Togo validated 20 EITI requirements out of 27- Komi Selom Klassou

Mining

Tuesday, 16 October 2018 17:03

Togo validated 20 EITI requirements out of 27- Komi Selom Klassou

(Togo First) - Eight years after it joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Togo made significant progress thanks to the efforts deployed. "Out of the 27 requirements of the EITI standards, Togo validated 20", Komi Selom Klassou, Togo’s prime minister, said on October 15, 2018, during the seventh ordinary meeting of national EITI supervision committee in Lome.

The results are explained by the modernization of Togo’s mining code that the country plans to harmonize with WAEMU community framework. They are also due to the instauration of the law related to mining companies’ contribution to local and regional development and the reforms initiated for operationalization of institutions in charge of the implementation of EITI.

There is also the creation of Togo revenues bureau (Office Togolais des Recettes-OTR), establishment of the HAPLUCIA, in charge of the fight against corruption and related crimes, and the elaboration of the 2019 finance law focused on a management that brings results.

Despite these good performances, Togo which was declared compliant with EITI standards in Sydney in 2013 is not planning to stop there. “A second validation is expected in November 2019 to assess the performances realized in the seven remaining others [requirements]”, Komi Selom Klassou added.

In 2017, extractive industries represented 18.5% of total exports and contributed about 3.5% to GDP and 2.5% to revenues. For the current year, these industries' contribution to the country's revenues has already been estimated at 3.5% by the end of September.

Octave A. Bruce

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.