Since the last local elections held in June 2019, Togo has been actively engaged in its decentralization process. And while Lomé’s efforts resulted in greater involvement of citizens, many of whom are now ready to take part in their municipalities’ activities and strongly adhere to the principles of good governance, some bridges still need to be built between local elected officials and populations. This is the conclusion of an Afrobarometer survey on decentralization and control of public action published in December 2021. The study was based on a sample population of 1,200 adult citizens interviewed between December 2020 and January 2021.

To participate or not in municipal activities, that is the question

According to the study, three-quarters of Togolese (74%) say they are somewhat willing to participate in municipality-related activities, and more than half (58%) of the sample pool have done so at least once in the past 12 months. 

As for actually participating in community meetings, about six in 10 Togolese (58%) say they have done so at least once in the past 12 months, including 23% who claim to have taken part in the meetings "often", 26% said they did "a few times" and only 8% attended "once or twice”. In comparison, only 6% said they would never participate in a community meeting.

Based on the study’s results, people in rural areas are as involved in community meetings as those living in cities. The same evidence stands between the less and more educated people, as well as for people living in the north and south.

Kara stands as an example regarding municipal involvement

Nationwide, across all 117 municipalities of the country, "rural residents (79%), the less educated (78%) and the people of the Kara region (88%) are more willing to perform this civic act - men (77%) and women (73%) support it", the study reveals.

In contrast to Kara, interest is lower in the Maritime region, especially in the capital Lomé. Indeed, "the lack of initiative to discuss matters concerning the management of the municipality is much more accentuated in Lomé (55%) and the Maritime region (57%), in urban areas (53%), among women (52%) and the less affluent (51%)," the report points out, although few reasons were advanced to explain these differences.

Little interaction between local elected officials and populations

At the same time, while the Togolese say they are interested in the activities of their municipalities, there is still a gap between the population and local elected officials. "An overwhelming majority (81%) of Togolese say they have never reached out to a local elected official in the last 12 months," the pan-African pollster points out. 

Moreover, "the same proportion believes that local leaders "never" listen (52%) or listen "only a few times" (31%) to what ordinary citizens have to say."

In this regard, Afrobarometer suggests "strengthening initiatives at both the central and local levels" to "increase awareness about good governance principles and participation mechanisms" to get people more involved.

The Togolese value good governance (above all)

The survey also shows that citizens are overwhelmingly attached to the principles of good governance. Thus, three-quarters (74%) of respondents are in favor of the accountability of the President of the Republic to the National Assembly and affirm that the Head of State must always obey the laws and court decisions...even if he thinks they are wrong (77% believe that). A large majority (85%) believe that any government, no matter how popular, must always abide by the law. 

In the same vein, more than half (56%)  of the population believe that the President of the Republic "never" or "rarely" ignores parliament and the laws of the land (53%), according to Afrobarometer.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Last year, Togo’s implementation rate for WAEMU reforms and policies stood at 78.2%, almost the same as in 2020 when the figure was 78%. Regarding programs and projects, the related implementation rate registered by the country was 89.28%, up from 78.15% in 2020. 

The figures were disclosed during the 7th annual review of WAEMU reforms, policies, and programs held on Jan 25th, in Lomé. The review was headed by the President of the WAEMU Commission, Abdoulaye Diop, and the Togolese Minister of Economy and Finance, Sani Yaya.

For Yaya, Togo’s performances are the culmination of its government’s efforts. Among others, these include adopting laws relating to public procurement and public-private partnerships (PPP), elaborating and publishing assessment reports on tax expenditures for the years 2019 and 2020, and launching the Togo Digital Agency (ATD) whose goal is to help institutions and ministries dematerialize their processes and services.

Between 2018 and 2021, the rate of implementation of WAEMU reforms rose from 64% to 78.2%, respectively, thus corresponding to an average increase of 7% per annum. The implementation rate of programs for its part rose from 57% to 89.3%, over the same period.

"Over the past three years, Togo has distinguished itself as one of the WAEMU countries that have recorded encouraging results. These results confirm the sustained commitment of the Togolese authorities to implement these reforms, although some laws are yet to be transposed or applied," the Minister of Finance declared.

Abdoulaye Diop, for his part, lauded the "significant" progress made relative to the implementation of the reforms. The improvement, he added, is "the result of the multifaceted support of the Technical and Financial Partners who trust Togo in its determined march towards progress and economic development for the benefit of its people.”

 Esaïe Edoh 

The Association of Large Enterprises of Togo (AGET) signed a partnership agreement with the National Coalition for Youth Employment (CNEJ) last weekend. This happened during a grand gathering of the AGET in Lomé. 

The agreement provides mainly the establishment of a mentoring program for young entrepreneurs - an initiative that will, according to the government, help "bolster international cooperation and the regional position of Togo in trade." Myriam Dossou-d'Almeida, Minister for Grassroots Development and Youth Employment, represented the government at the event. 

For its part, the AGET believes that the partnership will help increase support to the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The AGET regroups limited companies under Togolese law, and private firms operating in the customs, industry, and services sectors. Its members have a turnover greater than or equal to 2 billion CFA francs for manufacturers, and greater than or equal to 500 million CFA francs for those in the service sector. The Association is estimated to contribute respectively 20% and 30% of Togo's GDP and its tax and customs earnings. 

In November 2020, as the COVID-19 caused economic activities to slow down, the AGET made various suggestions to revive Togo's economic machine after the crisis. 

Esaïe Edoh

Under the finance law drawn for the 2022 fiscal year, the Togolese government intends to devote CFA518 billion to investment projects that are part of its Public Investment Program (PIP). The forecast is well above last year's projections which were revised to CFA392 billion following the October collective. 

The projected public investment spending should make up about 40% of the overall budget expenditures forecast for 2022. The country plans to finance CFA194 billion or 37% of the amount from internal resources. Regarding the remaining CFA324 billion, it is expected to come from donors (CFA178 billion) and lenders (CFA145 billion).

Overall, in addition to non-PIP expenditures, estimated at CFA17 billion, capital expenditures could reach CFA535 billion by 2022. These funds will especially serve to support the "Togo 2025" roadmap, which prioritizes social inclusion and employment. Projects falling under this roadmap span a wide range of areas, from the digital economy to coastal protection, energy, access to drinking water, strengthening the urban and rural road network, and education. 

According to the Minister of Economy and Finance, Sani Yaya, "nearly 61% of the projects and reforms" contained in the roadmap "have been started" and are "in their implementation phases."

Togolese ministers adopted last Thursday, Jan 20, a new draft decree relative to the creation of administrative subdivisions across the country.

"This draft law aims to create in the territorial communities "regions" managed by elected regional councilors who will, in turn, appoint regional executives who will play an important role in local development," reads the communiqué sanctioning the Council of Ministers held that day. 

For the authorities, this is an important step toward regional elections. "The creation of these regional territorial authorities is crucial in the preparation of the upcoming regional elections," the communiqué notes.

In effect, the bill will turn Togo’s five regions into "territorial communities", just like its municipalities which are defined as "legal persons of public law with financial autonomy." The move falls under recent efforts to accelerate decentralization and strengthen local freedoms.

Besides the draft decree, the ministers, during the same council, adopted a new charter for political parties, after consultations between political actors, aimed at adapting this framework "to current realities."

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo successfully closed an issue of fungible Treasury bonds on the WAMU-securities market last Friday. The country retained CFA37 billion via the operation which matures over seven (7) years and has an interest rate of 5.80%. 

Lomé was looking for CFA35 billion but mobilized a total of CFA84 billion, through 29 subscriptions from investors based in Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, Niger, Burkina-Faso, and Togo itself. Comparing the total amount raised to that retained, the issue recorded a coverage rate of 240%.

It should be highlighted that this is Togo’s second issue on the regional market in 2022. It secured CFA27.5 billion from the first issue and eyes CFA533 billion for the whole year.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo expects CFA814 billion of tax earnings this year. The target, set in the 2022 budget law passed at the end of December 2021, will be used to finance its expenditures.

Compared to 2021 when CFA780 billion was raised, earnings that the country’s tax authority hopes to mobilize in 2022 are 4.5% higher.

Out of the CFA814 billion expected, CFA420 billion should be mobilized by the Tax Office, and CFA397 billion by the Customs and Excise Office.

It should be recalled that the OTR recently initiated various steps to achieve its objective. These include broadening the tax base, strengthening control measures, fighting tax fraud and evasion, and simplifying tax procedures.

For 2022, budget revenues are forecast at CFA1,330 billion, compared to CFA1,219.3 billion in 2021, up 9.1% year-on-year. To achieve this objective, the government plans to collect CFA58.3 billion in non-tax revenues and nearly CFA200 billion in grants from its partners. The remainder will be financed by debt, the bulk of which should be mobilized on the UMOA-titres public securities market.