Exim Bank of India injected $6.5 million (+3.5 billion FCFA) in a project to build Medium and low Voltage networks, aimed at boosting power supply in major Togolese cities. 

The financing is a credit line the government of Togo secured from the Asian lender. The project concerned will cover six localities, namely Aného, Kpalimé, Atakpamé, Sokodé, Kara, and Dapaong.

The contract will be executed by Indian Laser Power & Infra Private Limited, reportedly one of the pioneers of the cable industry in India. The firm won the contract in a bidding process where it competed against 11 others. 

Séna Akoda

Togo plans to organize capacity-building sessions in port and maritime logistics for 60 actors of the blue economy. To this end, it is recruiting a specialized firm, via the Presidency of the Republic.

The project, financed by the World Bank through the Project to Support the Competitiveness of Logistics Services for Trade, will boost capacities of authorized customs agents and brokers on import, export, and transshipment procedures at the Single Window for Foreign Trade (GUCE).

In a context where the Port of Lomé announced that it has fully dematerialized all its procedures, and made online payment effective to speed up the clearing of goods, the upcoming workshop will keep concerned actors up-to-date relative to the recent reforms introduced by the port authority. 

Especially, the training will extend to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. This regulation focuses on the security of port facilities and ships, anticipating potential terrorist threats. 

Also, the workshop will look at the alert mechanism of the WAEMU and the Observatory of Abnormal Practices.

Séna Akoda

In Togo, technical visit formalities are now subject to payment of the Motor Vehicle Tax (TVM). This was disclosed in a joint statement issued by the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) and the Directorate of Road and Rail Transport (DTRF).

“Technical inspection formalities are now subject to a systematic control of the receipt attesting of the TVM’s payment,” reads the communiqué co-signed by Philippe Kokou Tchodié (General Commissioner of the OTR) and Tadjudini Dermane (Acting Director of Road and Rail Transport).

The document further noted that the compulsory control would begin on March 15, 2021, across the whole country.

It should be recalled that the TVM can be paid in all tax divisions as well as at the OTR’s desk located at the DTRF. 

Séna Akoda

In Togo, SMEs and SMIs consuming between 120 and 150kVA of power will not pay to get connected to the public grid. This falls under the government’s efforts to improve the country’s business climate.

In a statement it recently released, the Togolese power utility declared that “the cost for connection to the medium tension network of the public grid has been made free for SMEs and SMIs with a consumption level ranging between 120 and 150kVA.”

The fees concerned, it should be recalled, were previously reduced by 30%, and later by 50%.

Besides SMEs and SMIs, Togolese authorities, as stated under its national electrification strategy, aim to electrify the whole country by 2030.

The ministry for development planning and cooperation is looking for a developer to create a mobile app to accelerate the digitalization of services provided by the national water company (Togolaise des Eaux or TDE).

The move aligns with the digitization strategy of the water utility. The latter recently adopted mobile money to ease the payment of bills by customers. The platform in question will allow its users to access their consumption history and meter ID, make payments with banking cards, and file complaints.

The initiative is financed with an IDA loan disbursed for the State, in the framework of the Project to Support Competitiveness of Logistics Services in Trade.

Séna Akoda

More than half of the Togolese population (51%) said they are willing to take the Covid-19 vaccine. This was revealed in the results of a survey conducted by Afrobarometer and published on March 3, 2021.

Led by the Center For Research & Opinion Polls (CROP), the study covered a sample population of 1,200 Togolese citizens. It was carried out between December 2020 and January 2021. In addition to asking people what they think about the vaccine, the survey’s authors asked them various questions concerning the sanitary crisis.  

Among those in favor of getting Covid-19 shots, rural people (56%) and the youths (54%) showed more determination than people in cities (41%) and the old (46%-50%). Also, 37% of the surveyed said they trust the government to make sure the vaccines are inoffensive.

Let’s note that 40% of the surveyed have doubts about the Covid-19, opting for prayer as the preferred prevention method.

Klétus Situ

Togo will benefit from Morocco’s expertise to launch its Social and Economic Council (CES). Last Monday, a work session between a delegation of the CES and the Moroccan Social, Economic, and Environmental Council (CESE) took place in the framework. 

The Moroccan delegation was led by Younes Benakki, secretary-general of the CESE and secretary of the African Union of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (UCESA).  

Christian Trimua, the Togolese minister of human rights, who led the work session, ascribed the decision to choose Morocco to the fact that he chairs the UCESA. “This way, we kill two birds with a stone, through the UCESA, and we will at the same time have access to 19 comparative experiences,” he said.  

It was also revealed that the Togolese Economic and Social Council will be established in Aneho, at the southern border with Benin. 

Klétus Situ

The Togolese Ministry of Primary, Secondary, Technical, and Handicraft Education will provide the Kara Science High School with a multimedia and housing center. The project has been entrusted to NAD BTP, a Togolese construction company.

NAD BTP is the provisional winner of this contract which aligns with the digital transition initiated by the State in the education system, as well as its ambition to provide housing for high school students.

The Togolese firm, it should be emphasized, built the Canal Olympia theater and entertainment center. This new project is expected to cost more than half a billion CFA francs, according to its bid.

The amount projected is less than that proposed by the other companies, also Togolese, which bid for the project. These firms are Hitel Pro and Ics Concept Service.

Séna Akoda

Togo is working on a new employment policy, an updated version of the former policy which was adopted in 2018. 

To this end, the Togolese authorities organized a two-day workshop to equip and boost the capacities of members of the national committee monitoring the employment strategy. Participating in the event are also various experts and executives engaged in the monitoring of this document. 

According to Kondo Loki, Director General for Employment, “the session should help prevent any issues we registered with the previous policy.”

Ayi Renaud Dossavi