Togo climbs 24 places to enter global top 100 in press freedom

Politics

Monday, 04 May 2026 11:55

Togo climbs 24 places to enter global top 100 in press freedom

(Togo First) - Togo rose 24 places to 97th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' (RSF) 2026 World Press Freedom Index, gaining 4.53 points over the past year, according to a report released late last week.

In a year marked by a global decline in press freedom, Togo’s score increased from 48.03 in 2025 to 52.56 in 2026. The improvement moved the country from 121st place into the top 100.

Within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Togo ranked eighth. Ghana (39th globally, 72.20 points), Cape Verde (40th, 71.98 points) and Gambia (46th, 69.42 points) led the region.

Globally, Norway retained first place with 92.72 points, followed by the Netherlands (88.92) and Estonia (88.54). China (178th), North Korea (179th) and Eritrea (180th) ranked at the bottom.

Despite the improvement, RSF said challenges remain, particularly in the economic environment. It also noted that, despite a diverse media landscape, public broadcasters have yet to fully meet their public service mandate. Press freedom, it added, remains closely linked to the broader political context.

Togo has more than 230 media outlets, including nearly 100 radio stations and around 10 television channels. Press freedom is legally recognized and guaranteed. A 2020 law regulates journalism and provides access to information, subject to national security restrictions.

The report also noted that no journalist has been killed in the country while carrying out their work since the start of the year.

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.