• UEMOA, Togo, and veterinary drug companies met in Lomé to review reforms and tighten regulations.
  
• Since 2006, over 660 marketing authorizations have been issued, supported by CFA1 billion in funding.
  
• Illicit veterinary medicines still circulate widely, threatening animal health and food security.
  

West African veterinary regulators and pharmaceutical firms are meeting in Lomé this week to assess progress in controlling veterinary medicines across the eight-member West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).

The three-day gathering—officially the 6th biennial information meeting—opened under the chairmanship of Togo’s State Minister Yark Damehame and UEMOA Commissioner Mahamadou Gado. Delegates are reviewing regional reforms aimed at harmonizing practices, strengthening public health safeguards, and improving the quality of animal healthcare products.

“This meeting is crucial,” said Dr. Kouadjo Théodore Domagni, UEMOA’s Director of Veterinary Medicines. “We cannot speak of livestock without talking about animal health, and we cannot speak of animal health without quality veterinary medicines.”

UEMOA first signed its veterinary medicine reforms in 2006 and operationalized them in 2010. One early obstacle was securing buy-in from pharmaceutical companies, but Domagni says collaboration has improved in recent years.

The conference comes as regional governments step up efforts to modernize livestock value chains and protect consumers against counterfeit treatments.

Since 2006, UEMOA has centralized the process of issuing marketing authorizations (AMM) for veterinary medicines at the Commission level. More than 660 authorizations have been granted. The bloc has also invested over CFA1 billion ($1.6 million) to train regulators, equip laboratories, and step up field inspections. Additional frameworks for quality control and pharmacovigilance have been implemented.

Despite these efforts, illicit and substandard veterinary medicines still circulate widely across the region, threatening animal health and food security. In many UEMOA countries, livestock contributes up to 38% of agricultural GDP.

BCEAO: Mawuli Couchoro Appointed Togo’s New Voice on Monetary Policy Committee

Togolese economist Mawuli Kodjovi Couchoro will represent Togo on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). Officials confirmed his appointment on June 27 during the National Credit Council’s (CNC) second ordinary session of the year in Lomé.

Couchoro, currently Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences (FASEG) at the University of Lomé, replaces Khoura Takpara, whose term ended in March 2025. As a CNC member, he already plays a role in national financial affairs. Now, he will help shape regional monetary decisions on behalf of Togo.

In his new position, Couchoro will make proposals that align with Togo’s priorities, including macroeconomic stability and a more attractive business climate. He will also ensure regional monetary decisions match the realities of the Togolese banking system.

The MPC is the BCEAO’s statutory body in charge of defining monetary policy within the West African Monetary Union (UMOA). It meets regularly to review the region’s economic and financial situation and decides on key interest rates and other monetary tools to keep prices stable and support sustainable growth.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

In Togo, work continues on the rehabilitation of the Kara University Hospital (CHU Kara), with several projects underway. Last week, Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Tchin Darré, visited the site to assess the progress of the different works.

The main rehabilitation project, led by Ellipse Projects, was launched in April 2024 and is scheduled to last 36 months. As of June 20, 2025, the project has reached 35% completion. It is financed through a public-private partnership and includes building a new technical platform and maternity unit using modular construction, along with upgrades to existing infrastructure, including buildings, roads, water, and electricity networks.

Le Prof Tchin DARRE, Ministre de la Santé a visité ce vendredi 20 juin 2025, les différents chantiers en cours d'exécution au CHU Kara pour constater l'état d'avancement des travaux. Il s'agit notamment du Projet Ellipse, de l'unité d'hémodialyse et de la maternité de KfW. pic.twitter.com/2llSWzXlIC

— Ministère en charge de la Santé Togo (@MSPS_Togo) June 21, 2025

Separately, construction of a new hemodialysis unit at CHU Kara has also begun. This project is financed with CFA300 million from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Ecobank, and the Togolese government. The work is planned to run from September 2024 to February 2026, a period of 18 months, and has reached 15% completion.

The hemodialysis facility will include a 10-bed dialysis room, a water treatment area, a technical room, storage space, a consultation room, a catheter placement room, a patient changing area, a waiting room, three bathrooms, a reception area, five offices with integrated bathrooms, a meeting room, and three additional dialysis rooms with two beds each.

In addition, renovations to the maternity ward and gynecological operating rooms, funded by German cooperation through KfW, are now 80% complete.

Despite the ongoing works, overall progress remains below expectations. The Minister called on contractors to speed up operations to ensure the timely delivery of the new facilities and improve healthcare quality in the region.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo) launched “Entrepreneurs Mag” to showcase Togo’s entrepreneurial landscape. CCI-Togo presented the magazine on June 26 to journalists and economic partners.

Dr. José Kwassi Symenouh, president of CCI-Togo, said the magazine aims to “weave a direct link between institutional action and on-the-ground realities.” He explained that it highlights ongoing reforms, investment opportunities, and inspiring local success stories. The magazine continues the work of CCI-Togo’s earlier publications, such as L’Entrepreneur and Le Messager du Secteur Privé.

The first issue features an in-depth look at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform, an overview of the PAVRIT program, an analysis of CCI-Togo’s ten months of activities, and a presentation of the PRODIGIT project.

“This magazine is not just a communication tool,” added Dr. Symenouh. “It is a strategic instrument conceived as a bridge between institutions, businesses, and public opinion. It also serves as a source of inspiration for youth, women entrepreneurs, start-ups, and everyone who keeps our economy alive.”

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo has launched a new project to improve access to basic social services in the Savanes region, the northern part of the country. The initiative, titled “Improving Equitable and Sustainable Access to an Integrated Package of Essential Services for Children in Northern Togo through a Cohesion Approach,” was officially launched on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, with total funding of CFA8.3 billion.

The program focuses on strengthening services in education, health, water, sanitation, hygiene, and social protection, particularly for children, including those displaced by the ongoing security crisis linked to the spillover of Sahel conflicts, as well as host communities in affected areas.

The project is primarily financed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), contributing CFA7.8 billion. UNICEF is providing CFA485.48 million, and the World Food Programme (WFP) is contributing CFA59.87 million. Implementation is scheduled for 2025 to 2029.

Structured around three key components, the project aims to improve health, education, and sanitation systems for children in three age groups: 0 to 5 years, 6 to 12 years, and 13 to 18 years. The goal is to ensure integrated and equitable access to essential services from early childhood through adolescence.

The initiative also seeks to improve the quality of public spending in the social sectors by promoting more efficient resource allocation toward high-impact programs and reducing administrative costs.

“Korea is ready to support this project in northern Togo, and implementation must begin immediately,” said Dong Hyun Lee, KOICA Country Director. For his part, Edjéou Essohanam, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Development Planning and Cooperation, emphasized that funding should be directed primarily toward the most vulnerable areas.

This new project builds on efforts launched since 2021 by technical and financial partners to support populations in northern Togo amid the persistent security crisis.

Togo will host the BlueInvest Africa 2025 forum on October 15 and 16. The event will promote investment in Africa’s blue economy and connect maritime entrepreneurs with global investors.

The European Union, which launched the initiative, confirmed the dates on Wednesday. The EU wants to deepen Africa-Europe cooperation on sustainable ocean industries. Organizers said the 2025 edition will target “responsible and sustainable investments” and help create “strategic partnerships” between innovators and financiers.

The event will spotlight key sectors such as marine energy, fishing, aquaculture, ocean conservation, and maritime transport. It aims to accelerate the growth of sustainable marine industries across the continent.

Organizers selected 25 African startups to pitch at the forum, including a Togolese firm working in aquaponics. These youth-led companies offer solutions in marine biotechnology, waste management, and sustainable fishing. They will seek funding and technical support during the two-day event.

The EU first announced Togo as host in March. EU Ambassador Gwilym Jones confirmed the decision during a meeting with then-Prime Minister Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé. The forum aligns with Togo’s strategy to unlock its maritime potential and become a leading logistics and economic hub in West Africa.

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo’s public sector wage bill reached CFA83 billion between January and March 2025, marking an increase of 18% compared to the same period last year. The figures were published by the Ministry of Economy and Finance in its State Budget Execution Report for the first quarter of 2025, reviewed by Togo First.

The wage expenses include salaries, allowances, bonuses, family benefits, employer contributions, and all other staff-related costs under the general state budget.

Compared to the first quarter of 2024, this represents a CFA13 billion rise, equal to 19%. The increase is mainly due to adjustments in the salaries of certain public workers and retirement benefits paid to 612 newly retired employees announced in January 2025.

The upward trend is expected to continue in the coming months, following the appointment of about 3,000 new civil servants, who officially took office on March 31, 2025.

For the full year, the government has allocated CFA355 billion to cover public sector wage expenses.