Telecom: WAEMU Experts Meet to Discuss AI, Tariffs and the Sector’s Future in Lomé

Telecom

Tuesday, 01 August 2023 16:06

Telecom: WAEMU Experts Meet to Discuss AI, Tariffs and the Sector’s Future in Lomé

(Togo First) - Lomé hosted last week the 14th meeting of the Committee of National Telecommunications Regulators from WAEMU Member States (CRTEL). The event gathered experts from the eight countries to discuss the major challenges facing the sector.

Three topics dominated the talks: how to further reduce regional communication rates, ensure better quality of service, and incorporate the advancements of artificial intelligence in regulation.

According to Togo’s telecom watchdog, the ARCEP, over the past two years, communication tariffs have been reduced in Togo. Reportedly, mobile and fixed internet rates fell respectively by 67% and 64%, on average.

Nevertheless, the quality of service remains a critical issue. In this regard, regulations at various levels seem to be banking on technology. This is the case for ARCEP-Togo, which started using digital tools like "MyPerf by ARCEP" and supervision platforms that integrate AI.

While AI use in telecommunications is still in its infancy in West Africa, the recent meeting in Lomé testifies to a shared desire to dive deeper into this area. However, using AI raises various concerns. Some of these include the implications of the technology, relative to regulation, data protection, and job creation, among others.

WAEMU experts, aware of the stakes, agreed on the need for close collaboration to meet these challenges. Their work is just beginning, and the decisions taken in Lomé could well shape the future of telecommunications throughout the region, according to the report of the CRTEL meeting.

One clear thing is that WAEMU aspires to a deep digital transformation, as evidenced by the Togo Digital 2025 plan and other similar plans in other Union countries. This vision needs appropriate regulation, innovation and regional cooperation to come through. So far, however, concrete steps to contribute to this goal are few.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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.