Togo Updates PURS Program with Partners amid Increased Insecurity-induced Displacement in North

Security

Friday, 11 July 2025 16:17

Togo Updates PURS Program with Partners amid Increased Insecurity-induced Displacement in North

Togolese government, UN agencies, NGOs and technical and financial partners start revising the joint response plan by the Emergency Program for Strengthening Community Resilocation and Security (PURS).
The purpose is to redefine operational strategies in response to the worsening forced displacement in the north of the country.

The Togolese government, United Nations agencies, national and international NGOs, and technical and financial partners are updating the update the Emergency Program for Strengthening Community Resilience and Security (PURS). The partners started the revision on July 9. Clearly, they are redefining operational strategies to address the growing forced displacement in the northern part of the country.

The session also aimed to “redefine a budgeted roadmap that is coherent and oriented towards concrete results,” according to the PURS Regional Head, Berena Lotié, who opened the meeting.

Lotié noted that the updated plan will not only serve as a strategic guide but also as a tool for advocacy and fundraising to better support those affected. He added that the plan will be revised yearly, henceforth.

The update aims to better align humanitarian action with the real needs of displaced persons, refugees, and host communities. "This workshop is an opportunity to translate our shared will into coordinated actions, reinforcing the link between immediate humanitarian aid and long-term resilience," said Fanette Blanc, representing the UNHCR, one of the organizers.

Preliminary estimates report acute needs for 52 to 53% of the population living in the targeted areas, particularly in the Savanes region and some prefectures of the Plateaux and Central regions. The areas most concerned are access to water, sanitation, health, food security, and protection.

Originally designed to support the population of the Savanes region facing security threats, PURS is gradually expanding to other vulnerable regions of the country, including Kara, Central, and Plateaux.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

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.