Togo Becomes First African Country to Launch Health Insurance for Informal Workers

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Sunday, 26 October 2025 17:36

Togo Becomes First African Country to Launch Health Insurance for Informal Workers

(Togo First) - Togo became the first African country to launch health insurance specifically for self-employed and informal sector workers (TNS) on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. This initiative is a key component of the country’s Universal Health Coverage (AMU) program, which was fully rolled out in January 2024.

The official enrollment of this category was launched following the commissioning of a digital platform designed by the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). This online tool allows artisans, merchants, farmers, and other actors in the informal sector to join the CNSS-AMU insured base by submitting personal information and selecting a contribution plan.

Workers can contribute under various formulas: 10,000 XOF per month, 28,500 XOF per quarter, 54,000 XOF per semester, or 102,000 XOF per year.

Once enrolled, the insured will receive their card, granting them access to the benefits provided under the AMU across the entire national territory.

"This initiative will allow every non-salaried worker, regardless of their income or sector of activity, to benefit from basic care without fear of financial ruin," said Health Minister Jean-Marie Tessi.

According to Ingrid Awadé, CNSS Director General, the extension of the AMU to informal workers "marks the fulfillment of the promise of a supportive, equitable, and sustainable social security system." She assured that her organization would ensure that no independent worker is left out.

This stage follows the recent expansion of the AMU to include widows, widowers, and orphans. The CNSS plans to progressively extend the scheme to other socio-professional categories in the coming months.

Esaïe Edoh

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.