The Togolese government will spend CFA19 billion on water supply projects this year. This is 5% more than last year and 86% of the budget set for the Ministry of Water in 2025. 

The CFA19 billion will finance various projects falling under Togo’s clean water supply strategy, launched in February 2021. 

One key initiative is the PASSCO3, which aims to improve sanitary conditions in rural areas and schools in the Kara and Savanes regions. As part of this initiative, 850 boreholes with human-powered pumps will be set up, providing drinking water to over 200,000 people in rural areas by the end of 2025.

Additionally, Togo will enhance the water supply in Lomé by equipping a 40-cubic-meter-per-hour borehole in Apédokoe, in the South- West of Grand Lomé, and constructing a new 1,300-cubic-meter water tower in Sagbado, in Commune 7 in the South West of Grand-Lomé.

The Togo Urban Water Security Project (PaSH-MUT), launched in October 2023, also supports this effort. It aims to install six autonomous drinking water systems in Lomé’s outskirts to address urban demand.

Togo seeks to provide clean water to 85% of the population by the end of this year, and 100% by 2030. According to the Ministry of Water and Village Hydraulics, drinking water coverage increased from 47.66% in 2014 to 69% in 2023.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

In Togo, 72 decentralized financial systems (DFS) are now officially recognized. These include credit unions and savings banks, the Ministry of Economy and Finance reported on January 9.

These institutions include credit unions, mutual funds, and savings banks. Among them are six major microfinance networks, which regroup 85 basic credit unions.

The largest and oldest network is the Faîtière des Unités Coopératives d'Épargne et de Crédit du Togo (FUCEC-Togo), which includes 43 basic credit unions.

These institutions play an important role in financing economic activities. They provide loans to businesses in various sectors, helping to boost the national economy.

By the end of H1 2024, loans from SFDs reached nearly CFA400 billion, up 13% year-on-year. At the same time, membership grew by 8% to 4.2 million. This shows how important decentralized financial systems are becoming in Togo and their ability to meet the needs of the Togolese people.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo will spend CFA32 billion on its decentralization and deconcentration efforts this year. This is 91% of the Ministry of Decentralization’s total budget of CFA35 billion. The funds will help support local governments and establish regional councils and governors.

The Ministry will primarily provide technical and administrative support to these local entities as powers are gradually transferred to them. This aims to help local authorities better meet the needs of their communities.

Togo has been strengthening local structures since 2019 by creating 117 communes. This year, these communes will hold elections to renew their municipal councils. Regional councils will also start their work in January and play an important role in local governance. These new bodies are meant to increase the independence of local authorities in managing public affairs.

Governors, whose appointments were mostly completed in 2024 except for the Central Region, will ensure that public policies are applied consistently, at the local level.

To decentralize further, the government plans to allocate CFA10 billion to communes through the Territorial Authorities Support Fund (FACT) in the fiscal year 2025.

Esaïe Edoh

Since adopting the military programming law in December 2020, Togo has allocated CFA624.8 billion to its armed forces. According to the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the sum amounts to 86.5% of the CFA722.3 billion forecast for the five years covered by the military program.

The funds should bolster Togo’s armed forces amidst increasing security challenges, with Operation Koundjoaré being a key focus.

The Ministry is also working to address staffing shortages, achieving an implementation rate of 89%. More military staff will be recruited this year, as noted in a report presented to the National Assembly.

Some budget adjustments have been necessary. For instance, in 2024, funding for operational capabilities was reduced from CFA28 billion to CFA12 billion. However, this decrease will be partially offset by a new program worth CFA173 billion planned for 2027. The government is discussing financing solutions with the Ministry of Economy and Finance to enhance logistical support and acquire necessary equipment.

These adjustments are crucial as security and stability remain top priorities for Togo, especially in the northern region near the Sahel, which faces threats from terrorism.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo is working with Africa50, a pan-African financial institution focused on infrastructure, to monetize the Lomé-Kpalimé road project. On January 10, Togolese Prime Minister Victoire Tomégah Dogbé met with a delegation from the institution in this framework.

"Africa50 is very interested in investing in infrastructure projects in Togo, and so we have an innovative infrastructure asset recycling project in Togo that we are in the process of setting up, and I hope to be able to announce the finalization of this project very soon," said Alain Ebobissé, Managing Director of Africa50.

Announced at Africa50's General Meeting of Shareholders in Lomé in 2023, the asset recycling project seeks to monetize current infrastructure, especially the Lomé-Kpalimé road project, through a concession awarded to private investors. The 120 km road project began in 2020, at an initial cost of CFA214 billion. 

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Togolese Ministry of Trade and Crafts has digitized six of its administrative services. They are available online. 

The six services include important trade procedures such as applying for import authorization certificates for sensitive products, marketing authorizations for food items, importer/exporter cards, and certificates of origin for countries outside ECOWAS.

For crafts, users can now register online for the Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship (CFA) exam and get the CFA diploma.

The online platform allows users to fill out forms, access detailed information about procedures, and receive virtual technical assistance.

Minister Rose Kayi Mivedor said this move shows Togo's commitment to a more efficient and modern administration, making it easier for citizens and businesses.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Last week, Togo and Vietnam inked a new agreement to bolster their 50-year partnership. The agreement–a memorandum of understanding (MoU)-was signed on January 8, by Robert Dussey and Bui Thanh Son, respectively Togo and Vietnam’s ministers of foreign affairs. The new deal covers key sectors like agriculture, trade, investment, and telecommunications.

The agreement was signed during Dussey's official visit to Vietnam. 

J’ai signé avec mon homologue de la République Socialiste du Vietnam, M. Bui Thanh SON, un mémorandum d’entente sur les consultations politiques entre nos deux ministères. Cet important outil de concertation permettra de renforcer davantage notre coopération dans les domaines de… pic.twitter.com/CDLveWc337

— Robert Dussey (@rdussey) January 9, 2025

"I signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations between our two ministries with my counterpart from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Bui Thanh Son. This important tool for consultation will enable us to further strengthen our cooperation in the fields of agriculture, trade, investment, telecommunications, etc.," Dussey posted on X.

During his visit, Dussey also met with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong to discuss new collaboration opportunities. 

Togolese businesses, especially in agriculture and tech, should benefit from the boosted collaboration with Vietnam, as the Asian nation made significant progress in these sectors in recent years.

Togo plans to spend CFA1.42 billion in 2025 to fight flooding, a common problem in the capital and other areas. The Ministry of Water and Sanitation said it would the funds to improve sanitation and drainage systems in areas most affected by heavy rains.

One major project is to improve rainwater drainage in Tokoin-Dogbeavou. This project has been ongoing for several years. 

Besides, Togo will continue to install and upgrade pumping systems in Greater Lomé, especially in Awatame, Gbomamé, and Atilamonou. The systems help quickly flush rain water, thus curbing flooding risks during heavy rains.

"Interventions will also be carried out on other depressions with pumps already available purchased or repaired during this year 2024," said the Ministry.

These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to bolster infrastructure resilience against climate-related challenges.

Esaïe Edoh