Togo's telecom watchdog, the ARCEP, has launched a digital platform, to simplify administrative procedures for users. 

The platform is accessible at e-services.arcep.tg. It allows users to perform various tasks, including declaring value-added services, requesting installer approvals, and allocating numbering resources. Users can also submit requests for renewing or modifying authorizations for independent radio frequency networks.

This new platform centralizes all administrative procedures in one place. Users can create a personal account or log in with existing credentials to access online services.

The ARCEP, through the project, aims to make it easier for users to access services and save time while also promoting the digitization of public services in line with Togo's administrative goals.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC 2024) will take place from September 4 to 6 in Beijing, China. This year's theme is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”. 

The event was announced by Chao Weidong, China's ambassador to Togo, during a media meeting in Lomé last weekend.

Ministerial meetings will be held ahead of the event, to draw up agreements that may signed. FOCAC 2024 will also feature a China-Africa business conference, a roundtable that should help enhance bilateral relations and foster economic and cultural exchanges.

According to Ambassador Chao, the summit could help bolster the relationship between China and Africa. Commenting on Togo’s position in this relationship, the diplomat said the West African country “always gives its firm support to the construction of FOCAC and takes an active part in the solidarity, cooperation, and common development between China and Africa.""We attach great importance to Togo's participation in this cooperation mechanism, which is essential for dialogue and pragmatic cooperation," he added.

China is Tog’s top source of imported goods. In H1 2023, trade between the two partners reached $2.3 billion, up 14% year-on-year.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Port of Lomé (PAL) moved up one spot in LLoyd’s latest Top 100 Container Ports Index. The Togolese port ranked 93rd this year. 

According to Lloyd’s List, the West African port handled 1.9 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2023, from 1.8 million TEUs in 2022(+5%).

The PAL is the only sub-Saharan African port ranked in the Top 100 list. "Lomé is now the sole sub-Saharan African port to feature in this prestigious ranking, confirming its status as a leader in the region," commented Edèm Téngué, Togo’s Minister of Maritime Economy.

Across the whole continent, however, it is behind several ports, including the Port of Tangiers in Morocco (19th), the Port of Suez in Egypt (47th), the Port of Durban in South Africa (78th), and the Port of Damietta, also in Egypt (90th). 

Asian ports dominate the ranking, globally. The top 10 ports are from Asia, with China’s Port of Shanghai in first position. The ports of Singapore and Ningbo-Zhoushan (China) are next.

Lomé's improved ranking can be attributed to reforms undertaken by the authorities to reduce costs and streamline procedures within the port. "With modern infrastructure, exemplary management and a forward-looking vision, the Port of Lomé now ranks 5th among African ports. This international recognition testifies to Togo's ongoing commitment to making Lomé a strategic hub for maritime trade in Africa," Tengue emphasized.

Esaïe Edoh

The Togolese Chamber of Trade and Industry, CCIT, has a new boss: José Symenouh. He was elected last Friday, August 16, in Lomé, at the first session of the Chamber’s new consular assembly.

Symenouh, former manager of NSIA-Togo, won 43 of 75 votes and came ahead of Patrick Magnon, who won 31 votes. 

The CCIT’s new chairman is a well-known businessman in Togo. He headed several businesses across various sectors–including insurance and higher education. He currently heads the Association des Grandes Entreprises du Togo (AGET)(Togo’s Large Business Association) and owns an insurance and engineering consulting firm.  

As the CCIT’s boss, Symenouh will help foster cooperation between the private sector and the government. Symenhou’s predecessor was Natahlie Bito. She was appointed in December 2020. 

Esaïe Edoh

The Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbé, recently recently two delegations from Niger and Burkina. He first received the delegation from Burkina Faso, on August 9, and the one from Niger on August 12. 

Both delegations were in Lomé to discuss ways to bolster diplomatic relations and cooperation with Togo. 

The Niger delegation was led by the Minister of Public Health and Social Affairs, Colonel Major Garba Hakimi.  "We have just been received by His Excellency, Faure Gnassingbé. This is a mission dispatched by his brother, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani, from the Republic of Niger. The main purpose of the mission is to deliver a message from the President of Niger,” Hakimi said after the meeting. 

The group from Burkina Faso was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré. "The President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has mandated us to reaffirm his message of fraternity and solidarity, as well as the positive appreciation of the Togolese President's leadership on sub-regional issues," said after meeting with President Gnassingbé. 

The meetings happen in a difficult socio-economic and political context in the region. Indeed, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have left the ECOWAS block in recent months to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The Sahel States and the northern part of Togo are also facing security issues.

Though they left the ECOWAS, the AES States seek to get closer to Togo, which they want to involve in their customs interconnection project.  If implemented, the project will bolster Togo's position as an entry point for products imported by its landlocked neighbors.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi 

Togo raised CFA32.7 billion on the West African Monetary Union (WAMU) public securities market last Friday, August 9. That is CFA2.7 billion more than its target for the operation. 

According to the operation’s report, CFA27.3 billion was secured through fungible treasury bills (BATs). The securities mature over 182 days and 364 days. 

The remaining CFA 5.4 billion, according to the same source, was obtained through fungible treasury bonds (OATs), which mature over five years at 6.40% per annum.

Togo will use the proceeds to finance its 2024 budget. The latter totals CFA2,179 billion in revenues and expenses.

Adding the latest issue, Togo has raised CFA 563 billion on the WAMU market so far this year, 92% of its annual target–CFA607 billion.

 Esaïe Edoh

Togo is closing its latest operation on the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) securities market today. Lomé hopes to raise CFA30 through the operation. 

In detail, the country’s treasury simultaneously issued fungible bonds (OATs) and bills (BATs). Lomé seeks CFA10 billion through the BATs and CFA20 billion through the OATs. The former securities have a par value of CF1 million, and mature over 182 days, at multiple rates. The latter have a par value of CFA10,000, mature over one and five years. The one-year securities have various interest rates and the five-year securities have a fixed rate of 6.40%. 

Proceeds of the operation will fund Togo’s 2024 budget which stands at CFA179 billion. Togo has raised CFA531 billion on the regional market since January, out of an annual target of CFA607 billion. 

Esaïe Edoh

Togo will host the second Pan-African Consumer Protection Forum next month. This event will take place from September 5 to 7, in Lomé, the capital. It is organized by the African Consumers' Union (ACU) in partnership with the Ligue des Consommateurs du Togo (Consumers’ League of Togo - LCT). 

This year, the event’s theme is: "Strengthening the satisfaction of users of telecommunications and air transport services for better air and digital connectivity."It aims to get ACU members to develop strategies for rapidly implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)   and improving telecommunications regulation across Africa.

Dr. Emmanuel Sogadji, President of the LCT, said "The forum will bring together representatives of consumer organizations from all over Africa. The UAC aims to strengthen the bond of partnership and fraternity within these organizations. We have put in terms of general theme the protection of consumer rights in the telecommunications and air transport sectors."

Talks, he added, will also cover ways to encourage countries to ratify SAATM, which would help facilitate the free movement of people and goods across Africa. "Taxation will also be on the discussion menu. We'll be talking about telecommunications, which today are the basis of all economic activity in our countries, as well as our businesses," he said.

Founded in 2018 and based in N'Djamena, Chad, the ACU includes 43 consumer associations from 34 African countries.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi