Government Warns Against Fake News as Municipal Elections Approach

Security

Friday, 11 July 2025 13:00

Government Warns Against Fake News as Municipal Elections Approach

Lomé warns population about fake news spread as content fueling protests spreads
The warning aims to curb reputational and security risks, in line with the government’s desire to preserve social cohesion and economic stability.

Togo will hold its next municipal elections on July 17. Ahead of the polls, the government is tightening its grip on information management and warns fake news. This comes in a context marked by the proliferation of content inciting revolt, especially during the protests of June 6, 26, 27, and 28.

At a press conference held in Lomé on Wednesday, July 9, four ministers, including those of Security, Human Rights, and Territorial Administration, warned against doctored videos and images generated by artificial intelligence circulating on social media. According to the government, these contents contribute to disinformation, with increased risks for social cohesion and economic stability.

“It is time for imaginary assessments and baseless claims to stop. These methods hinder development and divide unnecessarily," said Calixte Madjoulba, the Minister in charge of Security.

His counterpart at the Territorial Administration, Awate Hodabalo, reassured that the elections will be held under peaceful conditions.

This call for press professionalism appears as an attempt to control reputational and security risks.

National press bosses echoed these sentiments. "We have details on the context and especially on the legal aspect of these events. Citizens have the right to express their disagreement with the way the country is run, but they must do so within the framework of the law," said Germain Pouli, President of the National Council of Press Bosses (CONAPP).

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.