Togo First
Togo: Government works on plan to digitise public services faster
The Togo Digital Agency (ATD) is working on a plan to speed up the digitalization of Togo’s public services. The plan was presented on April 9, 2024, during the Council of Ministers.
The document specifically aims to modernize the public administration, through innovative tech tools that will enable the administration to allow users - individuals and businesses - to fill online forms, submit documents, pay fees and schedule meetings for on-site formalities.”
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation, the initiative will make access to public services easier for the general public.
It is worth noting that some public departments are already experimenting with the tools, such as the Ministry of Trade, which took steps to dematerialize its services with the technical and operational support of the ATD.
Ayi Renaud Dossa
Togo and Sierra Leone want to cooperate in the Maritime sector
Besides financial inclusion, digitalization, and employment, Sierra Leone seeks to cooperate with Togo on maritime and logistics fronts. On Monday, April 8, David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, covered the topic with Togo’s Minister of Maritime Economy.
I am delighted to have welcomed the Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, @dsengeh, during his visit to Lomé. Our discussions focused on the need to strengthen ties between our nations, particularly in strategic sectors such as maritime transport and logistics.
— Kokou Edem TENGUE (@kokouedemTENGUE) April 8, 2024
I would like to once… pic.twitter.com/cNEF4gzJg2
Sengeh was in Lomé, Togo, to find ways to bolster the cooperation between both countries. During his meeting with Tengue, he praised Togo for being an example in terms of port management and logistics, an example that Sierra Leone wants to follow.
"We look forward to learning and applying similar strategies in Sierra Leone," Sengeh said.
In response, Minister Tengue declared: "We are delighted to explore new avenues of partnership with Sierra Leone. This is an opportunity to build on our respective strengths for the mutual benefit of our nations. "
While Togo has only one deep-water port in West Africa, Freetown is Africa's largest natural harbor.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: Legislative and regional elections will be held on April 29
Togo will hold its next legislative and regional elections on April 29, 2024.
The polls which were scheduled for an earlier date were postponed to collect the public’s opinion about the recent constitutional revision.
However, according to a decree issued in a Council of Ministers, the electoral campaign will now begin on April 13 and close on April 27. Advance voting is scheduled for April 26, 2024, for the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and the operational reserve.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: National Fund for Cultural Promotion secures CFA300 million for 647 projects
In response to a call for projects it launched last year, the Togolese Fund for Cultural Promotion (FNCPC) will soon obtain CFA300 million from the government. Local newspaper Togo Presse reported the news on April 9, quoting the Ministry of Culture.
The CFA300 million will be distributed as follows: CFA133.9 million for performing arts, for 323 projects; CFA51.9 million for film projects. CFA36.45 million for 86 visual arts projects; CFA23.15 million for 53 literature projects. Cultural Heritage and Cultural Space projects will be funded with CFA21.2 million (49 projects) and CFA14.4 million (11 projects), respectively.
It's worth noting that the average amount received by beneficiaries stands at 400,000 FCFA, under the "relaxed" grant framework, aimed at providing financial support to artists and creatives before the establishment of the new FNPC structures.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
WAEMU: Togo performs well on fiscal transition front
Togo's performance in fiscal transition within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) is commendable, aligning well with the Union’s objectives. Despite facing a complex and uncertain macroeconomic environment, overall performance in the fourth quarter of 2023 remained positive. As per the monitoring report prepared by the National Committee for Monitoring the Fiscal Transition Program (CNPTF), adherence to both the primary and secondary criteria set by the Commission signifies the effectiveness of fiscal transition in the country.
The successful fiscal transition in Togo has been facilitated by implementing measures related to domestic and gateway taxation, along with the incorporation of community directives into domestic legislation. Upon closer examination, the analysis of tax revenues reveals a predominance of indirect tax revenues over direct taxes, signalling specific challenges that need to be addressed.
Despite notable progress, certain performance indicators still fall below the thresholds set by the UEMOA for the year 2023. For instance, the tax pressure rate, currently at 14.7%, remains below the community target of 20%.
It's important to note that the fiscal transition program was initiated in 2009 by the UEMOA Commission, aiming to harmonize the establishment of a free trade zone with the optimization of national resources. The program aims to gradually shift tax pressure from gateway taxation to domestic taxation while strengthening the common market.
Togo wants to lower domestic debt to 54.6% by 2026
Togo hopes to lower its domestic debt by 7 percentage points over the next three years, bringing it to 54.6% in 2026. The ambition was disclosed in the public administration's medium-term debt management strategy.
Last year, Togo’s outstanding public debt stood at CFA3.707 trillion–mostly denominated in CFA. External debt represented 61% (CFA2.276 trillion) and domestic debt 38.61% (CFA1.431 trillion). Over the same period, the country’s debt to multilateral partners stood at CFA864.02 billion (23.3% of the total debt or 15.53% of GDP).
Over the next three years, Lomé will focus on reducing its exposure to domestic lenders. According to the recently disclosed strategy, the country will focus on “increasing external debt to further lower refinancing risk and relying on debt raised in the regional market with maturities ranging from 1 to 10 years to meet financing needs”.
Among its fundraising tools abroad, the State plans to emphasize concessional and commercial external borrowings.
Low Foreign Exchange Risks
Regarding foreign exchange risks, it should be underscored that Togo's debt, primarily denominated in CFA and euros, remains less exposed to exchange rate fluctuations than in 2022.
“The outstanding debt consists of 71.30% in CFA and 14.95% in euros, representing 86.25% non-fluctuating debt and 13.75% debt exposed to exchange rate fluctuations.” However, “the country remains vulnerable to fluctuations in major currencies such as the US dollar and the Chinese yuan,” with exposures of 5.42% for the US dollar and 3.62% for the Chinese yuan (CNY), respectively.
From 2019 to 2023, Togo's debt has increased from CFA2.197 trillion to CFA3.707 trillion, at an average growth rate of 17% per annum.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: MCC announces several procurement deals totaling $13 million
The Togolese government will, starting this month, launch a series of procurement activities over the next nine months. The procurement series falls under the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) Compact program which Togo was declared eligible for in December 2022.
The estimated value of the projected procurements is $13.6 million. As part of the initiative, the MCC plans to recruit several consultants and human resources to support its actions. This includes consultants for program administration, such as interim procurement agents, financial agents, and architects. Additionally, acquisitions of goods, including computer equipment, will be carried out for the Millennium Challenge Account.
According to credible sources, specific tenders and proposal requests will be gradually published, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The Togo Compact Program Implementation Unit forecasts that Lomé and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will seal the Compact deal before this year ends. The deal will focus on developing solutions in the energy and digital sectors.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Revised constitution: Togolese Assembly kicks off nationwide consultation tour for second reading
A nationwide tour to consult key stakeholders about the constitutional revision project kicked off today in Togo. The 3-day tour will mainly focus on traditional leaders and organized groups. Around 30 localities will be visited, according to the assembly.
Three groups of deputies are leading the tour which is dubbed the "Information and Listening Tour of the Population on the Revision of the Constitution". With the ultimate goal of enriching the new text, the 3-day tour aims to collect stakeholders' and citizens’ opinions about the new constitution of the 5th republic adopted last month. It was launched after President Faure Gnassingbé asked the Assembly to review the revised text.
It is worth noting that the newly passed law, amidst controversies, shifts the West African country to a parliamentary regime. This means abolishing direct suffrage for presidential elections and creating a position of President of the Council of Ministers who will ensure the effectiveness of the executive power. Meanwhile, the President of the Republic will be confined to a ceremonial role.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo and Sierra Leone aim for stronger cooperation in key areas like financial inclusion and digitization
Sierra Leone's Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, met in Lomé with Togo’s Prime Minister, Victoire Dogbé, on April 5, 2024. The two officials discussed their countries’ ambition to deepen cooperation in various areas, such as financial inclusion, digitization, and youth employment.
I'd an incredible meeting with the Prime Minister of Togo @DogbeVictoire today. We both share a passion for inclusion, digitization, and youth employment. Sierra Leone & Togo have a lot to learn from each other, and we will ensure we deepen our bilateral relations! #WeWillDeliver pic.twitter.com/E5tkmaawtL
— David Moinina Sengeh (@dsengeh) April 5, 2024
“We both share a passion for inclusion, digitization, and youth employment. Sierra Leone & Togo have a lot to learn from each other, and we will ensure we deepen our bilateral relations!" Sengeh posted on X after the meeting.
Last May, Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, visited his Togolese counterpart, Faure Gnassingbé. The two discussed ways to bolster trade between their countries among others.
Togo and Sierra Leone are both located in West Africa. For some years, they have been working to develop new cooperative bonds in sectors such as agriculture, energy, education, social protection, and gender equality.
Esaïe Edoh
ECOWAS to launch its Fund for Energy and Transport before year ends
The ECOWAS Development and Financing Fund for the Transport and Energy Sectors (FODETE) should come online by the end of this year. According to the Ecofin Agency, which reported the news, Sediko Douka, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, mentioned the possibility on April 4, on the sidelines of the first ECOWAS Investment Forum (EIF) in Lomé.
Approved for implementation in June 2009, the FODETE was delayed by several issues. However, recent regional tensions between 2020 and 2022 have injected new momentum into the project.
According to Sedikou Douka, the Fund will be fueled by export taxes levied in ECOWAS States: mining, oil, gas, and agricultural exports will provide the needed tax revenues. According to recent estimates, these revenues could reach $450 million yearly.
The FODETE will help improve infrastructure in the transport and energy sectors, crucial for economic growth and regional integration. It will be managed by the Lomé-based ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID). The latter has allocated $4 billion or half of its financing for 2024 to integration infrastructure projects.
However, there are still issues of the regional consensus on the tax levy and the levy rate. Still, the FODETE should significantly help tackle the ECOWAS’ growing needs for infrastructure, estimated at an annual investment deficit of $12 billion.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi