African Statisticians Gather in Lomé for 2030 Population Census Cycle Workshop

Public Management

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 14:16

African Statisticians Gather in Lomé for 2030 Population Census Cycle Workshop

(Togo First) - Census directors, statisticians and experts from French-speaking and Portuguese-speaking African countries are meeting in Lomé through June 17, 2026, for a workshop focused on the 2030 Population and Housing Census Cycle. Over five days, participants are examining international standards, technological innovations and best practices that will shape preparations for the next phase of the global census program.

Discussions are centered on the digitalization of data collection, the use of big data, georeferencing, personal data protection and capacity building for national statistical institutes. The objective is to help participating countries produce demographic data that are more reliable, timely and detailed, providing stronger evidence for policymaking and public planning.

At the conclusion of the meeting, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the National Institute of Statistics and Economic and Demographic Studies (INSEED), each delegation is expected to leave with updated methodological guidance and a shared understanding of the implementation requirements of the 2030 Census Cycle.

Coordinated by the United Nations, the 2030 Population and Housing Census Cycle encourages all countries to conduct at least one national census between 2025 and 2034.

The initiative follows previous census cycles carried out during the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2020s. For Togo, participation in the program has significant strategic value. Population census data provide public authorities with up-to-date information that is essential for planning infrastructure, social services and development policies.

The data also help guide investment decisions in key sectors, including education, health, water, energy and transportation. As part of this effort, the country conducted its fifth Population and Housing Census (RGPH-5) in 2022. The census strengthened the national statistical system and generated baseline data to support public policy planning and implementation, as well as the country's economic and social development strategies.

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.