Togo First
Tony Elumelu Foundation Sets May 5th as Deadline to Apply to Women Entrepreneurship for Africa Program
Tony Elumelu Foundation: Togolese women entrepreneurs have until May 5 to apply to the Women Entrepreneurship for Africa Program
In Togo, young women entrepreneurs and those with business projects have until May 5th to apply for the Women Entrepreneurship for Africa program, supported by the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF).
This opportunity was introduced during an awareness session on April 24th by Full Success Africa Solutions (FSA-solutions). The program offers $5,000 grants to 1,000 African women entrepreneurs focusing on green projects.
The program, now in its second edition and open to all African countries, aims to boost the entrepreneurial skills of African women in the green sector by facilitating access to funding, market opportunities, and technical knowledge and training. Alphonse Logo, FSA-solutions manager, stressed that this program is inclusive and encouraged women with green projects to apply confidently.
Interested applicants can find application details on the TEFconnect.net platform, with required documents including identification, business registration certificate, official proof of business ownership, official proof of administrator existence, and official partner consent. The Tony Elumelu Foundation, based in Nigeria, has been supporting entrepreneurship in Africa for over 14 years by offering financial assistance and training to African entrepreneurs, including those from Togo.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
BRVM and GGGI Partner to Boost Green Finance in UEMOA Countries
The Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) recently signed a memorandum of understanding to boost collaboration in promoting green finance across the eight UEMOA countries, including Togo. The signing ceremony, held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, was presided over by Ivorian Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecological Transition, Jacques Konan ASSAHORE.
This agreement aims to facilitate the issuance of green, social, and sustainable bonds (ESG) and enhance the capacities of stakeholders in the regional financial market. Dr. Edoh Kossi Amenounve, CEO of the BRVM, highlighted that this initiative aligns with a broader strategy to encourage the use of financial instruments conducive to sustainable development in the UEMOA region. "In the face of sustainable development challenges, the BRVM has defined a strategy to encourage using appropriate financial instruments in the UEMOA. Its implementation has already resulted in the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in 2022, as it is one of the global leaders in this field,"Amenounve said
The partnership involves tailored awareness and training programs for financial institutions, investors, market participants, and potential issuers to integrate sustainable financing practices and promote sustainable and green bond issuance. Dr. Kyung Nam Shin, Deputy Director General of the GGGI, stressed the significance of sustainability, innovation, and collaboration in driving positive change.
Togo officially joined the Global Green Growth Institute in November 2023.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
CCI-Togo Kicks Off Candidate Applications for Upcoming Consular Elections
The Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-Togo) is gearing up for new leadership. The Consular Electoral Commission (CEC) announced that candidate applications will open on May 2nd for 10 days. This follows the recent publication of the definitive voter lists.
This candidate submission phase marks a crucial step in a process started months ago to renew the CCI-T's governing bodies. The consular elections are part of a broader restructuring of the chamber, overseen by the executive, particularly the Ministry of Commerce.
According to sources, this initiative is expected to establish a more inclusive CCI-Togo, fostering representation from various commerce and industry stakeholders.
The CCI-Togo is led by a special delegation chaired by Nathalie Bitho. The delegation was set up after suspending the 2020 electoral process amid a dispute with certain economic operators. At the time, the CCI-Togo was led by Germain Mèba.
Esaïe Edoh
UOMA Securtities Market: Togo Records New Success
Togo raised CFA32.9 billion on the Umoa securities market on April 26, 2024. The country raised the amount through a simultaneous issuance of Treasury Bonds (OAT) and Treasury Bills (BAT). Lomé’s target for the operation was CFA30 billion.
According to the operation report, Togo collected CFA21 billion from the BATs issued with maturities of 364 days and multiple interest rates. The remaining CFA11.9 billion came from the OATs, which carry an annual interest rate of 6.15%, with a maturity of 3 years.
These funds were raised from 20 investors who bid CFA48 billion, representing a 160.26% coverage rate of the operation. Most of the proceeds - CFA25 billion - came from Togo and Ivory Coast.
Esaïe Edoh
Djobo-Babakane Coulibaley Sworn in as Head of Togo's Constitutional Court
Djobo-Babakane Coulibaley officially took over as head of the Constitutional Court on Sunday, April 28, following his appointment by presidential decree. The handover, overseen by Minister of Human Rights Pacôme Adjourouvi, marks a significant step in the country's institutional continuity.
The seat was occupied by Kouami Amados-Djoko, who served as acting president after the passing of the previous official president, Abdou Assouma.
"As I assume my duties, I realize the obligations and responsibilities because, by nature, a constitutional court is involved in the process of distribution, exercise, and transmission of political power," said Coulibaley.
Djobo-Babakane Coulibaley took over the day before the regional and legislative elections. More than 4.2 million Togolese are voting in the polls.
With nine members appointed for a non-renewable six-year term, the Constitutional Court plays a crucial role in the electoral process. It ensures the regularity of voting operations, handling any electoral appeals, and definitively validating the results. These responsibilities are essential to ensure elected officials' legitimacy and procedures' conformity with the current legal framework.
Djobo-Babakane Coulibaley assumes his new role at the helm of the Constitutional Court amid high expectations, as the new constitution adopted by the deputies awaits promulgation by the Head of State.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
Togo Closes Land Borders Amidst Regional and Legislative Polls
Togo’s land borders are closed today. The country holds its legislative and regional elections.
The Minister of Territorial Administration, Hodabalo Awaté, and Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Calixte Madjoulba announced the decision. The closure is to ensure security and a smooth electoral process.
In a joint statement, the officials urge border users and the public to cooperate for a peaceful election of deputies and regional councilors. The borders will reopen on April 30, starting from midnight.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Holds Regional and Legislative Elections Today
Togo holds today its regional and legislative elections. Over 4.2 million people are voting to appoint 113 deputies (out of 2,352 candidates) and 179 regional councilors.
The campaign took place from April 13 to 27. It was peaceful, despite various security concerns, in the North especially.
The government financially supported involved political parties with FCFA650 million, showing its commitment to a transparent and fair electoral process.
12,000 gendarmes and police officers have been mobilized as part of the 2024 Legislative and Regional Elections Security Force (FOSELR 2024). The country's land borders will also be closed until the elections this night end at 11:59 PM.
Observation missions from ECOWAS, the OIF, the African Union, and civil society actors, are on the ground to monitor the voting and counting process and ensure transparency.
Preliminary results of this historic election are expected to be announced during the week.
Cooperation: Togolese Top Officials meet with Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
A meeting occurred on Wednesday, April 24, between the Togolese government and a delegation from the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), led by its Vice President. The primary aim was to explore cooperation opportunities between Togo and the Commonwealth.
Guided by Togolese Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe, the session facilitated idea exchange and strategy development, focusing on investment prospects in vital sectors like health, energy, tourism, sanitation, and digital. The potential organization of an investment forum in the future was also discussed.
"We received a delegation from the Commonwealth today. We discussed Togo's investment opportunities in health, energy, tourism, sanitation, and digital. And we also explored the possibility of holding an investment forum in the future with the Commonwealth," said Manuella Santos, Togo's Minister of Investment Promotion, on the sidelines of the discussions. "These exchanges were really satisfactory," she added.
Lord Swire, Vice President of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, echoed the sentiment, describing the initial meeting with the Togolese executive as productive.
The CWEIC, a non-profit organization endorsed by Commonwealth heads of government, is tasked with promoting trade and investment among the 56 member nations. With around 140 strategic partners from business and government sectors across 35 countries and territories, including major banks, the CWEIC network aims to facilitate economic collaboration within the Commonwealth.
Togo officially joined the Commonwealth, a group historically comprising former British colonies, in June 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: Government Launches Energy Training Program Targeting 500 Young Men and Women
Togo's government seeks to train 500 young people and women in energy-related professions under the Tutudo program. Steered by the Ministry of Energy, the program focuses on public lighting and solar solutions. The total cost of the project is CFA2 billion.
Tutudo targets individuals aged 18 to 35, with priority given to women. The 6-month program includes one week of theory per month and three weeks of practical training, divided into 4 groups of 125 youths, with 85% being women.
According to the Minister of Energy, Mila Aziable, the initiative aims to enhance the employability of young people and women by imparting technological skills and fostering innovation in LED lighting. Registrations are open on a dedicated platform.
To enroll in the program, visit this platform.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo to Launch Malaria Chemoprevention Campaign in Plateaux Region in 2024
In 2024, Togo will launch a chemoprevention campaign against malaria in the Plateaux region, as part of the Ministry of Health's fight against the disease.
The news was disclosed today (World Malaria Day) by Dr. Obou Tina ATCHA, Coordinator of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP). "This year 2024, we will go down to the Plateaux region. We will visit every household," said ATCHA, in an interview with Radia Lomé.
The region was chosen after campaigns in the northern areas of the country. "The WHO recommended seasonal malaria chemoprevention. We started in the Savanes region, then moved down to the Centrale, then Kara," the executive explained. The campaign targets children aged 3 to 59 months. "We identify and systematically treat them, giving them a medicine that remains in their blood for a month to prevent malaria," he added.
It is worth noting that these annual chemoprevention campaigns were launched last year in July.
Togo recorded nearly 2.5 million cases of malaria in 2022. That year, one-third of the infected were children.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi