Togo extends universal health coverage to optical care providers

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Monday, 24 November 2025 02:22

Togo extends universal health coverage to optical care providers

(Togo First) - In Togo, the agencies managing the Universal Health Insurance (AMU), the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) and the National Health Insurance Institute (INAM), signed a sector partnership agreement on Friday, November 21 in Lomé with the Association of Optical Professionals and Practitioners (APPOL).

The agreement paves the way for better coverage of visual care for insured beneficiaries by setting common standards for quality, access, and follow-up of optical services. Insured individuals will now be able to access eyeglasses and lenses adapted to their needs through harmonized procedures and a more structured support system across all AMU-accredited opticians.

“The signing of this agreement will help harmonize practices, improve the quality of optical services, and guarantee insured individuals a clearer and better-supervised care pathway. Through this agreement with APPOL, we are not just formalizing a partnership; we are opening the door to better visual health services,” said Ingrid Awadé, director general of the CNSS.

Tchin Darré, minister delegate to the Minister of Health, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to “ensuring equitable access to care, strengthening regulation, and supporting partners in implementing the agreements signed.”

Launched in 2024, the AMU aims to guarantee access to health services for the entire Togolese population, regardless of employment status. The inclusion of self-employed workers highlights the system’s inclusive scope, making Togo the first African country to offer universal coverage to all socio-professional categories.

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.