Togo logs 165,000 citizenship certificate applications since digitisation

Public services

Wednesday, 01 April 2026 14:40

Togo logs 165,000 citizenship certificate applications since digitisation

(Togo First) - Togo's Justice Ministry has registered 165,657 citizenship certificate applications since the process was digitized in December 2024. The figures were presented Tuesday in Lomé as part of the government's broader push to modernize public services.

Of that total, 127,791 applications, or 77%, have already been processed, suggesting gradual adoption of the platform by users.

The system, available via the Service-Public platform, allows applicants to submit requests online and track their progress remotely, with the aim of cutting processing times and reducing the need for in-person visits.

"The aim is to improve service quality, cut processing times, reduce congestion in administrative offices and allow applicants to track their files, thereby improving efficiency," said Kobauyah Tchamdja Kpatcha, director of the Seal, Citizenship and Civil Identity department.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Around 17,311 applications require corrections, while several thousand others remain pending or unanswered. These delays are partly due to technical issues, including uneven internet connectivity across the country.

The use of intermediaries has also created challenges. In some cases, applicants do not receive notifications, slowing the process.

"The first difficulty is access to internet connectivity," said Ben Boko, the Justice Ministry's IT manager, adding that efforts are under way to improve the system.

In the near term, authorities plan to increase public awareness efforts and introduce new tools, including a digital archiving system, to improve data management and streamline procedures.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

REFORMS OVERVIEW

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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)

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CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

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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.