A World-Backed Mini-Grid Brings Light, Livelihoods, and Reforestation to Gojémé

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Thursday, 28 August 2025 09:05

A World-Backed Mini-Grid Brings Light, Livelihoods, and Reforestation to Gojémé

(Togo First) - In the Yoto prefecture, the village of Gojémé is getting a new look. Once plagued by darkness and energy poverty, the community is now thriving thanks to a 30 kWp multi-functional solar platform.

The project, which cost over 105 million CFA Francs, was funded by the World Bank's West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA ResIP) and supported by the Ministry of Environment.

Equipped with 50 photovoltaic panels and lithium-ion batteries, the mini-power plant does more than just supply electricity to homes, public lighting, and social infrastructure. It also powers corn grinding, rice hulling, cassava grating, and cellphone charging, and it supplies the local health center. As a result, the cost of grinding corn has been cut in half, freeing up income for families.

"The multi-functional platform is a true gem for the community, which can itself testify to the satisfaction it provides," said Dr. Adou Rahim Alimi Assimiou, the WACA project coordinator in Togo.

Beyond providing energy, WACA has also funded income-generating activities. Households have received support to start small ruminant farming, agriculture, and beekeeping. "This project has changed the face of the village," said Togbé Lawè Xosé, a representative of the local community.

The project's impact extends beyond energy. The restoration of the Godjé-Godjin sacred forest has reforested 12 hectares, revitalizing degraded areas and strengthening biodiversity. In the same forest, beehives are now producing honey, and groups of women are growing vegetables, diversifying their income and reducing pressure on natural resources.

Local ownership is key to this transformation. A community committee, supported by the National Agency for Grassroots Development (ANADEB), manages and maintains the equipment. This co-management model ensures the sustainability of the investments and reflects the WACA philosophy: resilience is not imposed, it is built with the communities.

While there are still challenges to making these resources sustainable, the stakes go beyond the village. The protected Godjé-Godjin sacred forest could become a hub for ecotourism and a driver of biodiversity for the entire region.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

REFORMS OVERVIEW

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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)

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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 .

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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)

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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)

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