Togo Launches Mobile Project to Ease ID Access

Public services

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 15:59

Togo Launches Mobile Project to Ease ID Access

(Togo First) - Togo's Directorate General of National Documentation (DGDN) officially launched the operational phase of its DGDN Mobile project on Monday, July 14, 2025. The launch event took place in Kara, northern Togo, led by Calixte Madjoulba, the Minister of Security and Civil Protection.

This initiative is part of the government's 2020-2025 roadmap, specifically under its strategic pillar focused on "Providing identity and ensuring access to basic services for all." The project aims to bring identity document services closer to remote and underserved populations across the country.

In practical terms, DGDN Mobile seeks to enable more citizens, particularly those in rural areas, to obtain official identity documents, especially the national identity card. The project also aims to reduce application processing times while simplifying user registration.

Expanding Access to Identity Services

"By 2028, the goal is to ensure that the majority of Togolese hold a national identity card, with direct access to documentation services for at least 80% of the rural population," stated Simtaya Djohéna, Director of Residence Permits, Visas, and Immigration at the DGDN.

The project follows an innovative, mobility-driven approach. Specially trained technical teams are deployed in the field to collect applicant data and efficiently process files. Officials expect this proximity strategy to significantly improve documentation coverage rates nationwide.

DGDN Mobile will roll out in two phases. The initial pilot phase will last six months, with mobile teams stationed in each of Togo's administrative regions. The second phase will involve gradual expansion into all 39 prefectures, covering all 117 municipalities through the replication of mobile units.

According to the latest available statistics from December 2022, 1,326,837 people in Togo held a national identity card, while 496,426 held a passport. The DGDN Mobile project is expected to significantly increase these figures in the coming years.

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.