Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger plan to roll out an intelligent transport system (ITS) to streamline the movement of goods and people along the Lomé-Ouagadougou-Niamey corridor. A two-day technical workshop opened in Lomé on Wednesday to review and approve study reports for the project.

The workshop, held Dec. 3-4, is organized by the Economic Corridor Project Coordination Unit (PCE-LON) with World Bank funding. The technical study, carried out by an international consultant for the three countries, sets out the ITS architecture, databases, cost estimates and tender documents.

According to documents reviewed, the system will integrate geolocation technology, interconnected information systems, real-time data collection and digital traffic-management tools. The project must also tackle ongoing security challenges along the corridor to ensure safer movement of goods and people.

Transport Ministry Secretary-General Dr. Michel Komlan Tindano said the ITS “is a key tool to ease transit, improve transparency and digitize procedures.”

The long-term objective is to reduce roadside delays and informal checks on this major trade route, improve information-sharing between agencies and smooth freight flows between Lomé, Cinkassé, Ouagadougou and Niamey.

The corridor is a primary logistics link for the hinterland of Burkina Faso and Niger. Nearly 90% of goods entering the region arrive by sea.

The ITS initiative is part of a national plan to consolidate the role of the Autonomous Port of Lomé as a regional logistics hub. It is also intended to support reforms to improve transport safety and lower logistics costs, a key factor for regional operators’ competitiveness.

Funded by the World Bank with $470 million for the entire corridor, including $120 million for Togo, the PCE-LON seeks to improve regional connectivity and socio-economic infrastructure along the route linking the three capitals.

After the two-day workshop, transport actors, government agencies and professional organizations were asked to submit recommendations to finalize the reports and prepare for the deployment phase. The next step will be rolling out the ITS along the corridor.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The commune of Moyen-Mono 2 in Togo and France’s Eurometropole of Metz have signed a decentralised cooperation agreement, officials said.

The agreement, signed in Kpékplémé, the commune’s capital, provides financial and technical support for the socio-economic development of Moyen-Mono 2.

Under the agreement, the French local authority will offer assistance in areas such as urban planning, water and sanitation services, and waste management. The Eurometropole of Metz has extensive experience in urban development, sustainable planning and environmental transition.

It will share technical expertise and best practices with its Togolese counterpart. According to the agreement, this support is expected to strengthen local planning and improve the resilience of infrastructure in Moyen-Mono 2.

“This partnership demonstrates the Eurometropole of Metz’s commitment to supporting the development projects of Moyen-Mono 2,” said Philippe Glesser, the mayor of Metz.

Edou Koffi Zomblewouh, mayor of Moyen-Mono 2, described the agreement as essential for advancing local initiatives, particularly those aimed at youth and women.

Moyen-Mono 2 has a population of more than 101,000 people, according to the 2022 General Census of Population and Housing. The commune’s economy is driven by agriculture, artisan activities and trade.

Since its creation in 2011, Togo’s National Volunteer Agency (ANVT) has engaged 80,694 volunteers across the country. More than 2,500 international volunteers have also taken part in community missions, according to figures presented on Friday in Lomé during International Volunteer Day events.

The ANVT had already reported in 2022 that it had passed 65,000 volunteers since the program was launched. That same year, nearly 8,000 volunteers joined in the first quarter alone, underscoring steady growth in participation.

The program includes several forms of volunteering, including skills-based volunteering, civic engagement, senior volunteer programs and reciprocal international volunteering. These initiatives support sectors such as education, health, agriculture, local development and data collection.

During this year’s International Volunteer Day, authorities said volunteer missions help improve access to basic social services, support the inclusion of young people and contribute to delivering public programs.

Discussions at the 2025 event also looked ahead to the 2026 International Year of Volunteers, which aims to reinforce the visibility, organization and long-term structure of volunteering efforts in Togo.

R.E.D

Togo’s State-Private Sector Consultation Committee (CCESP) reviewed its progress on Friday during its second technical dialogue meeting of the year, chaired by Finance Minister Georges Barcola. Economy and Strategic Foresight Minister Badanam Patoki also took part in the session.

Committee officials said the CCESP continues to play an important role in advancing economic reforms and supporting policies aimed at strengthening the private sector. They highlighted several measures adopted during the year.

These include the temporary suspension of customs duties on software imports, in effect since January 1, 2025, and a revision of the tax base for the levy applied to telecommunications and IT companies (TETTIC).

Additional measures were introduced to support key productive sectors. Value-added tax (VAT) was removed from inputs used in fishing, aquaculture and livestock activities, and reforms were launched to speed up VAT credit refunds in order to ease cash-flow pressure on businesses.

The committee also noted the introduction of a phased schedule for public procurement registration fees, intended to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises and micro-enterprises.

Finance Minister Barcola said these results reflect the constructive fiscal dialogue established between the state and the private sector. “This achievement must be preserved and strengthened,” he said.

Jonas Daou, president of the Association of Large Enterprises of Togo (AGET), emphasized the importance of collective action at a time when the country is entering a new political era. Referring to a recent address by President Faure Gnassingbé to Congress, he said cooperation between the public and private sectors is essential for promoting a development model that is both dynamic and socially inclusive.

During the meeting, participants also discussed measures to improve transparency, combat corruption and strengthen the business environment in order to stimulate investment and enhance competitiveness in Togo.

Created in 2017, the CCESP aims to foster dialogue and improve cooperation between public and private sector actors.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo-based startup Gozem has taken a new step in its expansion with Belife Insurance acquiring an equity stake as part of its Series B funding round.

Belife, which operates in Togo, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, is seeking to expand its presence in digital services and reach a broader customer base in Francophone Africa. Formed after the acquisition of Prudential’s regional operations, the insurer focuses on simple, accessible products. Its investment in Gozem is expected to speed up the rollout of insurance solutions for drivers, merchants and informal-sector workers, according to sources familiar with the matter. Gozem’s super-app, active in Togo, Benin, Gabon and Cameroon, is viewed as an effective distribution channel for this strategy.

Since its launch in 2018, Gozem has evolved from a transport platform into a broader ecosystem offering payments, delivery services, ticketing and vehicle financing. The arrival of an investor from the insurance sector is expected to add a new service layer to the platform, expanding access to offerings that remain limited across the region.

Gozem’s management described the investment as a “strategic partnership” rather than a purely financial commitment. The company says the new shareholder will help strengthen its ability to deliver essential services tailored to local needs as part of its broader scale-up plan.