Togo First
Togolese Gvt’ Approves New Chart to Support Local Businesses
To help local businesses thrive, the Togolese government adopted a bill approving the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMES) chart. The document was adopted on Aug. 25 by the council of ministers.
The chart, according to Prof. Akodah Ayewouadan, minister of communication, will enable the government to “support businesses in completing land formalities, certification procedures and securing financing.” Also, it will “allow MSMES to form a unit, and access financing mechanisms more easily.”
Adopting the chart, the government said, aligns with the implementation of the R4 reform related to mechanisms to support MSMES, under the Lomé’s development roadmap. The document will “help togolese businesses to be more competitive, and keep up with the regional and global environments which are becoming more and more competitive.”
According to Togolese authorities, MSMES constitute the foundations of Togo’s economic fabric. They significantly contribute to economic growth, job creation, innovation, local and regional development, and better social cohesion.
The updated chart, let’s note, covers four groups of business: nano-enterprises, micro-enterprises, small enterprises and medium enterprises. They should have a turnover ranging between CFA5 million and CFA1 billion.
Togo adopts bill to regulate transport of hazardous goods at sea
The council of ministers adopted, on August 25, a bill to regulate the movement of hazardous goods and waste in Togolese waters. This is two weeks after the document was presented by the minister of maritime economy and fishery.
Besides setting terms for transporting and handling the concerned products in ports and across the country, the bill should, according to official sources, “help significantly reduce accidents at sea and while storing hazardous goods in ports and related areas.”
By adopting the new law, Togo also hopes to attract international carriers, shipowners and logisticians - in line with its ambition to become a key logistics hub in Africa.
“It will also better protect people, the environment, equipment and serve as a guarantee of safety and security which is important for people and international shipowners while choosing a destination port,” reads the communiqué at the end of the Council of Ministers.
Klétus Situ
China engaged in major satellite TV project in Togo
China will help Togo deploy satellite television in 200 villages. This was disclosed last Monday by Qian Keming, China’s deputy minister of trade.
Keming said the two countries are moving well with signing letters of exchange to launch the project. “The Chinese side is committed to helping implement this project after the letters are signed,” the Asian official said.
Providing 200 Togolese villages with the equipment to access satellite TV is part of a large program deployed in Africa by the Chinese government. In all, 10,000 villages in 20 countries will be covered by the project.
Similar projects - aimed at facilitating the transition from analog to digital terrestrial television (DTT) - have been developed by StarTimes, the Chinese giant media group, in Benin (200 villages) and Uganda (400 villages). In these two countries, the company equipped public areas, enabling the reception of over 20 channels, including public TV stations. Besides, satellite reception kits were distributed, and local technicians were trained.
In Togo, the project to switch to DTT, which was scheduled to start in 2019, is stalling. This is despite the fact that in October 2019, one of the most important obstacles to the project - the lack of a legislative and regulatory framework - was removed as the country adopted a law approving transition to DTT.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
Gvt’ Seeks Consultant to Assess PIDU’s Implementation
The Togolese government is looking for an individual consultant to monitor and assess the implementation of its Infrastructure and Urban Development Project (PIDU). Candidates have until September 2, 2021, to submit their applications.
The related call for expression of interest, read by Togo First, states that “the monitoring and evaluation specialist will take care of everything concerning the operationalization of the project's monitoring and evaluation system. He or she will also play a major role in managing and assessing the PIDU's impacts.
Under the project, roads will be rehabilitated and built, drainage systems and clean water terminals also. In addition, there will be socio-educative and economic infrastructures, such as schools, health centers, and markets.
Launched in 2018, the Infrastructure and Urban Development project is set to end in 2023. The project cost CFA16 billion and was financed by the World Bank’s International Development Association. According to Togolese authorities, it will help end "extreme poverty and share wealth".
The PIDU covers Lomé, Kara, and Dapaong.
Esaïe Edoh
Rehabilitation of Presidential Palace to Start Soon
The rehabilitation of the presidential palace should begin before the end of the year. This was announced by Qian Keming, China’s deputy minister for trade, during the second session of the joint commission for cooperation between Togo and the Middle Empire.
The infrastructure was designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD). The first stone was laid by the late President Eyadéma Gnassingbé in 2003 and construction began in 2004. It was inaugurated on April 24, 2006, by Faure Gnassingbé, just after he came to power.
Located on the northern outskirts of the Lomé II district, which is destined to become an important administrative and financial hub in the sub-region, the presidential palace, more commonly known as the “palace”, is the seat of power in Togo.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
The US gives Togo around 200,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines
Togo received 188,370 doses of Pfizer vaccines from the US last Sunday. This aligns with a promise Joe Biden made to 92 countries last June.
The vaccines were received by the minister of health, Prof Moustafa Mijiyawa, and Dr. Fatoumata Binta Diallo, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Togo. According to Mijiyawa, the shots will help Togo continue its vaccination campaign, aimed at achieving collective immunity against Covid-19.
Let’s recall that Togo received 200,000 Sinovac doses from China last Friday; after getting the first batch, also 200,000 doses, in April.
Togo launched a vaccination campaign against Covid-19 on March 10, 2021. By August 3, the government indicates, 337,820 people had received at least one dose. That represents 4.2% of the country’s population.
Esaïe Edoh
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