Togo implements 68.7% of UEMOA reforms in 2025

Public Management

Tuesday, 12 May 2026 06:51

Togo implements 68.7% of UEMOA reforms in 2025

(Togo First) - Togo implemented 68.7% of reforms, policies, programs and projects adopted by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) in 2025, according to figures presented by the bloc’s Commission during the 11th annual review of UEMOA reforms held in Lomé on Monday.

This year’s review covered 145 reforms as well as three regional programs and projects. The implementation rate fell from 77.9% in 2024, a decline of 9.21 percentage points, based on an assessment conducted by the UEMOA Commission in November.

The Commission said the decline was partly due to Togo’s failure, at the time of the evaluation, to incorporate the bloc’s anti-money laundering directive into national law. The drop was particularly marked in the agriculture, culture and handicrafts sectors.

Finance and Budget Minister Georges Barcola said the weaker performance should serve as “a warning signal” requiring stronger mobilization and better coordination between national and regional stakeholders.

He also stressed the strategic importance of the sectors concerned.

“Agriculture underpins the rural economy, while culture and handicrafts are central to our identity and support value creation and employment,” he said.

Established under a supplementary act adopted by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Union on Oct. 24, 2013, the annual review is part of the bloc’s mechanism for monitoring the implementation of regional decisions. It aims to measure progress made by member states and identify ongoing challenges.

Following the evaluation, recommendations were sent to the relevant ministries to address the constraints identified in the implementation of regional policies.

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.