by procedural differences.

For West African economies, the stakes extend beyond security. The Gulf of Guinea's ports play a central role in regional trade, energy imports and customs revenues. Maritime disruptions drive up logistics costs, raise insurance premiums and undermine commercial competitiveness.

Togo, which is banking on the development of the port platform in Lomé, has for several years backed a regional approach to the issue.

Following ministerial endorsement, the text will be submitted to the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council for consideration at the next stage.

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.