Togo First
REDISSE Project: Gvt’ Looks for Auditor
The government of Togo will audit the regional project for the Reinforcement of Disease Monitoring Systems (REDISSE). In this framework, the ministry of health launched a call for expression of interest to select an internal auditor.
The hired auditor will assess accounts, check administrative, financial, and accounting procedures related to the project. In addition, the company will “control, punctually and a posteriori, the regularity and reliability of accounting documents and procedures,” and ensure the proper functioning of implemented procedures, while making sure management procedures and regulations are respected.
The audit, the ministry of health said, is aimed at “ensuring the implementation of procedures relative to general administration, pragmatic management, procurement, financial management, and adequate monitoring of contracts signed with various firms working on the project.”
“REDISSE is a project that aims to reinforce cross-sector capacities, at the national level, for collaborative monitoring of diseases, preparing and tackling epidemics in West Africa. It is financed by the World Bank,” the ministry said.
Esaïe Edoh
China-Togo: Trade Valued at $380 Million in H1 2021
Trade between Togo and China amounted to $380 million in the first half of 2021. The figure was disclosed by Qian Keming, China’s deputy minister for trade, at the second session of the joint commission for cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Chinese official, the significant figure reflects the growing trade cooperation between China and Togo and its huge potential.
From 2008 -when the joint commission held its first session in Lomé- to now, trade between the two economies rose by 110%, from $1.24 billion to $2.62 billion, said Sandra Johnson, Togo’s minister and secretary-general of the presidency.
Beijing and Lomé to Boost their Cooperation in Many Sectors
The second session of the Joint Commission of Cooperation between China and Togo was held yesterday, August 23, 2021, by videoconference. The first session took place in Lomé, 13 years ago.
The meeting aimed to define new objectives for cooperation, at the diplomatic and economic levels, between the two nations. Among figures who took part in the session were Togo’s minister and secretary-general of the presidency, Sandra Johnson, and Qian Keming, China’s deputy minister for trade.
“Overall, the implementation of commitments by both parties is satisfactory. That is undeniable,” said Johnson. She added: Important achievements were recorded regarding cooperation, water, education, health, agriculture, public works, transport, communication, digital economy, administrative infrastructure, and sports.
The two parties however called for the consolidation of cooperation in many other areas.
More to come
Qian Keming said China will boost its relationship with Togo, by focusing on areas like public health, employment, production, and social inclusion, in line with the Togolese government’s five-year roadmap. The latter revolves around 10 key axes and breaks down into 42 projects and major reforms.
“China is ready to support Togo as much as possible and according to the feasibility and maturation of advanced projects,” Keming said.
In this framework, China will send a delegation to assess the feasibility of many rural water projects which are to be developed across Togo’s five administrative regions.
Other projects in which the Middle Empire is involved in Togo include a project to provide access to satellite television in 200 villages, another to rehabilitate the presidential palace before the end of 2021. Besides, talks with Eximbank China should continue for the financing of the rehabilitation and renovation of Niamtougou’s airport and the expansion of Lomé’s airport which was built and delivered by China in 2016.
“China appreciates the active efforts that Togo makes to develop its economy and improve its business climate, and is ready to encourage Chinese businesses to take part in major projects falling under sectors highlighted in the roadmap, such as digital economy, energy, environmental protection, and industrial production.”
However...
Qian Keming, China’s deputy minister for trade, while lauding Togo’s efforts in recent years, wishes that the Togolese government will simplify administrative procedures for Chinese businesses and workers coming to the West African country.
“We would like the Togolese side to provide us with more facilities in the issuance of visas, work permits, customs clearance of goods, and civil protection,” he noted.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
CCIT launches census targeting old and new businesses
The Chamber of Trade and Industry of Togo (CCIT) is carrying out a census of businesses operating in the country. This was disclosed on Twitter by the ministry of trade and industry.
Led by the National Institute for Statistics, Economic Studies, and Demographics (INSEED), the census is part of the CCIT’s reform steered by the special consular delegation.
“To complete the INSEED’s data, the special consular delegation urges all businesses to enroll,” the source adds.
According to the statement issued on Twitter, the census will be carried out from August 26 to September 8 in the maritime region, August 30 to September 8 in other regions. Businesses can enroll at the CCIT’s offices and prefectures.
For new businesses, whose data are not yet in the Chamber’s database, the “enrollment equals joining the CCIT and they have no adhesion fee to pay.”
Let’s recall that the CCIT is set to hold “inclusive” elections in a few weeks.
Klétus Situ
WAEMU: Lomé records third successful 10-year issue on the regional money market
Togo’s public treasury raised CFA27.5 billion on the WAEMU public securities market last Friday. This is the third 10-year maturity issue of the country in 2021; the first and second were carried out in April and July, respectively.
Just like with the two previous issues, the country was initially seeking CFA25 billion on the regional market. Nominal value - CFA10,000 - and interest rate - 6.15% - were similar.
However, there were more subscriptions this time, but the yield was the same as that recorded in July - 6.02%. The yield represented only 22.5% of subscriptions which stood around CFA121 billion. There were 92 bidders.
So far into the year, Togo has raised CFA435.5 billion from regional investors, according to its forecasts, it should mobilize CF135 billion more before the year ends.
Klétus Situ
Togo: 2021-2022 Junior and High School Fees Covered by State
Public junior and high school students will pay no registration or school fees in the 2021-2022 academic year. This was just disclosed by the Togolese government.
The authorities said the move aims to “cushion the pandemic’s impact on vulnerable populations,” and aligns with “efforts to boost the resilience of Togolese populations.”
This social action adds to others taken by the government since the health crisis began; including the Novissi scheme which cost no less than CFA13 billion, and the payment of registration fees for school exams (CFA1.9 billion).
Water and power bills covered by State
The State also paid water and electricity bills for part of the population, for August 2021.
This measure was implemented in April-August 2020. At the time, it covered thousands of people (almost 100,000 water consumers) and cost the State almost CFA10 billion.
Water consumers who benefited from the State’s support had a consumption level ranging between 0 and 10 m3. As for electricity, it concerned consumption of 0 to 40 KWh, for both postpaid and prepaid customers on a 2-wire, 10A maximum subscription and whose use is exclusively domestic.
Ecovillage project: 10 new villages picked to benefit from pilot phase
Ten more villages have been selected to take part in the pilot phase of the ecovillage project. In this framework, a workshop was held in Lomé on August 17. It regrouped officials from the ministry of environment and forest resources, as well as experts of the UNDP which backs the initiative.
The workshop aimed to validate a strategic plan to transform the selected villages, namely Danyi, Folivi Joe, Bolou Ketemé, Sadjibou, and Posa, based on the model developed in Donomadé (Yoto) and Andokpomey (Avé).
In these two villages, the project had positive results. In addition to them, Zanvé, Kotchomé, Doufouli, Amondé, and Nassiété were other villages that benefited from the pilot phase.
“Each of the seven ecovillages that are currently active polarizes at least ten satellite villages which benefit from the investments made in the ecovillage centers. Today, seventy villages in Togo benefit from the ecovillage project,” said Koffi Agbossoumonde who coordinates the project.
Launched in 2014, the ecovillage project aims to promote a sustainable grassroots development model focused on tackling climate change, preserving biodiversity, and supplying clean energy. In the long run, the goal of the project is to transform 500 villages into ecovillages.
Klétus Situ
Cinetpay develops digital platform to ease payment of school fees in Togo
Ivorian startup Cinetpay announced the launch of a digital payment platform for school and university fees in Togo.
According to the press release relaying the information, the Ivorian startup’s platform regroups electronic payment terminals (EPTs) and web platforms that will enable schools and universities to collect registration and tuition fees via mobile money and other electronic channels.
“This platform will allow them to collect online registration and tuition fees, to track all payments in real-time and to automatically send a reminder by email, SMS or Whatsapp to parents, as deadlines approach or in case of delay,” said the Togolese subsidiary of the Ivorian startup specialized in electronic transactions and mobile money.
CinetPay, whose e-schooling platform has a dozen institutional users, added that schools and universities can integrate, into their website, features that ease payments via mobile money, e-wallets, and bank cards.
Created in Côte d'Ivoire and established in Togo a year ago, Cinetpay is a fintech company. Unlike most other fintech firms present in the country, which focus on banking, finance, and e-commerce, it opted for the education sector. Cinetpay aims to win over all Togolese schools and universities by 2023.
This ambition aligns with the Togolese government’s 2020-2025 roadmap; under which Togo is set to become a reference in the digital sector, through the transformation and growth of the digital economy.
Togo: Gvt’ to Audit Basic Services and Social Nets Project
The government will proceed to an external audit of digital cash transfers made as part of the basic services and social nets project (FSB). The call for expression of interest to hire an auditor closes today, Aug. 20.
The selected firm will, among others, check that the funds were received and make sure they are and if related SIM cards were effectively distributed and registered.
A survey will also be carried out to assess beneficiaries’ level of satisfaction, and also the program’s management information system (SIG).
Launched in 2018, the FSB aims to provide the poorest communities better access to basic socio-economic infrastructures and social nets. Since then, CFA23 billion has been poured into the project, according to the National Agency for Support to Grassroots Development (ANADEB) which steers it.
Esaïe Edoh
Minister of Trade Calls for Inclusive Chamber of Commerce
Togo’s Trade and Industry Chamber (CCIT) will have new management in the coming weeks. A preparatory meeting was held Tuesday in this regard. The meeting was led by Kodjo Adedze, minister of trade.
On this occasion, the official asked actors present to set up an “inclusive” trade chamber. “The election of new managers has been suspended to have an inclusive chamber, one that represents every actor, whether in trade, industry or services,” Adedze said.
The elections, steered by Germain Mèba, ex-chairman of the CCIT, were suspended in September 2020 due to frequent complaints raised by some professional associations and economic operators, added to “non-compliance with the conditions for drawing up electoral lists in each prefecture or sub-prefecture.”
Still, to make the trade chamber more inclusive, the Special Consular Delegation (DSC) was created in January 2021. Its main missions include managing the chamber's ongoing and pressing affairs, reviewing its rules, and organizing inclusive elections.
The CCIT acts as a bridge between the Togolese business community and the Togolese government. It has a consultative and representative mission. It also provides advice, support, information, training, and management of industrial and commercial services.
Esaïe Edoh