Togo, Kyrgyzstan sign strategic cooperation agreements in Bishkek

Politics

Thursday, 30 April 2026 18:31

Togo, Kyrgyzstan sign strategic cooperation agreements in Bishkek

(Togo First) - Togo and Kyrgyzstan entered a new phase of bilateral cooperation on Wednesday, marked by the signing of several agreements during a visit to Bishkek by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé.

Eight memorandums of understanding were signed, covering diplomacy, the digital economy, culture, investment, education, health and agriculture. The accords aim to strengthen and formalise relations between Lomé and Bishkek, officials said.

The two countries also signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports, a measure intended to ease travel for officials and streamline institutional exchanges.

In the digital economy, a memorandum of understanding covers the development of information and communications technology. It includes provisions for the digital transformation of public administrations, the expansion of e-government services, improvements to cybersecurity and the deployment of modern infrastructure, including 5G networks.

A cultural cooperation agreement sets out the promotion of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, encourages artistic exchanges and supports cultural industries.

On the economic front, two investment agreements were signed to promote and protect investment. They aim to create a more attractive environment and encourage investment flows between the two countries, particularly benefiting Togo.

A memorandum of understanding on higher education aims to expand academic exchanges, student and faculty mobility, mutual recognition of academic qualifications and capacity building.

The two countries also concluded a health agreement covering cooperation in public health, epidemiology and the prevention of non-communicable diseases. It includes provisions for the sharing of expertise, training for medical personnel and the implementation of vaccination campaigns.

A final agreement focuses on agriculture. It aims to strengthen exchanges in crop production, livestock and fisheries through the sharing of expertise, the development of tailored policies and the promotion of joint projects.

With these agreements, Lomé and Bishkek are laying the foundation for broader cooperation in key sectors of economic and social development.

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.