The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo) hosted Farhat Ayesha, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Ghana, on December 3, 2024. The meeting aimed to enhance economic cooperation between Togo and Pakistan.

The discussions focused on key sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, hotels, tourism, health, and the textile industry. Péyébinesso Limazie, the Commissioner responsible for the Services Sector at CCI-Togo, outlined key flagship projects planned to invigorate these sectors over the next five years.

High Commissioner Ayesha emphasized Pakistan's interest in Togolese cotton and ambition to deepen trade in the agricultural and textile sectors. Pakistan has great expertise in these sectors.

If effective, the collaboration could yield a formal agreement between the chambers of commerce of both countries. It could also lead to bilateral economic missions for greater trade.

Thanks to scholarships from Islamabad, Togo is already active in the health sector, which could catalyze renewed momentum in Togo-Pakistan relations. This growing collaboration may foster further advancements in health initiatives and other sectors.

Both parties identified simplifying trade and consular procedures as a priority to facilitate smoother economic interactions, according to statements from CCI-Togo.

The Togolese High Commission for Reconciliation and the Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN) is renaming several streets and public squares in the country. The project kicked off on December 10, 2024, in Lomé. It is part of efforts to provide memorial reparations.

The goal is to honor significant but overlooked historical figures and to redefine important dates in Togo's socio-political history from 1958 to 2005. 

An upcoming list of names and important dates is being assembled.

Over three days, various stakeholders including government officials, local leaders, and civil society representatives will collaborate to create a consensus list of individuals and events to commemorate.

For Awa Nana-Daboya, President of the HCRRUN, the project follows the recommendations of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (CVJR). 

Among others, the CVJR suggested repatriating Sylvanus Olympio's remains to Togo for burial. Olympio is viewed as the father of the nation. 

Nana-Daboya pointed out: “The CVJR's recommendation is to transfer the remains because the late Sylvanus Olympio belongs to Togo”.

Parallel efforts for financial and memorial compensation

Additionally, HCRRUN has compensated nearly 30,000 victims of political violence since its inception. The current phase aims to establish a unified collective memory. Nana-Daboya stated, “Future generations must read Togo's history and find the names of figures like Tavio Amorin engraved on steles.”

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) is holding a public auction of 3,425 lots, which includes 41 used cars, 16 tricycles, and 27 motorcycles. The auction takes place today, December 12, at the Special Customs Intervention Unit (USID) locations in Ségbé and Tsévié.

This event is open to the public but comes with specific conditions. Bids will go to the highest bidder, with cash payments required plus an additional 12% for immediate removal of items. Participants must also pay a non-refundable registration fee of CFA5,000 to the Litigation Division of the Intelligence and Anti-Fraud Department.

The ongoing auction aims to optimize the management of goods seized by Togolese tax authorities and generate revenue for the State. It also provides an opportunity for buyers to acquire goods at competitive prices.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo is the guest of honor at the 13th International Crafts Fair for Women (SAFEM) taking place in Niamey, Niger. A delegation of about fifty Togolese craftswomen, led by Professor Kossivi Hounake, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Trade, Crafts, and Local Consumption, represents the country at the event.

The Togolese delegation has showcased cultural performances featuring traditional dances such as Bobobo, Simpa, and Kamou, and typical Togolese dishes highlighting the country's culinary diversity. 

This event serves as a platform to promote Togolese crafts. Professor Kossivi Hounake noted that “handicrafts in Togo involve around one million people across 166 trades organized into eight professional branches.”

Togo’s craft sector is structured through 44 local chambers, six regional Chambers of Crafts (CRM), and a national organization called the Union of Regional Chambers of Trade (UCRM). Togo owes the place of guest of honor to its efforts to promote crafts and empower women in this field. 

In 2023, for example, Togo dedicated the Togo International Handicraft Market (MIATO) to women's crafts under the theme “Crafts in the era of women's empowerment and digital.”

SAFEM 2024, which runs until December 15, provides an important platform for enhancing collaboration among craft sector participants, showcasing innovations, and fostering regional partnerships.

Esaïe Edoh

After a successful first edition held last week, from December 3 to 5, Togo will again host the West African Energy Cooperation Summit (WA-ECS) next year. Abdoulaye Sylla, Portfolio Manager at EnergyNet, which co-organizes the summit, announced this on December 5, 2024.

The coming edition will be held in Lomé, the capital. Togo was picked for its notable advancements in energy transformation, particularly its goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030. “Togo is undergoing an energy transformation with clear objectives to achieve, including universal access to electricity by 2030. We chose Togo because it's a country that's moving forward,” Sylla said.

The upcoming summit will gather experts, policymakers, and investors to discuss the energy challenges in West Africa. The first summit focused on “Building energy sovereignty for sustainable development”, emphasizing cooperation in response to rising energy demands and the need for sustainable solutions.

Esaïe Edoh

In Togo, 137 MW of new renewable energy projects are under development. Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah-Dogbé revealed this on December 3 in Lomé. This was during the West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WA-ECS) held from December 3 to 5.

In her address, PM Dogbé highlighted Togo's commitment to renewable energy development through ambitious projects. Some of the country’s flagship renewable energy projects include Blitta’s PV plant, one of the largest in West Africa. It currently produces 50 MW, but this capacity is being expanded to 70 MW.

There is also the Dapaong solar power plant, under construction in northern Togo. This plant should produce 25 MW and have a 40 MWh storage system. It will benefit around 60 rural communities in the Savanes region.

Since 2020, Togo has increased its electrification rate from 52% to 69%, providing thousands of rural households electricity through solar kits and the Blitta solar power plant. 

Challenges Remain 

While Togo's electrification rate nears 70%, about half of West Africa's population still lacks electricity access, with some rural areas having rates below 10%. The Prime Minister emphasized that reliable and affordable energy is not just an economic necessity but also “a matter of social justice.”

The WA-ECS summit, organized by EnergyNet in partnership with the Togolese government and supported by the World Bank, focused on three main priorities: interconnecting power grids, integrating renewable energy, and mobilizing $30 billion in financing for approximately 60 projects by 2030.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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Togolese citizens can now access four key services from the Electricity Company of Togo (CEET) online. These services are part of the public services electronic platform.

The online options include requesting a connection to the medium-voltage electricity grid, lodging complaints, paying bills and low-voltage work charges, and purchasing Cash Power credit. This initiative allows users to manage their energy needs quickly and conveniently.

The digitalization of CEET is part of Togo's national digital transformation strategy, which aims to modernize interactions between citizens and public institutions. The goal is to reduce the time taken to process administrative tasks.

The government aims to digitize at least 75% of administrative procedures by 2025.

The 19th Lomé International Trade Fair ended on December 8. This edition welcomed 704,000 visitors this year, against 580,000 (+21%) the previous edition. The fair was held at the Centre Togolais des Expositions et Foires de Lomé (CETEF), and according to the Centre’s Managing Director, it was a “resounding success.” 

The number of exhibitors also grew. This year, around 1,300 exhibitors came from 22 countries, against 1,200 exhibitors (from 20 countries) last year. There were also more B2B meetings–680 against 647.

Looking ahead, the CETEF director stated that the 20th Lomé International Trade Fair “promises to be even more ambitious and innovative.” This year's fair focused on the theme: “Standards and qualities of products and services: tools for competitiveness and access to connected markets.” Mali, the guest country of honor, had around 20 exhibitors participating.

Esaïe Edoh

The National Organization for Excellence and Integral Development of Togo (ONEDI-Togo) officially launched the 7th edition of Togo Top Impact last Saturday. This year, the event, which celebrates exceptional individuals and initiatives, is placed under the theme “Promoting a society of excellence.”

The 7th edition includes 17 award categories, including four “popular” categories. These popular awards celebrate achievements such as Best Web Actor of the Year, Best Youth Initiative of the Year, Best Female Entrepreneurial Initiative of the Year, and Best Artisan of Citizen Engagement and Social Cohesion of the Year.

“This 7th edition is distinguished above all by its theme, which aims to promote a society of excellence. With the introduction of a category dedicated to web players, the aim is to showcase content with a real impact on society. This new edition also includes a social component, enriching masterclasses, and an evening dedicated to African integration,” explained Innocent Wotoglo, Secretary General of the organizing committee.

Out of the 17 categories, 13 will be judged by both public votes and a jury. The four popular categories will be voted on exclusively by the public. This approach aims to enhance civic engagement by allowing everyone to participate actively in the event.

According to the current schedule, the nominees will be revealed on December 15, and voting will commence on December 18. The grand award ceremony is scheduled for February 1, 2025, at the Hôtel Sarakawa in Lomé.

The previous edition of Togo Top Impact featured nearly 200 nominees and recognized around 20 individuals for their significant contributions to Togolese society.