The inaugural meeting of the Regional Program for the Integration of Agricultural Markets (PRIMA) concluded on December 12, 2024, in Grand-Popo, Benin. This event, organized by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Togo and Benin (CCI-Togo and CCI-Benin), is a significant step forward in fostering agricultural entrepreneurship between the neighboring countries.

The three-day meeting focused on the theme: “Agricultural entrepreneurship in the Benin and Togo corridors: Current situation, issues, challenges, and prospects.” Participants assessed the current landscape of agricultural entrepreneurship in both nations while identifying strategies to create a sustainable and inclusive environment for family farming, particularly focusing on cross-border agricultural trade. Agriculture remains a crucial sector for both Benin and Togo's economies.

During the meeting, both Chambers reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate in enhancing their roles within the agricultural markets of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as part of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The initiative will receive support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which is set to provide technical and financial assistance for achieving the program's objectives.

Françoise Assogba, Secretary General of Benin's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, stated that this project marks a pivotal advancement in integrating agricultural markets between Togo and Benin. She emphasized that the Beninese government is determined to actively contribute to a sustainable agricultural future by leveraging the synergies fostered through this bilateral cooperation.

This initial meeting signifies the beginning of ongoing exchanges between the two Chambers, which share a unified vision for agricultural development. “These initiatives aim to strengthen market interconnections, enhance living conditions for small-scale farmers, and stimulate economic growth in both countries, all within a framework of regional solidarity,” asserted representatives from both chambers.

Esaïe Edoh

The Togolese government has officially recognized 79 private higher education institutions. A list recently published by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research indicates that 68 of the schools are located in Greater Lomé. The remaining 11 are in the interior regions of the country.

The recognized schools comply with the government’s standards, undergo regular inspections, and adhere to regulations enacted by the Council of Ministers on October 30, 2024. These regulations mandate that training programs align with job market needs and comply with standards set by the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES).

The list was released to help students who seek to enroll in schools with adequate academic and international standards and avoid non-accredited schools. The government also hopes that the move will drive unrecognized institutions to meet official requirements, thus contributing to greater quality of higher education in Togo.

Kanka-Malik Natchaba, the Minister for Higher Education, stated that this initiative is crucial for restoring the credibility of Togolese diplomas and ensuring quality training for students. This move comes amid ongoing criticism of the private higher education sector for issues such as insufficient academic rigor and inadequate teaching staff at some institutions.

Togo has two public universities, for now. However, the government plans to establish a university per economic region to accommodate the rising demand for higher education and unclog existing institutions.

Esaïe Edoh

In Togo, eight new trade inspectors dedicated to consumer protection were sworn in on December 13, 2024, at the Lomé court. The chosen eight include five inspectors and three controllers. The inspectors are: Atekpe Makiliwè, Oganto Kokou Ananzè, Gadagbui Kossi Zikpi, Laméga Matiba Alliance, and Katcha Hèzouwè. The controllers are: Souka Atsou, Takassi Gnon Moumouni, and Atcha Yaliou.

The newly appointed officials pledged before the judge to ensure the quality and compliance of products sold within the national territory. “We have a consumer protection function. This involves checks in the field, the withdrawal of counterfeit or unfit-for-consumption products, the recording of offenses and their sanction,” explained Atekpe Makiliwè, Director of Internal Trade and Competition at the Ministry of Commerce.

The swearing-in ceremony concluded a process that included specialized training and a ministerial appointment order under legal requirements. The new inspectors are expected to enhance the capacities of the Ministry of Commerce, particularly in monitoring trade practices.

The day before the ceremony, Minister of Commerce Rose Kayi Mivedor had met with key importers of staple products such as rice and oil to ensure their availability at affordable prices during the festive season when consumption typically rises.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo’s new decentralization strategy, spanning 2024 to 2034, was validated last week in Kara. Held on December 12, the validation workshop gathered key stakeholders in decentralization, including governors, prefects, mayors, general secretaries of prefectures and communes, and representatives of traditional chieftaincies. 

The new strategy, featuring major reforms, aims to revitalize the decentralization process. It is the fruit of a thorough assessment of the decentralization efforts initiated in 2016. This assessment provided a comprehensive overview of current progress, challenges, and opportunities to enhance decentralization by 2034.

The new strategy prioritizes several key areas, such as reinforcing local governance, improving the funding and autonomy of local authorities, effectively transferring powers from the State, and promoting citizen participation in local affairs. 

According to Pali Essossinam, Director of Decentralisation and Local Authorities, decentralization is a dynamic process that requires constant attention and adaptability to effectively meet citizens' expectations. 

The National Decentralisation Strategy should offer a strategic framework that enhances local actors’ capacities and fosters balanced territorial development.

Several partners will support the actions planned under the new strategy–technically and financially. For example, the German Cooperation (GIZ) backs the strategy through the Decentralisation and Good Governance Programme (ProDeG IV). 

The national decentralization strategy has been validated as Togo prepares to conclude the first term for elected municipal representatives in 2025.

Esaïe Edoh

Now more than ever Togo is determined to win over Commonwealth investors. Last week, Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe led a delegation to London for this purpose. They attended a business-focused roundtable organized by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).

During the meeting, PM Tomégah-Dogbe outlined Togo's strategic roadmap, Togo 2025, emphasizing key infrastructure projects such as ports and airports, alongside the Plateforme industrielle d'Adétikopé (PIA). She presented the projects as major catalysts for economic growth and industrial transformation in Togo.

The discussions also highlighted Togo's preferred financing methods, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), concessionary funds, and joint ventures.

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In her appeal to potential investors, the Togolese Prime Minister underscored the necessity of building partnerships founded on trust and mutual prosperity. "We are ready to work hand in hand to turn opportunities into success," she stated, reaffirming Togo's commitment to becoming a prime investment destination.

Pride Azefor, CWEIC's director of trade and investment, noted that several British investors are already eager to invest in Togo, a country "full of opportunities" according to Azefor. 

On the sidelines of the recent roundtable, the Togolese delegation met representatives from UK Export Finance, DMA Invest, and British International Investment. The meetings aimed to pave the way for tangible partnerships to support Togo's key projects.

Esaïe Edoh

Petroleum products cost slightly less in Togo since December 10. Gasoil dropped from CFA775 to CFA695 per liter, down CFA80. Super unleaded, mostly used by vehicles, dropped by CFA20 per liter, from CFA700 to CFA680.

The prices were revised in line with an interministerial decree issued on December 9. The Ministries of Trade, Energy, and Transport signed the decree. 

The order also indicates that the price of the 2-stroke mixture, primarily used for small-capacity engines, drops from CFA788 FCFA to CFA769, a reduction of CFA19. However, the price of kerosene is the same–CFA650 per liter.

This change marks the first alteration in petroleum product prices in two years; the current rates have been stable since their introduction during a previous increase. The adjustment aligns with a global trend of declining petroleum product prices. As of last week, Brent crude was valued at $71 per barrel, despite OPEC+'s decision to delay an anticipated production increase for three months.

Esaïe Edoh

Lomé just hosted the 37th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the Inter-African Conference on Social Security (CIPRES). The program took place on December 9 and 10. It gathered officials and social welfare experts from 18 African countries. 

The talks focused on tackling Africa’s significant challenges in social protection systems. The primary goal was to improve the mobilization of sustainable funds to support social protection projects. 

Participants assessed structural challenges and drew recommendations for African leaders to make life better for their people.

The forum took place as Togo ramps up efforts to boost social coverage. Since January 2024, Lomé has been implementing a Universal Health Insurance (UHI) program designed to ensure equitable healthcare access for all citizens, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. 

This initiative aligns with a broader global movement to break financial barriers that hinder access to medical services, particularly for disadvantaged populations.

Togo reported new investments totaling CFA196.29 billion at the end of September 2024. According to official sources, the amount was generated by 31 new companies, comprising 19 registered under the investment code regime and 12 operating within free zones.

A Significant Distribution of Investments

The breakdown of these investments reveals that a substantial 81% (CFA159 billion) was allocated under the investment code, while activities in free zones accounted for the remaining 19% (CFA37 billion). These investments are projected to create approximately 3,700 jobs, with nearly one-third of these positions located in free zones.

Key Target Sectors

Among the sectors attracting investment under the investment code, agri-food leads with 38% of the financing, followed by industrial plastics processing at 27%, livestock farming at 16%, motorized machinery assembly at 11%, and construction equipment at 8%. In the free trade zone, agro-industrial processing dominates at 28%, with plastics processing at 19% and garment manufacturing at 17%. Other sectors such as paper production, energy, and medical or IT equipment assembling account for 9%, each.

Foreign Investment Dynamics

Foreign capital plays a crucial role in Togo's investment landscape, particularly within the free zone, where 66% of companies are owned by investors from India, Lebanon, and China. Under the investment code regime, foreign ownership stands at 52%, including significant participation from French and Beninese partners.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi