In Q3 2022, Togo’s exports generated CFA140.8 billion for the country. This is 4.3% lower than during the same quarter the previous year, and 12.4% lower than in Q2 2022. The figures were disclosed by Togo’s institute of statistics, INSEED.

Phosphates ("Natural calcium phosphates, natural alumino-calcium phosphates, and phosphate chalk") made up 16.9% of the exports over the quarter under review, with a value of CFA23.76 billion.

They were followed by plastic-made products (“bags, sacks, pouches and plastic cones"), representing 10.5% of total exports. These exports were valued at CFA14.8 billion.

In the third position were “Petroleum or bituminous mineral oils (excluding crude oils).” Generating CFA11.07 billion, these made up 7.9% of the country’s exports.

Cotton and Soybeans

Cosmetics and beauty products (excluding drugs) came fourth. They generated CFA8.6 billion and represented 6.1% of all exports. 

"Clinker" or non-pulverized cement, accounted for 5.9% of Togo's exports in Q3 2022, with a value of CFA8.35 billion. It is thus fifth.

Cotton and soybeans, both cash crops, ranked 6th and 7th, respectively, earning the country CFA8.2 billion (cotton not carded or combed, excluding linters) and CFA5.9 billion. These represent 5.8% and 4.2% of the total exports, for cotton and soybeans, respectively.

The top 10 is rounded off by "Wigs and hair products" (beards, eyebrows, eyelashes, locks, and similar articles made of hair or textile materials), with CFA5.7 billion, or 4.1%; refined palm oil and its fractions, with CFA5.3 billion, for a share of 3.8%; and finally, petroleum bitumen (and other residues of petroleum oils or bituminous minerals), with a value of CFA4.39 billion, for 3.1% of Togo’s exports in Q3 2022

Overall, these 10 products earned Togo CFA96.3 billion, or 68.4% of its exports by value, during the quarter concerned.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

This year, Togo expects to collect CFA912 in tax and customs revenues, according to its 2023 finance bill. This is 12% more than the CFA814 billion expected in 2022. 

In detail, the Tax Office should mobilize CFA472 billion and the Customs and Excise Office, CFA440 billion.

To help these offices achieve their goal, the government will maintain its tax base expansion policy, strengthen measures for controlling and fighting fraud and tax evasion, and further simplify tax procedures.

By September 30, last year, Togo’s general tax office had CFA646 billion or 79% of its annual target already secured. 

Esaïe Edoh 

Togo produced more grains last year than the year before, 2% more to be exact, thus sustaining the sector’s growth dynamic that started in 2018.

Indeed, recent data from the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) puts the country’s grain output in 2022-2023 at 1.433 million metric tons, against 1.404 million metric tons in 2021-2022. 

In 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively, Togo produced 1.19 million Mt, 1.26 million Mt, and 1.35 million Mt of grains according to the BCEAO. 

In 2021, the production of corn, the most consumed cereal in the country, stood at 929,000 tons (up by 4.5% YoY), while the production of paddy rice and millet-sorghum stood at 165,50 tons (+3.5%) and 304,600 tons (down by 2,000 t).

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

For its first issue on the UEMOA market this year, which will close on January 13,  Togo will seek CFA30 billion. 

The corresponding operation is a simultaneous issue of fungible treasury bonds. The securities have a nominal value of CFA10,000, respective maturities of 3 and 7 years, and interest rates of 5.3% and 5.9%. 

According to the terms and conditions of the issue, the operation’s proceeds should allow Togo to finance its annual budget; the latter stands at CFA1,957 billion (revenues and expenditures). 

Last year, Lomé raised CFA473 billion on the same market, against a forecast of CFA663 billion under the amending finance law 2022. This year, the country plans to raise CFA574 billion on the UEMOA market to finance its budget. 

Esaïe Edoh

This year, Togo intends to borrow CFA557 billion from the regional money market to finance its annual budget (of about CFA2,000 billion). 

This is less than the amount expected in the 2022 rectifying finance bill, knowingly CFA663 billion. 

Also, data from the UMOA-securities agency indicates that Togo, last year, raised 473 billion from regional investors, thus 71% of its annual target.

Compared to 2021 when the country raised 557 billion, the amount raised in 2022 was down by 17%, and by about 32% compared to 2020 (623 billion).

Esaïe Edoh 

Togo’s new press code will come into force on January 7, 2023. It was adopted in 2020 but its implementation was delayed to give press actors enough time to adapt to the changes it brings.

These changes include, notably, the conditions to be recognized as a journalist in Togo, the creation of "press companies" instead of "organs" of the press, the decriminalization of press offenses, and the rights and duties of journalists.

According to the new code, a journalist, to be recognized as such, must either hold a professional diploma in journalism issued by a State-accreditated journalism college or training institute; or have at least a bachelor's degree or an equivalent diploma recognized by the State with a minimum professional experience of three years, or five years (for those without a bachelor), working as a journalist in a media company.

The code also bars communication officers, public relations officers, or anyone in a similar position, from working as a journalist. It also enshrines the principle of state support for the press and creates a fund to support the press sector.

Let it be recalled that in October 2022, the Togolese government signed with representatives of the private sector (leaders of trade unions and employers' organizations of the private press in Togo), a collective agreement for journalists and media professionals in Togo. The move which ended years of negotiations started after the general states of the press, in 2014, was a major milestone in updating of Togo’s press regulatory framework.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi