The World Bank’s portfolio is now valued at more than a billion dollars. In April 2023, the exact amount was $1,055.63 million, according to documents obtained by Togo First. 

The portfolio covers nine national projects worth $520.1 million and nine regional projects worth $535.53 million. 

The funds were invested in several sectors, including basic education, higher education, agriculture, health, social and environmental protection. Some of the projects backed by the World Bank include the Mining Development and Governance Project (MDGP), the Social Safety Nets and Basic Services Project (SSBS), the Economic Governance Support Project (EGSP), the West Africa Coastal Area Resilience Investment Project (WACA) and the West Africa Unique Identification Project for Regional Integration and Inclusion - Phase II (WURI).

Read Also: Togo anticipates stronger relationship with World Bank as the Group appoints a new president

This year, five new projects will be supported by the Bretton Woods institution – three national and two regional. These aim to boost resilience, access to water in cities, solar power output, and empower women, according to the Bank. The projects should accelerate Togo’s economic and social development, as well as strengthen the country’s ties with the World Bank.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

On May 4th, the Togolese parliament approved the country's adherence to two international conventions aimed at protecting its maritime activities. The first is the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, and the second is the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The first convention will enable Lomé to take steps to ensure the growth of fish species, particularly Atlantic tuna. Its adoption aligns with the government's efforts to regulate the opening and closing of fishing seasons, specifically on the Nangbeto Lake. This convention also serves as a legal tool that will allow Togolese authorities to control the expansion of industrial fishing by regulating fishing activities.

After the deputies agreed on the adoption, Edem Tengué, Minister of Maritime Economy, stated, "Through this adherence, Togo wishes to participate actively in the sustainable management of tuna stocks in the Atlantic, in cooperation with the other States Parties to the Convention."

Regarding the second convention, it enables the Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to intervene in conflicts related to Togo's maritime space, such as issues concerning the delineation of its sea borders. Commenting on this convention, Tengué said, "This adherence will also help foster cooperation at the international, regional, and sub-regional levels in the protection and conservation of fisheries resources and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing."

The two conventions complement other legal tools adopted by Togo to improve its maritime activity and fishing industry.

Esaïe Edoh

In Togo, the first cohort of women enrolled in the Yennenga Women Leadership Program, an initiative of the West African Development Bank (BOAD), has graduated. The BOAD and Paris' Haute École de Commerce (HEC) recently awarded completion certificates to all 20 graduates.

The program aims to enhance the BOAD's human capital, unlock women's professional potential in Africa, and inspire future generations of girls and women. The 20 graduates work across all of the Bank's divisions, and with the training, they now have the necessary skills to contribute to the lender's growth and help make it a benchmark.

During the graduation ceremony, Rose Kayi Mivédor, Togo's Minister of Investment Promotion, praised the BOAD's commitment to promoting gender equality and women's entrepreneurship in Togo through its Yennenga program. She emphasized that the program will enable Togolese women, who make up more than 50% of the population, to contribute to the country's economic growth and social development. Serge Ekué, President of the BOAD, stressed the importance of women's strong engagement in the development of African society, adding that the Yennenga program aims to encourage women to fully play their role within the institution.

The Yennenga program is part of the BOAD's Djoliba 2021-2025 strategy. On May 2, the program enrolled its second cohort of trainees.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

On May 1, the staff of the Togolese Presidency and affiliated institutions celebrated Labor Day with Minister and Secretary General of the Presidency, Sandra Ablamba Johnson, and the President's close collaborators in attendance. On the occasion, participants reiterated their commitment to work with President Faure Gnassingbé to successfully implement the government’s Togo 2025 roadmap.

Sandra Ablamba Johnson expressed her gratitude towards the staff for actively contributing to the country's socio-economic development. She then urged them to remain highly professional, while noting the importance of each team member in contributing to Togo’s success.

"The President’s ambition is to have quality human resources which will ensure better implementation of the government’s Togo 2025 Roadmap. He continuously takes steps to make sure that the fruits of our country's growth are shared fairly and equitably," she said, before adding: "Therefore, I encourage us to sustain a culture of excellence, responsibility, team spirit, civic commitment, and excellence in everything we do, and everything we are entrusted with."

During the celebration, Johnson also thanked retired civil servants for "their loyalty and sacrifices they made for the country's growth."

Esaïe Edoh

Togo’s coffee output surged by 55.9% during the 2021-2022 season. The increase was unveiled in the "Global Coffee Report and Outlook" released by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) on 17 April. 

Production vs. consumption

Overall, Africa produced 0.8% less coffee in the 2021-2022 season. However, the ICO experts believe the continent’s production should grow by 1.4% the next season, as the industry rebounds in some countries, including Togo and Angola. Proportion-wise, 11.4% of all the coffee produced in the world in 2021-2022 came from Africa (against 11.3% the previous season). 

While its production went down slightly, Africa’s coffee consumption in 2021-2022 went up by 2.6%, reaching 12.87 million 60 kg bags. And though the increase was most significant in Côte d'Ivoire (+50%), Africa’s biggest consumers remained Ethiopia, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Tunisia. Together, these countries totaled nearly 75% of the demand on the continent. Meanwhile, global consumption was up by 4.2% to 175.6 million 60 kg bags.

Forecasts

For the 2022-2023 season, the ICO expects global coffee production and consumption to rise by 1.7%. Regarding Africa, the organization expects its coffee consumption to grow by 4.1% to 13.4 million 60 kg bags.

Together, the ICO member States produce 93% of the world's coffee and consume 63% of the global output. Next September, Togo will take over the organization’s helm.  

Originally written in French by Fiacre E. Kakpo

Translated in English by Schadrac Akinocho

Binta Sanneh is the UNDP’s new resident representative in Togo. She officially stepped into the position on May 2, 2023, in Lomé. Sanneh took over from Aliou Dia. 

The new representative has been working at the UN organization for almost 15 years. She was in Guinea Bissau, Burundi, and Chad. 

An MBA holder, Binta Sanneh is from Gambia. An expert in international development, she is committed to gender equality, inclusion, and environmental sustainability. 

In Togo, she will monitor all of the UNDP’s activities and projects, making sure the organization efficiently contributes to Togo’s development goals. 

In recent years, the UNDP has increased its investments in Togo, especially in the following areas: education, youth employment, environment, digitalization, inclusion, gender, and community development. 

Now, Bintah Sanneh will reinforce the cooperation between the organization of the government, with a focus on inclusive economic growth, creating jobs for the youth, and reducing poverty. She is also expected to address the issue of strengthening the ties between the UNDP, civil society, and the private sector. 

A few months before the Gambian was appointed, Togo and the UN System signed a new cooperation framework agreement for the 2023-2027 period. In line with this agreement, Togo should receive about CFA150 billion to support its growth.

On May 3, 2023, the African Political Alliance (APA) held its first ministerial conference in Lomé, Togo, under the leadership of Togolese Prime Minister, Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey. It was attended by representatives from several countries, including Angola, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Central African Republic, Guinea, Mali, Libya, Namibia, and Tanzania.

The APA is a Togolese initiative aimed at bringing together countries that share a pan-Africanist vision and are committed to building a politically strong, independent, and non-aligned Africa. In her opening remarks, Prime Minister Tomégah-Dogbé emphasized the need for Africa to become a balancing force amid globalization.

For his part, Minister Dussey highlighted the alliance's commitment to strengthening Africa's independence and addressing the terrorist threat. He added that the APA promotes Pan-Africanism, leveraging a shared vision and commitment to meeting the challenges facing the continent.