Togo First
Togo: Ministry of Health Seeks Firm to Audit PR4SP Health Support Project
The Togolese Ministry of Health seeks a firm to audit the PR4SP, a project launched last June and aimed at bolstering the country’s basic health system.
In addition to carrying out the financial and accounting audit of the project, the selected firm will verify the conformity of contracts awarded in its framework, throughout the 2023-2026 period.
Firms interested have until September 29, 2023, to apply, according to the tender notice.
Drawn in line with the government’s 2020-2025 roadmap, the PR4SP puts emphasis on access to health services for all.
The four-year project is backed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), with $63 million.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Announces Introduction of English in Preschool and Primary Education
Starting from the next academic year, which opens on September 25th, English will be taught in all preschools and primary schools across Togo. The news, which aims to further integrate the language into the country’s education system, was announced last Friday by the Minister of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education, Komla Dodzi Kokoroko.
"The pilot phase of introducing English at the preschool and primary levels will begin in the 2023-2024 academic year at selected schools, focusing solely on the preparatory course level (CP). Other levels will be incorporated in the following years," the Minister said.
The move aligns with the government's vision of equipping young students with linguistic and communicative skills in English. It is also influenced by Togo’s recent adhesion (June 2022) to the Commonwealth in June 2022.
A committee has been set up to steer the initiative, and it has been actively working on providing various resources, including both physical and digital educational materials, audio recordings, videos, guides, textbooks, and tutorials for lesson planning.
Esaïe Edoh
Florence Yawa Ahofa Kouigan: A New Era for Togo's Governmental Communication
Following her recent appointment as Togo’s new minister of communication, Yawa Kouigan said she “will work tirelessly to promote information for our citizens, to enhance the pedagogy of governmental action, to structure the media landscape for dynamic, innovative, and transparent communication in the service of the nation.”
From the Private Sector to Politics
Born in November 1979, Florence Yawa Ahofa Kouigan boasts a diverse career, stretching from university education to the private sector, the judiciary, and finally, politics. After getting a degree in private law, with a specialization in business law from the University of Benin (now the University of Lomé), Kouigan began her career at Ecobank as a Legal Advisor, gathering experiences in Business and Corporate Communications.
However, in 2007, her career took a significant turn and she slowly moved into politics. In 2010, she became assistant coordinator of the European Union's electoral observation mission; a position which allowed her to emerge as a key player in Togo's electoral circles.
In 2017, she was appointed as a member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), a decision that caused a stir, due to her allegiance to the ruling party, the UNIR, which she joined in 2012. Ignoring the critics, she became the CENI’s communication lead in 2018, during the legislative elections.
Kouigan’s online presence, on Twitter especially, combined with her position in the presidential cabinet since 2011, has made her a prominent figure in Togo's communication board. In 2019, she became the Deputy Director of Information and Communication for the Presidency, alongside Toba Tanama.
The same year, she became the mayor of Atakpamé and the first female president of the Communes of Togo Association (FCT) in 2020. Last August, she was elected as the Vice-President of the Council of Local Authorities of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (CCT-UEMOA).
In October 2021, Yawa Kouigan took the helm of the Ifodje Football Club d'Atakpamé from UNIR deputy Michel Amétodji, with Akodah Ayewouadan, her predecessor in the communication and media portfolio, also a native of Ogou 1, at her side.
Challenges Ahead
As the new minister of communication, Yawa Kouigan will have to overcome multifaceted challenges. Some of the issues she will have to tackle include disinformation, a task that requires striking a balance between regulation and freedom of speech. Also, the official will have to uphold or enhance press freedom standards, an area where Togo has made some progress in recent years, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Regulating social media and online platforms is another problem Kouigan will have to address with extreme care, as political decisions here can have significant repercussions, both locally and internationally.
It should be noted, however, that Yawa Kouigan is not the government’s spokesperson for communication. That position has been assigned to Secretary-General Christian Trimua. This means the two officials will closely collaborate for cohesive messaging and strategic alignment.
Furthermore, awaiting her immediate attention are crucial matters like the upcoming elections within the High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (Haac), reforms to professionalize the press sector, the creation of press companies, modernizing the Togolese Television (TVT) and regional radios, and transitioning to digital terrestrial television (TNT).
Kouigan's tenure promises to be eventful and potentially transformative for Togo's media and communication landscape. Only time will tell how these challenges are navigated and what imprint she will leave on Togo's governmental communication.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
Togo to Facilitate Access to Humanitarian Aid for the People of Niger
Togo is ready to help Niger’s people get humanitarian aid. Robert Dussey, the Togolese minister of foreign affairs, said so in a note to the president of the ECOWAS commission on September 15, 2023. The official expressed Togo's readiness to "facilitate the operations of the United Nations humanitarian agencies providing crucial assistance to vulnerable populations amidst the ongoing political and security crisis."
Togo’s support comes in response to a request from UN agencies, specifically the UN’s Under-Secretary-General responsible for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordination. The UN official urged the ECOWAS to ease the delivery of humanitarian aid to Niger. This is significant because Togo and other countries in the sub-region have stopped trading with Niger after the coup that overthrew former President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023.
Lomé's support, however, does not negate the suspension of trade and transit with Niger, which were halted on August 1. Instead, this stance is driven by Togo's recognition of the "best interests of the fraternal Nigerien people and our community," as articulated by Togolese diplomacy in their acceptance letter.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Records Another Successful Issuance on the WAEMU Market, Secures CFA32 Billion
On Friday, September 15, 2023, the Togolese government successfully raised XOF32 billion on the West African Economic and Monetary Union’s public securities market. This is XOF2 billion more than Lomé had targeted.
In detail, the country’s treasury raised XOF8 billion through fungible bills, with a 364-day maturity period and variable interest rates. The remaining XOF24 billion were secured via fungible bonds, which were issued for 3 and 5-year durations with annual interest rates of 6% and 6.25%, respectively.
Nineteen (19) investors subscribed to the operation, mobilizing XOF33 billion (but the country retained XOF32 billion, ed. note).
So far this year, Togo has raised XOF580 billion on the WAEMU market, already exceeding its annual target of XOF574 billion.
Earlier this month, the country, it is worth noting, repurchased its securities on the market for XOF17.5 billion.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: UNOWAS Representative Talks Peace and Stability Protection with President Gnassingbé
Leonardo Santos Simão, the representative of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) met with President Faure Gnassingbé, in Lomé, yesterday, September 14. With the Togolese leader, the recently-appointed representative talked about the security and humanitarian issues currently facing the region.
The UN representative, on the occasion, said he was ready to collaborate with Togolese authorities to bolster the UNOWAS’ presence in the region and to better coordinate efforts made by the West African and Sahel countries to preserve peace and stability.
"The President of the Republic shared with me, his vision of the challenges in the region as well as the successes achieved. He especially insisted on the need to work together for the consolidation of peace and stability, the fight against terrorism and climate change," said Santos Simão.
The UNOWAS’ focus on Togo was spurred by the country’s successful interventions aimed at protecting peace and stability in the region.
UNOWAS is responsible for preventive diplomacy, good offices, and political mediation and facilitation efforts in West Africa and the Sahel.
Togo: Lomé to Host the 5th FERIN Fair in November, with Focus on Corporate Social Responsibility
The Togolese capital, Lomé, will host the 5th edition of the FERIN Fair ( Salon de Facilitation des Échanges et Revalorisation des Investissements) on November 5, 2023, Terreau Fertile, the association behind the event announced on September 13.
"Towards inclusive CSR: Engaging businesses for sustainable social impact in Togo" is the theme of the upcoming event, and it will gather public institutions, businesses (small, medium, and large), investors, banks, and students.
The fair will feature a panel on CSR, talks with business personalities, and institutions’ representatives, and exhibitions which will enable businesses to showcase their products and services.
There will also be a Gala and a contest for entrepreneurs with innovative projects.
"This year's program is fairly light, but we know we'll have an impact because the activities have been specifically targeted to meet each of these events with a precise objective," explained Linda Amegan-Ayeh, communications officer for the Terreau Fertile association.
The association expects more than 3,000 people to participate, physically, in the fair, and more than 10,000 online.
Esaïe Edoh
Tourism: Atakpame’s Roc Hotel Reopens on October 1, 2023
In a statement release dated September 13, 2023, Togo’s Ministry of Tourism announced that the Roc Hotel of Atakpamé in the Plateaux region will reopen on October 1. The hotel was closed over the past three months for rehabilitation work.
"The Roc Hôtel of Atakpamé reopens its doors on October 1, 2023, after 3 months of closure for renovation work. As a result, you will now be able to stay here and admire the hotel's panoramic view of the beautiful city of Atakpam," said Dr. Kossi Gbenyo Lamadokou, the Minister in charge.
The renovation of the hotel aimed to make it more comfortable, according to its management. They were undertaken in a context where the government strives to dynamize the local hospitality industry.
A few months ago, the Kara Hotel (412 km north of Lomé) also announced the completion of its renovation.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
SMEs: IFC Invests €15M in Several Countries, Including Togo
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested €15 million in the Joliba Fund I, which is managed by Abidjan-based private equity firm Joliba Capital. The World Bank’s private sector arm announced the investment on September 13.
In its press release, IFC noted that most (80%) of the facility should support SME growth in several countries, including Togo. Other countries to receive the support are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, and Gabon. The source emphasizes that at least 80% of the investment will go to IDA-eligible countries.
In detail, the IFC's contribution includes a €7.5 million equity investment from its SME Ventures program, plus €7.5 million from the International Development Association's (IDA) Private Sector Promotion Window's Blended Finance Facility, designed to reduce the risks associated with investments in low-income countries.
Overall, Joliba Fund I has raised a total of €55 million from commercial investors and development funders such as France's Proparco and the Netherlands' FMO.
In Togo, the IFC has directly poured $300 million into various private projects, spanning sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and urban mobility. More recently, the Corporation signed an agreement with the Association of Large Enterprises of Togo (Association des Grandes Entreprises du Togo or AGET), to support SMEs/SMIs, to help them secure more financing.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: Passenger Traffic at Lomé Airport Reaches 632,083 Heads in H1 2023, Up 25.3% YoY
Passenger traffic at Lomé’s Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport(AIGE) stood at 632,083 heads over the first half of 2023. According to a report published by the Directorate General of Budget and Finance (DGBF), this is 25.3% more than the 472,166 people recorded between January and June 2022.
The DGBF’s report attributes the surge to the opening of new routes, such as the Lomé to Sao Tomé and Principe route (via Libreville) launched in October 2022 by Asky.
Freight and aircraft movements were up by 1.2% and 10.1% respectively over the period under review, according to the report.
The upward movement started in 2021, after a decline in 2020 spurred by Covid. That year, the number of passengers who passed through the AIGE stood at 460,000, against 916,000 in 2019 (-49%).
Since then, the airport’s management aimed to reach 1.5 million passengers by 2025, in line with the government’s goal to make Togo a regional air hub.
Esaïe Edoh