African Union and Togo Launch Congress to Renew Pan-African Ties

Politics

Tuesday, 09 December 2025 02:45

African Union and Togo Launch Congress to Renew Pan-African Ties

Lomé hosts the 9th Pan-African Congress co-organized by the African Union from December 8 to 12.
Delegates aim to redefine Africa's role in reforming global multilateral institutions.
President Faure Gnassingbé framed the event as a strategic "reconquest" rather than a commemoration.

The Togolese capital began hosting the 9th Pan-African Congress on Monday, December 8, 2025. Togo and the African Union (AU) co-organized this strategic meeting. President of the Council Faure Gnassingbé launched the proceedings in the presence of numerous African and Afro-descendant delegations.

The event brings together nearly 1,000 participants until Friday, December 12, 2025. The attendee list includes ministers, diplomats, academics, and civil society representatives. Leaders of the diaspora and experts from various African regions also joined the sessions.

Discussions center on the theme: "Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s role in the reform of multilateral institutions." Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey outlined the objectives of the meeting. The sessions address critical issues regarding African sovereignty. Delegates analyze the continent's evolving position in global governance structures.

[LIVE] Cérémonie d'Ouverture du 9e Congrès Panafricain https://t.co/WIYJ8rZfZ2
— Diplomatie Togolaise (@DiplomatieTogo) December 8, 2025

President of the Council Gnassingbé called for a collective awakening during his opening address. He highlighted the historical challenges facing the continent. "For centuries, our peoples were dispersed, silenced, orphans of their own voice in the concert of nations," Gnassingbé stated. He urged delegates to view the 9th Pan-African Congress as a forward-looking initiative. "It is not a commemoration. It is a reaffirmation. It is a reconquest. It is a turning point," he declared.

Lomé positions this continental meeting within a dynamic of reconstruction. The organizers seek a closer rapprochement between African populations and Afro-descendants. The initiative targets a renewed Pan-Africanism adapted to meet contemporary challenges.

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.