Togo First
Togo: Key Highlights in Education for 2024
There were many developments in Togo’s education and training sectors last year. Find below the top five.
Strict Ban on the Use of Cell Phones in Schools
On September 5, 2024, an interministerial note issued by Ministers Dodzi Kokoroko (Primary and Secondary Education) and Isaac Tchiakpe (Technical Education and Vocational Training) formally prohibited the use of cell phones for students in public and private schools, starting from the new school year on September 16.
Teachers Expelled for Rape (August)
On November 8, 2024, several teachers and principals were dismissed or banned for violating the code of ethics and professional conduct. They were found guilty of sexually harassing or raping students.
Introduction of "Project Schools" into the School Curriculum (September)
At the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, Togo introduced "project schools," which aim to combine theory and practice in education. These schools encourage students to carry out concrete projects related to their learning.
Launch of Construction of 263 Classrooms through the PAQEEB Project (October)
On October 15, 2024, Togo launched Phase 2 of its school infrastructure construction program. This phase includes building 263 classrooms to strengthen educational infrastructure by 2025, financed by CFA36 billion from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the World Bank (WB).
Launch of the 5th Cohort of the Presidential Excellence Program
On October 16, 2024, Togo's presidency announced the launch of the 5th cohort of the Presidential Program of Excellence (PPE). This phase selected students from Togo's public and private universities based on excellence and merit for training in public administration.
Extension of Universal Health Insurance (UHI) Program to Students
On October 10, 2024, the Togolese government announced that the Universal Health Insurance program would extend to students in public schools. This program enables students to access health services through AMU via INAM.
State Officially Accreditates 79 Private Universities (November)
According to a list published by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, Togo has officially accreditated 79 private higher education establishments, including 68 in Greater Lomé and 11 others in the interior.
Energy-Mining: Last Year Was Busy in Togo
In Togo, things moved a lot in 2024 in the energy and mining sectors. The country took on new solar projects, sealed strategic partnerships, and launched various initiatives to power the economy. In this article, find some of 2024’s highlights.
Forecast Energy Budget of CFA57 Billion
In 2024, the Togolese government allocated CFA57 billion for the energy sector. This funding supported initiatives like the CIZO program, a project to electrify 317 localities, and the expansion of the Blitta solar power plant. Both initiatives align with Lomé”s ambition to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030.
National Electrification Rate on the Rise
Togo has been undergoing an energy transformation for over a decade. The national electrification rate increased from 23% in 2010 to 60% in 2021, projected to reach around 70% by the end of 2024. Programs like the CIZO, the Tinga Fund for electricity connections, and new solar power plants, contributed to the surge.
Electricity disruptions and rationing
Last year, outages were significant, mainly due to a supply crisis regionwide. To curb persistent load shedding, the government has gone the rationing route.
Summit on Energy Cooperation in West Africa in Lomé
From December 3 to 5, 2024, Lomé hosted the first summit focused on regional energy cooperation. Experts from 16 countries gathered to discuss infrastructure investments, cross-border collaborations, and renewable energy development.
Strategic Agreements with Haier and RELP
During the summit, Togo signed agreements with Haier and RELP to enhance solar energy storage and improve photovoltaic production. These efforts align with Togo's goal of achieving 50% renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030.
Agreement for Micro-Nuclear Reactors
On December 2, 2024, Togo signed a key agreement with Nano Nuclear Energy, to generate power from micro-nuclear reactors. Under this cooperation, Lomé plans to establish the Togo Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) to oversee the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
$200 Million for Energy Reforms
Last month, the World Bank approved a $200 million financing package for Togo. This funding will support energy reforms, including a new tariff structure and initiatives for sustainable agriculture and climate change adaptation.
While there are still roadblocks, including cyclical crises and other issues in the way of Lomé’s universal access to electricity target, the work done in 2024 could propel Togo's energy transition and create a more resilient system for 2025.
Dapaong Solar Power Plant Project Tender
In April 2024, Togo announced an international call for tenders for a 25 MW solar power plant in Dapaong, complete with a 40 MWh energy storage system. The project aims to boost access to electricity in the north, under the Programme d'Urgence de Renforcement de la Résilience dans la Région des Savanes (PURS).
Prices Down
In December 2024, the government announced a reduction in the kilowatt-hour rate for some of the public utility’s customers. The goal is to make electricity more affordable for low-income households.
Progress in Mining Transparency
Togo scored 74 out of 100 on its implementation of the 2019 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standard, reflecting improvements in mining sector transparency.
Gautier Agbekodovi
Togo Enforces New SIM Card Registration Rules
Togo is implementing new rules for SIM card registration. A government decree issued on December 26, 2024, mandates that all users of electronic communication services must be identified before accessing these services.
ControlledSIM Sales
The sale of pre-activated or pre-identified SIM cards is now banned. Additionally, users can hold a maximum of three SIM cards per operator.
Telecom operators must also maintain a complete database of their subscribers and submit quarterly reports to authorities.
These measures aim to enhance subscriber traceability and combat fraud and cybercrime. As of March 2024, Togo had about 7.3 million mobile subscribers, indicating a penetration rate of 87.5%, up from 9% in Q2 2023.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo Postpones First Senatorial Elections
Togo should have held its first senatorial elections on 2 February 2025, but the polls have been postponed to an unspecified date. The Council of Ministers announced this change on December 26, 2024.
It was the Cadre Permanent de Concertation (CPC), a coalition of political parties, that suggested the postponement. They requested more time to submit candidacies, which were due by December 23, 2024. The goal is to improve organization and encourage more participation in these elections, which will be the first of their kind in Togo.
The Council agreed to the request after consulting the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), which will determine the new election date. These elections will fill 41 of the 61 Senate seats; the remaining 20 will be appointed by the President.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Gives CFA60,000 Bonus to Civil Servants and Pensioners
Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé has announced a special bonus of CFA60,000 for civil servants, religious education staff, and pensioners who are part of the Togo Pension Fund. This announcement was made on December 23 in Lomé.
The bonus will use a budget of CFA7.85 billion and is intended to help increase household purchasing power during the festive season. Many Togolese are facing a rising cost of living. According to the statement, "This initiative illustrates the authorities' constant determination to promote national solidarity."
The President urged Togolese citizens to use the end-of-year period to "strengthen social ties" and make the festive season a time for sharing. He expressed optimism about 2025, saying his government would keep focusing on building a better future next year.
This bonus is part of several social measures taken in recent years to support citizens. In December 2021, amid high inflation, President Gnassingbé provided an advance of one month's salary to all civil servants and public-sector pensioners, which was repayable over twelve months starting in January 2022.
In September 2022, the government increased civil servants' salaries by 10% to improve their income. A monthly transport allowance of CFA10,000 was also introduced to help with expenses, and the Guaranteed Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMIG) was raised from CFA35,000 to CFA52,500 CFA starting in January 2023.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
IMF Approves $58.7 Million Disbursement for Togo
On December 20, 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the release of approximately $58.7 million for Togo, as part of the first review of its Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program. This funding is intended for budget support and is part of a larger 42-month agreement worth $390 million, which was established in March 2024.
The facility will help bolster the Togolese economy, making it more resilient to crises like COVID-19 and rising food and fuel prices on a global scale. The IMF reported that Togo's economic growth was 5.6% in 2023 and is expected to remain at 5.3% in 2024-2025. Additionally, overall inflation decreased to 3.3% in October 2024, down from much higher levels in previous years.
Despite these positive indicators, Togo faces significant challenges, including ongoing insecurity in the northern region, where sporadic terrorist attacks occur. Besides putting pressure on public finances, these issues make it hard to reduce deficits and improve debt sustainability.
"The Togolese authorities have demonstrated strong implementation of the program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF)," said Bo Li, IMF Deputy Managing Director. "Despite security challenges and difficult financing conditions, they have met all quantitative targets and made progress on structural reforms to strengthen revenue mobilization, inclusion, and public financial management."
The IMF encourages the government to continue its structural reforms, particularly in the financial sector, as it restructures its last public bank. The IMF also welcomed the authorities' commitment to improving transparency in public procurement management.
"It will also be essential to pursue efforts to strengthen governance. The authorities' recent request for an IMF governance diagnostic is welcome, as is their commitment to strengthen declarations of beneficial ownership for companies benefiting from public contracts," the IMF stated.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
Togo Starts Updating National Climate Change Plan
Togo is updating its National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC). The project kicked off on December 23, in Lomé. The PNACC addresses climate change impacts, including irregular rainy seasons, agricultural land degradation, and heightened natural disaster risks.
Environment Director Méry Yaou emphasized the need for regular updates to the plan. "It is essential to reassess the measures taken, integrate new challenges and emerging needs, and propose initiatives to help populations and ecosystems adapt sustainably," she stated.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) backs the update. Commenting on the project, Oyetunde Diwa, a Program Officer at FAO, said: "When it comes to climate change, every life counts. We are working to identify and validate priority adaptation options, with a focus on financing them”.
The original PNACC was validated in May 2017 and outlined significant changes in Togo's climate system due to natural and human factors. The five-year plan focused on three strategic areas: integrating climate adaptation into planning documents, implementing adaptation options and capacity building, and mobilizing financing for adaptation. These priorities will be maintained but adapted to current conditions.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: EU Supports State Budget with CFA12.8 Billion Grant
The European Union (EU) will support the Togolese State budget with CFA12.8 billion. The Togolese Ministry of Economy and Finance announced the news via a press release issued on December 23.
According to the source, Lomé will use the funding, a grant, to implement the Togo 2025 Roadmap.
Togolese authorities noted that this support follows a prior assessment showing significant progress in key areas like decentralization, sustainable agribusiness, and improved access to basic social services for vulnerable populations.
For Sandra Ablamba Johnson, Minister, and Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic, the facility recognizes efforts made by the Togolese government to implement its priorities. "On behalf of the President of the Republic, I would like to express my gratitude to the European Union for the quality of the partnership and, above all, for its support in implementing projects and programs to promote the population’s wellbeing," she declared.
"This is the fruit of ongoing work and dialogue between the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the sectoral Ministries concerned by this budgetary support, and the European Union," added Essowè Georges Barcola, Minister of Economy and Finance.
The European side said the facility aims to bolster its partnership with Togo. "This donation to the State budget illustrates the close partnership between the European Union and Togo," said Gwilym Jones, EU Ambassador to Togo.
The EU-Togo partnership, which extends until 2027, is expected to mobilize several hundred million euros for priority projects through budget support, loans, grants, guarantees, and technical assistance.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Raises 2024 Fiscal Year Budget by 3.3%
Togo's Council of Ministers approved an amending finance bill for the fiscal year 2024 on December 16, increasing the initial budget by 3.3%. This adjustment raises the budget forecast to CFA2,250.6 billion; it integrates an increase in budget revenues and cash resources.
In detail, budget revenues increased by CFA63.4 billion (5%), totaling CFA1,343.5 billion, compared to the initial forecast of CFA1,279.1 billion. The rise was primarily driven by a 6.8% increase in tax revenues, from CFA1,042 billion to CFA1,113 billion.
Non-tax revenues also rose by CFA10.2 billion, to CFA71 billion. Additionally, budgetary support from external contributions increased by 31%, reaching CFA16.7 billion from CFA12.7 billion.
Cash resources grew by CFA5.4 billion, totaling CFA901.2 billion compared to the initial budget of CFA895.9 billion.
The government stated that this revision reflects the integration of new budgetary priorities amid economic uncertainties at both sub-regional and international levels. These adjustments aim to strengthen the State's capacity to address the economic and social challenges of 2024.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: SOTRAL Implements Fare Reductions for Public Transport
Société des Transports de Lomé (SOTRAL) has announced a fare reduction for urban transport in Togo, starting December 23, 2024. The price for trips that used to cost CFA150 will now be CFA100, a 33% decrease. Other fares are also being lowered: routes that cost CFA250 will now be CFA200, and those priced at CFA300 will drop to CFA250. Even the highest fares, which were CFA350, will now be CFA300.
SOTRAL said this change aims to make transportation more affordable for people in Lomé, especially given the high cost of living.
Lower prices for petroleum products
This fare reduction follows the Togolese government's recent cut in diesel prices, which dropped from 775 to CFA695 per liter. This decrease helps lower transportation costs.
Before the SOTRAL fare reduction, intercity fares for transporting people and goods had already been lowered on 76 routes across the country. For example, the Lomé-Tsévié route now costs CFA800, while Lomé-Kara is priced at CFA5,850, and Lomé-Mango costs CFA7,500. Routes like Sokodé-Mango and Dapaong-Mandouri are capped at CFA3,000 and CFA1,800, respectively.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi