France, Togo Deepen Ties Through a Shared Push for 'Green Future'

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Monday, 13 October 2025 02:35

France, Togo Deepen Ties Through a Shared Push for 'Green Future'

(Togo First) - France has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ecological and environmental protection efforts in Togo through international volunteer programs. The pledge was announced at the 14th French Volunteering Day on Oct. 10, attended by Abdul Fahd Fofana, Togo’s Minister Delegate for Youth and Sports.

The event, held under the theme “Volontariat et éco-citoyenneté : bâtir ensemble un avenir vert (Volunteering and Eco-Citizenship: Building a Green Future Together),” stressed the role of international volunteers in raising awareness, promoting sustainable practices and strengthening social cohesion. It also underscored cooperation between France and Togo in backing practical initiatives ranging from ecosystem protection to community education and environmental action.

“France is proud to support Togo’s efforts to promote eco-citizenship and protect the environment. Through reciprocal international volunteering programs, our volunteers are committed partners who make a tangible contribution to raising community awareness and building a green future,” said French Ambassador Augustin Favereau.

In 2024, Togo hosted 2,771 International Volunteers for Exchange and Solidarity (VIES), who worked in education, the environment, health and community development — a 31 percent increase from 2023.

“This momentum shows both countries’ determination to make volunteering a genuine driver of solidarity and development benefiting local communities,” said Telngar Rassembeye, National Representative of France Volontaires Togo.

In 2023, the National Volunteering Agency (ANVT) and France Volontaires launched the Program to Revive Civic Engagement and Volunteering in Togo, aimed at mobilizing Franco-Togolese volunteers to support civil-society organizations and strengthen civic participation across municipalities.

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.