In Togo, the Union of Regional Chambers of Trade (UCRM) and the Confederation of Junior Enterprises (CJET) will help young craftsmen structure and formalize their business. The two institutions signed a partnership agreement to this end on May 15, 2025.

The deal, spanning five years, will help beneficiaries hone their management skills, secure loans and access markets with more ease. The UCRM and CJET also wants to help young Togolese craftsmen more visible across in both the public and private sectors.

Issa Mouhamed, President of UCRM, considers the deal as “more than a partnership”.  “It is a commitment,” he declared, emphasizing the talent of Togolese craftsmen and the importance of economic recognition.

“This partnership is a concrete response to the need to structure young craft enterprises,” said CJET boss, Médissa Sama, stressing that the move will help artisans “make a living from their craft” and comply with regional and international standards, facilitating smoother relations with government and social security bodies.

The CJET recently inked a similar agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-Togo), also focused on youth entrepreneurship.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

On May 15, Togolese mesofinance group Cofina introduced a new savings product, CofiPrivilège. The product targets high-potential managers, executives, and entrepreneurs.

CofiPrivilège offers secure asset management with tailored services for an upscale clientele. Features include fast money transfers within Cofina’s operating countries, international prepaid cards, and banking services designed for mobile professionals. Additional benefits include premium concierge services, enhanced medical advice and insurance, and customized financing options.

"This is a unique product, designed to meet the specific needs of modern entrepreneurs," said Pascal Kové, head of Cofina Togo. Kové took over the group’s subsidiary last March.

Cofina currently operates in nine countries. Its Togolese branch, active since 2020, holds outstanding loans exceeding CFA30 billion and has over 200 employees. Cofina plans to broaden its financial services and continue expanding in the country.

This article was initially published in French by Octave A. Bruce

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Togo plans to raise CFA20 billion on the West African Monetary Union (WAMU) public securities market on May 23. The country’s Treasury has launched a simultaneous issue of fungible treasury bills (BATs) and fungible treasury bonds (OAT) to meet this goal.

In detail, the Treasury will seek CFA7 billion through bonds maturing in 182 days. These bonds carry a nominal value of FCFA1 million and offer multiple interest rates. The remaining CFA13 billion will come from three-year bonds with a nominal value of FCFA 10,000 and a fixed interest rate of 6.25%.

Togo will use the funds to finance its 2025 national budget, which totals CFA2,397 billion in revenue and expenditure.

Since January, Lomé has raised CFA187.5 billion on the regional market, inching to its annual target of CFA332 billion.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo) held an open day this Friday, May 16. The event took place simultaneously in Lomé and other economic regions across the country. Through it, the CCI-Togo sought to raise awareness about its missions, services, and projects among business operators, young entrepreneurs, and the general public.

The day featured several activities: information workshops, exhibitions, and networking sessions. The goal was to promote exchanges, build partnerships, and boost entrepreneurship across all regions.

At the launch, José Kwassi Symenouh, President of CCI-Togo, declared: “Following the observation of a need for information and dialogue between the Chamber and economic operators, this day bears witness to our constant desire to listen to the players in the sector, to better respond to their expectations and to strengthen our role as a local partner in the development of the private sector.”

Feou Luciano, Director General of Private Sector Development and representative of the Minister of Trade, emphasized the event’s importance, saying: “This activity not only brings the Chamber closer to economic operators, but also promotes a better understanding of its missions, to strengthen trust and collaboration between public and private players.”

Founded in 1921, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry plays a key role in supporting Togo’s private sector. It acts as a bridge between the government and business operators. The Chamber promotes entrepreneurship, supports local initiatives, and fosters lasting partnerships.

The Togolese Exhibition and Trade Fair Centre (CETEF) will host the first Health and Wellbeing Exhibition from July 2 to 8 in Lomé. The event will focus on the theme “Prevention and well-being: investing in a healthier future.”  The CETEF aims to connect citizens with the latest medical innovations and promote fair access to healthcare.

Alexandre de Souza, the CETEF’s Managing Director, said, “Through this initiative, the CETEF is reaffirming its vocation to be much more than an exhibition space, a place where solutions are born. A heart that beats to the rhythm of great causes. A lever at the service of the common good.”

The week-long event will feature conferences, exhibitions, free medical consultations, and telemedicine training. It will target both healthcare professionals and the public.

Togo-Israel Trade Talks Set to Run Alongside the Exhibition

Alongside the exhibition, the CETEF will organize a “Togo-Israel Trade Talks” forum on digital health. This forum will highlight cooperation between Togo and Israel, a country known for medical innovation and technology. De Souza explained, “By associating ourselves with this expertise, we are betting on the transfer of skills, technological cooperation, and international solidarity. Through this forum, we are no longer talking about accessibility, but about equality. We are no longer talking about distance, but rather connection.”

Registrations opened recently and will close on June 30, 2025.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Togolese capital is hosting the first Local Economic Development Festival (FDEL). The three-day event closes tomorrow, May 17. It is organized by Initiatives des Jeunes pour le Développement (IJD), an NGO, and SIM-Afrique, a consultancy firm. 

The festival aims to boost regional growth by promoting public-private partnerships and mobilizing local resources. It features panels, training sessions, business meetings, and an evening focused on decentralization. The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) supports the event.

“Local economic development has moved from the margins to the center of social and urban policy,” said Pascal Edoh Agbové, IJD’s Executive Director, at the opening. As this meeting unfolds, Togo’s government is ramping up efforts to give local authorities greater financial control, which is vital for sustainable development locally.

The festival gathered about 300 participants, including officials, local leaders, investors, and experts from several countries.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Togolese National Assembly could soon join the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (AFROPAC). AFROPAC’s Vice-President, Abena Oséi-Asaré, raised this possibility during a meeting with Kodjo Adédzé, President of the Togolese Parliament, on May 14, 2025. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the first African debt conference in Lomé.

Oséi-Asaré outlined AFROPAC’s missions and goals to the National Assembly. She highlighted Togo’s Finance Committee’s active role in the Organisation of West African Finance Committees. She argued that Togo’s membership in AFROPAC would strengthen the group’s efforts to promote democratic control of public finances across Africa.

Kodjo Adédzé welcomed the proposal. He said the National Assembly would soon study the request in detail. Adédzé emphasized Togo’s commitment to budget transparency and regional parliamentary cooperation. “It is high time that African parliamentarians could unite to speak with one voice,” he said.

AFROPAC unites public accounts committees from many African countries. The organisation aims to promote good governance and accountability in managing public finances.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo’s inflation rate eased to 2.5% in April 2025, down from 2.7% in March. The slight improvement reflects ongoing economic adjustments and authorities’ efforts to regulate agricultural markets and focus on imported goods.

The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) rose 1.0% from March to April. Food prices jumped 3.1%, and accommodation services increased by 1.4%. Yearly, inflation measured 0.8%, driven mainly by a 5.2% rise in food costs. Transport prices fell by 2.0%, helping to balance the overall inflation.

Despite some pressure on food crops, inflation remains under control. However, prices for basic food items surged sharply last month. Green chillies shot up 124%, and local round tomatoes climbed 109%. Palm kernel oil prices rose nearly 98%. Meanwhile, prices for charcoal and running water dropped significantly.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo’s electoral commission has set strict rules for groups wanting to observe the country’s 2025 municipal elections. The deadline to apply is June 20.

This week, the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) reported that these groups must meet technical, administrative, and ethical standards to get accreditation. Also, they must show experience in elections, human rights, or democracy, and need to submit their founding documents, proof of official recognition, and a letter explaining where and how they plan to observe, including the number of observers.

The CENI also insists that organizations guarantee their members are neutral, have no conflicts of interest, and are financially independent, especially if they send more than 200 observers.

Each observer must prove impartiality, avoid any political party or election body, and promise to follow the Electoral Code. Observers cannot make public statements before voting ends. The CENI says it will revoke accreditation retroactively if anyone breaks these rules.

Civil society groups see the accreditation process as a new opportunity to boost election transparency and support Togo’s democratic growth. The upcoming municipal elections carry big weight. These will be the country’s second local polls since 2020, as Togo pushes decentralization to bring the government closer to its citizens and improve local governance.

The coming elections will renew municipal councils and lay down strong institutional foundations for local authorities. Togo has 117 municipalities. 

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Togolese government spent CFA31 billion to reduce the electricity deficit and maintain power supply during the 2024-2025 energy crisis. According to the source, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Lomé used the money to support the energy sector and curb outages’ economic and social impacts.

In detail, throughout 2024 and from February to April 2025, Togo faced energy supply disruptions due to maintenance on the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), a problem shared by neighboring West African countries.

To counter these shortages, authorities used liquid fuels to run thermal power plants and increased electricity imports. This approach added up to 35 megawatts to the national grid. The West African Development Bank (BOAD) and other financial partners funded these emergency measures.

The ministry emphasized that this financial effort runs alongside ongoing investments aimed at achieving universal electricity access by 2030. Several projects have been launched to reach this goal. 

Togo secured CFA40 billion from BOAD last March to cover urgent energy sector expenses.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho