Togolese authorities collected CFA729 billion in taxes and duties in the first three quarters of 2023. The country’s general directorate for budgeting and finance revealed the figure in a report "Rapport d'exécution du budget de l'Etat exercice 2023 situation à fin septembre". 

While the amount is about 20% less than the authorities had expected to collect over the period–CFA912 billion–it exceeds last year’s performance by nearly 13%. Indeed, the country had mobilized CFA647 billion in January-September 2022.

The tax authorities attribute the increase to a rise in VAT-taxable sales (8.2%) and imports by value (12.8%).

Other factors that contributed to the increase include the spatial reorganization of tax services, with the creation of tax operations offices in each commune of Greater Lomé and in each prefecture in the interior of the country, as well as the use of data from the tax census carried out throughout the country in 2022. There is also the reinforcement of tariff specification codes for better control of the customs value of goods.

In detail, the tax revenues collected in the past three quarters are broken down into liquid revenues, valued at CFA590 billion, and non-liquid revenues, valued at CFA139 billion.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo will host the 18th edition of the International Fair of Lomé next week, from November 22.  Placed under the high patronage of President Faure Gnassingbé, the event ends on December 3, 2023. "Connecting markets for strong trade growth" is the theme of this year’s edition.

"This theme is an avenue for strengthening economic ties between participating countries and sparks better exploitation of the assets of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for economic and sustainable growth of member states," according to the Ministry of Trade.

The Centre Togolais des Expositions et Foires de Lomé (CETEF), which hosts the event, is also sporting a new visual identity in the run-up to this international meeting, considered to be the rendezvous of "all opportunities" in Togo.

The African Guarantee Fund (AGF) will provide Lomé-based Ecobank with additional support to better finance African SMEs. The two recently signed a $200 million risk-sharing agreement in Lomé to this end. The deal was sealed this week during the Africa Financial Industry Summit (AFIS).

The new agreement bolsters the partnership between the two pan-African institutions.

"Our strengthened partnership with the African Guarantee Fund marks an important milestone in our commitment to supporting SMEs across Africa with affordable financing. Through this partnership, we are taking bold steps to improve green finance and financing for women-led businesses", declared Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group. "In doing so, we aim to eliminate stringent and restrictive collateral requirements, which particularly hinder access to credit for women-led businesses", he added.

The new partnership now covers 27 countries within Ecobank's African network, offering 50% coverage for eligible SMEs across all of these target markets. The AGF guarantee was first issued in 2013; $50 million for seven countries. In 2018, the facility was extended to seven more countries and amounted to $230 million.

By teaming up, AGF and Ecobank aim to assist African SMEs to access loans more readily. Indeed, key points of the agreement include enhanced guarantee coverage to 75% for the financing of women-led businesses and green projects, a significant increase in Ecobank's lending capacity for SMEs, and the mitigation of credit risks associated with SME lending. This collaboration promotes financial inclusion by directing funds to businesses, including those in underserved areas, contributing to economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa.

"This partnership will catalyze nearly a billion dollars in financing for SMEs, which are the real engines of growth in African economies," said Jules Ngankam, Group Managing Director, AGF, at the AFIS Summit.

The countries covered by the partnership are Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Ministry of Health of Togo is currently investigating several cases of dengue fever reported across the country. At present, five cases have been reported in the maritime region, one in the Plateaux region, and two in the Savanes region.

"Investigations are underway to search for possible cases in the community to facilitate their early management," said Minister Moustafa Mijiyawa.

The government has put in place an action plan, including the organization of case management in health facilities, the strengthening of early detection through laboratory confirmations, and raising public awareness about preventive measures.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease transmitted by mosquito bites. Its symptoms are non-specific, and they include fever, intense weakness, headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and rash. However, in severe cases, bleeding and other major health complications can occur.

Meanwhile in Burkina Faso…

It should be noted that the Togolese Ministry of Health had already warned about the disease last October, mentioning the disease’s presence in Burkina Faso. Indeed, recent reports indicate that 50,000 people may have been infected, and 214 succumbed to Dengue in the neighboring country. According to available data, a third of the deaths (48 people) were recorded between October 9 and 15.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) deems Togo's electoral register "sufficiently reliable". This means the country is well equipped to hold its upcoming regional and legislative elections “in an environment of trust”. The statement was made by Désiré Nyaruhirira, Special Political and Diplomatic Advisor to the Secretary General of La Francophonie.  

Nyaruhirira’s comments are based on the conclusions of an OIF audit of the electoral register. The audit was commissioned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). The study’s conclusions were officially transmitted to CENI president, Dago Yabré, in Lomé on November 15.

"After the verifications and analyses carried out, the experts have delivered reassuring conclusions on the quality of the Togolese electoral register…In summary, I can say on behalf of the experts that the Togolese electoral file is sufficiently reliable to enable the upcoming regional and legislative elections to be held in conditions of confidence," Désiré Nyaruhirira said.

Based on the audit’s findings, OIF experts consider Togo a model regarding inclusion.

The audit was carried out from October 20 to 27, 2023, by three experts (a computer scientist, a legal expert, and a statistician-demographer).

Togo, according to its government, is set to hold its legislative and regional elections before the year ends. 

Esaïe Edoh

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) wants to help Togolese authorities integrate ICTs into the country's education system faster. The organization, in line with this ambition, organized this week a two-day training workshop in Lomé, the Togolese capital.

The workshop, which closed on Wednesday, aimed to teach teachers and educational managers how to master technological tools, create interactive courses, and exploit online educational resources.

Some of the topics covered during the training workshop include "Introduction to educational technologies," "Technology education in teaching and learning," "Technological tools and Resources for education," "Instructional design and content creation," "Adaptation to specific needs and diversity," as well as "Management and administration of administrative technologies."

According to Kouma Bamissa, National Education Inspector, ICT adoption will help improve the quality of education in Togo.

Founded in 1979, ICESCO has 60 member countries. The organization promotes education, science, and intercultural dialogue, in line with Islamic values of fraternity and solidarity between nations. Togo has been a member of this organization since 2002.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo has joined the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Its adhesion was unanimously approved by the institution's 72 members, per Resolution 1b of the CGF General Assembly program. 

"I am really pleased to be here today on behalf of my country, Togo, which is joining the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Thank you all for accepting our bid to join the CGF", said Deladem Akpaki, President of the Togolese National Olympic Committee (CNO-TOGO), at the podium of this General Assembly.

Akpaki added that Togo “will not only respect the CGF but also promote and share the organization's core values, Humanity - Equality - Destiny in Togo".

A few months ago, Togo took part in the Commonwealth Youth Ministers' meeting. The West African nation is also working on its integration into the organization's unique Blue Charter platform, to benefit from the advantages offered by this platform in the maritime sector.

Togo joined the Commonwealth in June 2022.  

Esaïe Edoh

Togo launched the Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Project (SWEDD+) on November 14. The World Bank-backed initiative was officially kicked off at the University of Lomé, by the minister of women empowerment and literacy, Adjovi Lolonyo Anakoma-Apedoh. 

"SWEDD Togo aims to improve girls' and women's access to learning, economic opportunities, and the use of health services, as well as to strengthen Togo's institutional capacity for gender equality," said the minister, as he launched the project.

Approved by the World Bank's Board of Directors on September 29, 2023, the program will require CFA37.5 billion. It targets over 105,000 Togolese girls and young women as direct beneficiaries, through interventions at the community level. Emphasis will be placed on women's economic empowerment and keeping girls in school.

Present at the launch, the World Bank’s Director of Operations for Togo, Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, declared: "The project we are launching today aims to reinforce the government's efforts to empower women and girls. It is a regional project that is already active in several countries in West and Central Africa".

This will include improving access to learning, economic opportunities, and health services for adolescent girls and young women. SWEDD+ also aims to strengthen the regional institutional environment for gender equality.

Togo, it is worth noting, has been working to promote equal access for women to opportunities, particularly in education, entrepreneurship, and positions of responsibility, despite significant challenges. According to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the proportion of women in managerial positions in Togo is 70%.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo showcases its government roadmap and related projects at the 3rd Intra African Trade Fair (IATF 2023) in Cairo, Egypt. Started on November 9, the fair ends today, November 15. 

The Togolese delegation regrouped about 10 people, businessmen, some officials, and staff of the Centre for Fairs and Exhibitions (CETEF) of Togo. 

Organized by Afreximbank, the IATF aims to develop and intensify trade between African countries. It is the fruit of the ratification of the agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area (Zlecaf) signed in Kigali in March 2015.

This year, it brought together 1,600 exhibitors from 57 countries, as well as political and economic decision-makers. 

Togo attended the previous editions in 2018 and 2021. 

Esaïe Edoh