The military court of Lomé launched its activities last Monday, October 9. The court kicked off operations during an awareness-raising workshop attended by representatives of the various branches of the Togolese armed forces and other stakeholders.

The workshop sought to specify the cases handled by military courts, and the conditions under which these cases can be referred to them, according to Col. Akobi Messan, Attorney General at the Military Court of Appeal.

Moreover, it has been revealed that only military magistrates will perform investigation and prosecution. 

The military courts, according to the Minister of Justice, Pius Agbetomey, will allow Togolese military staff to enjoy the same rights and duties as civilians.

"We have to build justice that is rendered in the name of the Togolese people. With the advent of military justice, the Togolese civilian will see the soldier as a brother, the soldier enjoys the same rights and obligations as him (ed. note: the civilian), and the soldier too is subject to the law," said Agbetomey, adding: "Military jurisdictions are designed to be run not only by magistrates of the civilian order but also by purely or less military magistrates trained for this purpose."

Prior to the launch of Lomé’s military court, eight specialized magistrates were selected to work at the court. They were selected by a presidential decree issued on April 24, 2023.

Augustin Favereau, the French ambassador to Togo, was given an audience yesterday, Oct. 10, by the country’s media regulator, the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC). Participants exchanged their respective views on the HAAC’s activities, and explored prospects for cooperation between France and Togo in the media sector.

"I was able to visit a number of departments. This enabled us to reflect together on the partnership between France and Togo in the media field," said Augustin Favereau after the audience. "Several initiatives are underway to strengthen the media," he added.

These initiatives focus on training journalists, building their expertise on fighting piracy, and consolidating media outlets.  Emphasis is also put on supporting media in local languages, thus contributing to the diversification and promotion of media communication in the country.

A European Union (EU) delegation met in Lomé with Togolese authorities on October 9, for their second dialogue. Amongst others, the participants covered the organization of Togo's upcoming legislative and regional elections, as well as the country’s actions against terrorism.

Regarding the elections, the EU called for inclusive and peaceful polls. “About preparations for the forthcoming legislative and regional elections in Togo, the European side took note of the Togolese government's efforts to pursue an inclusive, transparent, and peaceful electoral process,” reads the statement issued after the meeting. 

Also, the EU’s ambassador to Togo, Joaquin Tasso Vilallonga, said the Union would keep supporting Togo’s anti-terrorism projects, such as the Emergency Program for the Savannah Region (PURS).

Other topics discussed include human rights, good governance, progress in implementing the recommendations made during Togo's Universal Periodic Review in 2022; support for ECOWAS peace efforts, and the need for a return to constitutional order and civilian rule as soon as possible in countries under putschist regimes. 

The meeting with the EU delegation aligns with the partnership agreement between the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States and the EU (OACPS-EU). 

Esaïe Edoh

The month of local consumption or “consommer local” officially started in Togo on October 9. This edition, the fourth, was launched by the Minister of Trade and local consumption, Rose Mivedor.

This year, the event will mainly focus on finding "strategies to stimulate the consumption of local goods and services". There will be discussion panels, centered on the main theme, and on issues like product quality, and product certification, as well as the impact of analytical laboratories on the competitiveness of local products and services.

Sales exhibitions will also be organized throughout the country, highlighting "Made in Togo" products and services. Company visits and media campaigns will also be carried out.

Concerned stakeholders will also, throughout the event, take stock of previous editions and define new strategies to make Togolese companies more competitive, both locally and internationally.

According to Minister Mivedor, the three previous editions significantly benefited local producers, processors, distributors, and consumers.

"These first three editions have led to a nearly 40% increase in sales and a strengthening of the workforce in the cosmetics, clothing, and agri-food sectors. These editions were also an opportunity for the government and players to get to grips with the main needs and challenges of promoters and consumers in terms of product traceability, quality, and standards," reported Rose Mivedor.

The local consumption month aligns with the decision taken by the trade ministers of UEMOA member states in October 2019, to reorient consumption patterns to bring value to nationals, through the processing of local products and services.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo’s top mesofinance institution, Société Générale de Micro & Méso Finance (SOGEMEF) has loaned out CFA30 billion since its launch in 2017. This is twice the amount the lender reported in 2021.

The figures were disclosed by SOGEMEF’s acting MD, Zankou Abla Mawussé, last week. This was during the official inauguration of the lender’s branch in Kara.

The finance institution loaned the money to business owners active in sectors such as agriculture, livestock breeding, crafts, trade, hotels, tourism, and public works.

With over 17,000 clients, SOGEMEF attributes its growth to "solid partnerships" with the Agence Nationale de Promotion et de Garantie de Financement (ANPGF), the Mécanisme incitatif de financement agricole, fondé sur le partage de risques (MIFA) and the Fonds d'appui à l'employabilité des jeunes (FAIEJ).

Esaïe Edoh 

Togo has started preparing for the next Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP28) which it will attend. The meetings focus on strategies for mobilizing financing for environmental projects at the conference.

The projects Togo will present at the event this year are aimed at fostering "sustainable agriculture and a climate-resilient, low Co2 emission economy."

So far, the country has submitted 23 projects to its environment directorate. The latter will filter the most bankable and search for potential partners to finance them.

Like many other countries, Togo did not have its expectations and concerns met at the COP27, in Egypt. Mainly, the country had presented its actions and projects –in the energy, transport, water, and agriculture sectors, primarily– to fight climate change.

Togo has also taken part in talks relating to the effective implementation of rich countries’ commitment to provide least-developed countries and island States with $100 billion every year, to help them adapt to or mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Cop28 is scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo’s National Assembly revised its 2023 finance act last week, at the request of the government. Initially set at CFA1,957.9 billion, the national budget was scaled up to CFA1,975.5 billion, revenues and expenditures.

In detail, revenues now stand at CFA1,204.1 billion, against CFA1,187.2 billion before the revision. Expenditures, for their part, were scaled up by 1.1%, from CFA1,554.7 billion to CFA1,572.3 billion.

The government said the amendment was necessary given the current global environment, marked by Covid’s return in China, the war in Ukraine, and Central Banks tightening their monetary policies.

According to the Minister of Finance and Economy, Sani Yaya, the revision will allow the authorities to “continue and strengthen the efforts undertaken on the security front".

Yaya added that "the vote of this rectifying finance law by the elected representatives of the people gives the government the means to pursue its action plan, notably structural reforms and improving the business climate."

According to the government, this budget readjustment will also enable the construction of bridges, a major cancer center, and the rehabilitation of university hospitals.

Esaïe Edoh

Arise IIP, a key manager of industrial parks in Africa and active on the Industrial Platform of Adetikope (PIA) of Togo, just partnered with French tracking firm Crystalchain. 

In a statement issued on October 9, Arise IIP said it has acquired a 17.6% stake in Crystalchain. The move, Arise IIP said, will help the PIA reduce its carbon footprint by better tracking its emissions. 

"Thanks to this new move, ARISE IIP will be able to keep introducing innovative solutions to monitor and assess the environmental impact of its supply chains," the statement reads.

Commenting on the acquisition, Gagan Gupta, Founder and CEO of Arise IIP, said: "At ARISE IIP, we are deeply committed to finding a balance between economic development and the fight against climate change."

Arise IIP announced it would leverage the new partnership to track carbon emissions in all countries where it manages industrial platforms, including Togo (in the soybean, sesame, and cotton sectors). The firm is also active in Benin (cotton, cashew, and soya), Gabon (timber), Côte d'Ivoire (cashew), Republic of Congo (timber), Nigeria (agricultural products) and Chad (meat), among others.

A Cameroonian app, Koree, won the 6th edition of the Ecobank Fintech Challenge. Koree stood out among more than 1,490 fintechs in the competition. 

Founded and headed by Magalie Gauze-Sanga, Koree aims to solve the small change issue in Francophone Africa. Right behind the Cameroonian app were Makuta (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Flexpay (Kenya), second and third, respectively. The three were picked out of eight finalists. Koree, Makuta, and Flexpay won $50,000, $10,000, and $5,000, respectively.

Why Koree?

In detail, Koree allows its users to get their small change, on their mobile phones, from sellers who have partnered with the startup. The solution deals with the issue of small change scarcity in Francophone Africa. In addition, Koree has a cashback system that allows its users to recover some money on their purchases. The money goes to a digital fidelity card available on the app. The money saved can then be used to make purchases later, from partner shops. This offers users more flexibility and bolsters financial inclusion.

A first for Cameroon, francophone Africa, and women

This is the first time a Francophone startup has won the award, the first time for Cameroon, and, most importantly, it is the first time a woman has won the prize. 

Magalie Gauze-Sanga, Koree’s founder, graduated from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and EM Lyon. She has two Master’s degrees – International Economics and Management. 

Gauze-Sanga started her career as Regional Head of Financial Services at JumiaPay for West Africa, before joining the African Women in Fintech & Payments network. She was also COO at Julaya and Head of Payments at Anka, before founding Koree.

"I'm very happy to have won this challenge", said the Cameroonian, whose application had been rejected the year before. "We applied last year, but alas, being still in the initial phase with only a few months of existence, we weren't very successful, which blocked our way to selection. We've come back much stronger for this edition", she added.

Next step: Côte d’Ivoire

Koree plans to deploy in Côte d'Ivoire by the end of this year. The startup intends to take advantage of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which the country will host. 

At present, the app has about 11,000 users and 40 partnering shops. This year, the fintech has recorded 40,000 transactions in Douala, according to its founder and CEO. Recently, Koree raised €20,000 from the Cameroon Angels Network (CAN), to finance its growth.

Regarding the Ecobank Fintech Challenge, the event’s goal is to foster innovation in the African fintech sector. The contest’s finalists join Ecobank’s Fintech Fellowship program, which allows them to secure deals and enter business partnerships with the Ecobank Group.

Fiacre E. Kakpo