Togo First
CCI-Togo Launches “Entrepreneurs Mag” to Spotlight Private Sector
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 Launches CFA8.3bn Project to Boost Social Services in the Savanes
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: State Fine Revenue Tanks 70% in Q1’ 2025
Togo's revenue from fines and penalties significantly decreased in the first quarter of 2025. Official data shows the state collected just 110 million CFA francs against an annual forecast of 1.3 billion CFA francs. This represents an 8.73% realization rate. The sharp decline contrasts with the 360 million FCFA collected during the same period in 2024, marking a nearly 70% annual decrease (68.24%).
Specifically, the Tax Office (CI) collected 45.26% less in fines, dropping from 150 million to 80 million FCFA. Concurrently, fines and penalties collected by the Customs and Indirect Tax Office (CDDI) plummeted by over 85%, totaling 30 million FCFA compared to 210 million last year.
This steep drop in collected fines and penalties during the first quarter of 2025 raises questions about a possible softening of Togo's fiscal enforcement policy. The decline could stem from a shift toward education rather than punishment, or a political decision to temporarily ease the burden on taxpayers amid a strained socioeconomic environment. Conversely, it might also indicate a decrease in the effectiveness of detecting and prosecuting tax offenses during this period.
This article was initially written in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin
Togo to Host BlueInvest Africa Forum in October to Boost Blue Economy Investments
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 Hits CFA83bn in Q1 2025, Up 18%
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.
Faure Gnassingbé Demands Multilateral Overhaul on 80th UN Charter Anniversary
Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo’s Council of Ministers, participated this week in the 80th-anniversary commemoration of the United Nations Charter. During the event, he reaffirmed Togo’s dedication to multilateralism and called for a rebalancing of the global order.
Speaking from the UN podium, Gnassingbé lauded the Charter as a historic milestone and a foundational document for an international order built on peace, justice, and national sovereignty. However, he highlighted a clear paradox: while the Charter’s principles are more relevant than ever, they are facing significant challenges.
He stated, "The principles of the Charter are more necessary than ever, yet more than ever under strain from protracted conflicts, the climate emergency, deepening inequalities, and a crisis of confidence in multilateralism."
Gnassingbé added emphatically, "Preserving its spirit is no longer enough. We must strengthen it."
He urged a reform of global institutions to make them "more representative, more responsive, and more just." He also stressed the importance of positioning Africa at the center of global transformation, not merely as a recipient of support, but as a key driver of change.
Togo became a member of the United Nations on September 20, 1960, after accepting the Charter on May 21 of that year.
Togo Tightens Regulations on Insurance Brokerage Sector
Togo's government is intensifying efforts to regulate and professionalize its insurance brokerage sector. A national training seminar, initiated by the National Directorate of Insurance under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, officially opened on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The seminar aims to significantly increase professionalism within the sector.
This gathering signals an ambition to structurally reform the intermediation market. Officials recognize this market as a crucial, though still fragile, pillar of Togo's financial system.
The government is now emphasizing stricter regulatory oversight. For example, any approval for a brokerage company leader now requires a morality investigation. This requirement, introduced in 2024, seeks to rebuild trust and guarantee the integrity of industry participants.
Despite these efforts, several persistent challenges remain. One of the most alarming issues is an outstanding balance of unpaid premiums that exceeded CFA2.5 billion in 2024. This debt jeopardizes company solvency, destabilizes the value chain, and erodes the sector’s credibility.
Koffi Elom Masé, Director of Insurance, stated, "Intermediaries must be guarantors of trust, transparency, and rigor."
Inspections have revealed various flaws, including irregularities in regulatory reports, governance shortcomings, and a limited understanding of CIMA standards, which govern the industry.
In light of these findings, the sector faces calls for reorganization. The Council of Insurers of Togo (CAT), however, points to encouraging progress. The market expanded from CFA62 billion in 2019 to CFA98 billion in 2024, marking a 57% increase. This growth underscores the market's strong potential, provided that fundamental improvements in governance and professionalism are made.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo Suspends Artisanal and Industrial Fishing
Togo will temporarily suspend artisanal and industrial fishing activities in July and August 2025 as part of efforts to preserve marine resources. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Fisheries, Livestock, and Transhumance Regulation on June 20 sets two distinct fishing bans.
Artisanal fishing will be prohibited from July 1 to July 31, while industrial fishing will be halted from July 1 to August 31, 2025.
The measure is designed to allow for a biological recovery period, enabling aquatic species to reproduce and supporting long-term sustainability of fish stocks. It also reflects Togo’s regional commitments to its partners in the Gulf of Guinea to combat marine resource overexploitation.
During the suspension period, all fishing, harvesting, or transshipment of marine products is strictly forbidden. The ministry has warned that violators will face penalties under existing national regulations.
To ensure compliance, the authorities are calling for the involvement of all stakeholders in the fishing industry, including professional fishing organizations, local management committees, fishing communities, artisans, fish traders, and other sector participants.
These fishing bans are part of Togo’s national strategy for sustainable fisheries management, which establishes two annual biological rest periods: from July 1 to July 31 for artisanal fishing and from July 1 to August 31 for industrial fishing.
Esaïe Edoh
Lomé Opens 2nd RARE Forum to Enhance Educational Resources
Lomé has been hosting the second edition of the African Meetings for Educational Resources, known as RARE, since Tuesday, June 24. Initiated and funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), and implemented by UNESCO and the Institut Français, the project aims to improve equitable access for primary and secondary school students to a broad range of high-quality educational resources.
Over three days, representatives from Ministries of Education and Culture will gather. They will join book industry professionals, including publishers, booksellers, and authors, from 13 French-speaking sub-Saharan African countries. The participants will address various themes. The goal is to highlight progress made since 2020, share lessons learned, and plan how to sustain these achievements.
"These three days mark more than just another edition. They represent the culmination of five years of shared effort, collective commitment, and innovation in service of educational quality in Francophone sub-Saharan Africa," said Guillaume Husson, Head of the Education sector at UNESCO’s West Africa Regional Office. "Since 2020, the Educational Resources project has supported 13 countries in a bold initiative. This initiative is to rethink, structure, enrich, and provide access to relevant, inclusive resources adapted to local contexts. National policies that are more grounded in each country's realities are beginning to emerge."
Participants hope the event will strengthen collaboration between public and private sectors, educational stakeholders, and technical partners. They also aim to improve the quality of resources, considering new digital tools, and encourage sharing across countries. Most importantly, they seek to ensure real access to educational materials for those who need them most, including students, teachers, and schools.
Isaac Tchiakpe, Minister of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Apprenticeship, emphasized Togo’s commitment. "Since 2020, Togo has undertaken a series of structural reforms to deeply modernize its education system and boost its effectiveness," he stated. "These reforms, built around the Government Roadmap (FDR 2020 to 2025) and the Education Sector Plan (PSE 2020 to 2030), reflect our commitment to making education a cornerstone of human and economic development in our country." He reiterated Togo’s dedication to advancing educational resources.
The first edition of RARE took place in 2022 in Dakar, Senegal.
Kloto 1 Invested Over CFAF2Bln in Social Sectors Between 2019 and 2025
The Kloto 1 Municipality, located 120 km northwest of Lomé, invested over 2 billion CFA francs in key social sectors including education, health, and the environment between 2019 and 2025. These figures were presented on Friday, June 20, in Kpalimé during the municipality's first extraordinary council session of 2025, just weeks before the end of its inaugural term.
The municipality's annual budget increased from 313 million CFA francs in 2021 to almost 690 million CFA francs in 2024. This rise reflects a consistent increase in resources and investment capacity. These funds supported projects in various areas such as infrastructure, education, health, environment, agriculture, sanitation, and economic development.
More than 225 million CFA francs were invested in three major drinking water projects alone. Health initiatives received 100 million CFA francs. Since 2019, around 2 million CFA francs in annual aid has been distributed to vulnerable populations.
Administratively, six new civil registry offices opened at a cost of nearly 7.7 million CFA francs. Economically, 133 million CFA francs were directed towards building and rehabilitating local markets.
Environmental efforts included 52 million CFA francs allocated to sanitation and waste management initiatives across 18 neighborhoods. Education also saw investments, with the rehabilitation or construction of several school facilities.
"The achievements are commendable, but challenges remain," said Winny Dogbatsè, Mayor of Kloto 1. "It’s essential to strengthen collaboration between local stakeholders and the population to turn these challenges into opportunities."
According to the fifth General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-5) conducted in November 2022, Kloto 1 has a population of 118,387 residents.
Esaïe Edoh