Togo Introduces Additional Safety Measures as Fire Risks Rise at Year-End

Security

Friday, 05 December 2025 10:50

Togo Introduces Additional Safety Measures as Fire Risks Rise at Year-End

(Togo First) - Togo has announced two sets of safety measures ahead of the year-end holidays to reduce the risk of accidents across the country.

Security Minister Colonel Calixte Batossie Madjoulba reiterated the ban on the import, sale and use of firecrackers and fireworks, a restriction in place since a joint ministerial order issued on February 16, 2021. The use of these products remains prohibited without exception because of the risks they pose to public safety and property.

Security forces have been instructed to increase checks, seize firecrackers and similar items, and apprehend offenders, authorities said. The operations will also cover customs and border checkpoints to prevent the smuggling of these products during the festive season.

Separately, the minister announced the activation of a national fire prevention and alert system. The measure follows a seasonal rise in fires of electrical or vegetative origin often recorded at the end of the year.

Relevant authorities report annual property damage and casualties linked to faulty electrical systems, overloaded circuits or uncontrolled bushfires. Officials recommend regular checks of electrical installations, the use of certified equipment, avoiding overloaded circuits and switching off appliances before leaving home.

For outdoor activities, the public is advised to follow the authorized timetable for controlled burning and to avoid open flames in exposed areas. Citizens are encouraged to report any fire outbreak to the emergency numbers 118, 170 or 1014.

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.