To further mitigate the risk of Covid-19 spreading in the country through travelers, the Togolese government has enforced the use of the “Togo Safe” contact tracing app upon their arrival. They must keep the tool active throughout their stay or at least for 30 days, starting from the day they arrive in Togo.

The measure was disclosed in a circular issued by the National Agency for Civil Aviation (ANAC). 

Still, to reduce the risk of contagion, travelers must fill a health and immigration declaration form. Also, people who are traveling have to take PCR tests 72 hours before their flight. In this regard, the ANAC indicated that those who test positive to Covid-19 will be transferred to a health facility put in place by the government, at their own cost. 

Séna Akoda

Last Thursday, representatives from the government, the national council of employers and the labor union met in Lomé, in the framework of the first meeting of the council’s ordinary session on social dialogue in Togo. 

Participants discussed among others; working conditions amidst the current health crisis, the focus of the economic restart, as well as of expectations and concerns of health and education workers. 

Regarding the issue of job preservation, the minister of public works and social protections, Gilbert Bawara, who was present at the session, said “permanent layoffs must be avoided at all costs” - an opinion shared by all other concerned actors. 

Instead, the top official added, “temporary layoffs should be the first option” of businesses experiencing economic difficulties as a result of the pandemic. This way, he emphasized, “contracts will not be terminated and working relations will be sustained.”  

In a survey published by the Togolese employers’ council, it was reported that the Covid-19 has caused over 92% of Togolese businesses to lose earnings (between February and March 2020). The same report reveals that 3 out of 10 businesses surveyed lost more than 75% of their earnings, while 6 out of 10 reported a 50% loss. 

The WAEMU mortgage refinancing fund (CRRH-UEMOA) has reported for its 2019 financial year a net profit of XOF1.24 billion (XOF1,242,860,623 exactly).

In detail, 15% of this sum -around XOF186 million- will be allocated to the institution’s legal reserve; 5% (XOF62.14 million) to its special reserve; XOF712.54 million to its exchange rate risk management Fund. Meanwhile, 281 million will be kept as retained earnings, thus raising the institution’s total retained earnings to XOF2.8 billion. 

The figures were disclosed at the latest general assembly (9th ordinary general assembly and 11th extraordinary general assembly) of the Fund. The assembly was held last May in a videoconference. On that occasion, the CRRH’s director, Togolese Christian Agossa approved a new increase in the institution’s capital. This increase - of two billion CFA - brings the capital to XOF11.5 billion. It is the second operation of its kind after a previous one held in 2019 where the capital was raised to 9.5 billion.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

In 2019, cement manufacturer HeidelbergCement which has three subsidiaries in Togo (Cimtogo, Scantogo, and Granutogo) invested XOF528.3 million in the people living in areas where it operates across the country. 

This was disclosed on the presidency’s official website. The funds, the presidency indicated, were allocated to sectors such as rural electrification, community health, water and sanitation, environmental protection and biodiversity, and education. 

“2019 was the year during which the group’s leadership in terms of corporate social responsibility in Togo was acknowledged and confirmed by local and central authorities, local collectives, and the civil society,” Eric Goulignac, the chairperson of HeidelbergCement Togo, said.

Let it be noted that about 300 million out of the 528 million invested by the group went to the Yoto prefecture where Scantogo operates. 

Meanwhile, the cement producer plans to actualize its CSR strategy to better serve Togolese populations. Also, the group plans a massive investment scheme to support the second axis of the government’s national development plan.

As Togo readies to resume flights, the government informed that all travelers must submit a certificate proving they tested negative to Covid-19 before embarking on flights. 

This new measure does not exempt travelers from complying with precautions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 

Any person who fails to submit the concerned certificate or does not meet any of the recommended safety measures (temperature check, wearing a face mask, etc.) will not be allowed to travel. 

However, the authorities have eased measures imposed on returning Togolese citizens.  Amongst others, only suspected passengers will be quarantined henceforth. 

Let it be recalled that important measures are being implemented at the airport of Lomé to monitor flights and epidemiological activities. According to public authorities, reopening the economy - which has been greatly weakened by the pandemic - should not exacerbate the propagation of the coronavirus in the country. 

Séna Akoda

After examination classes, universities and other tertiary education institutions should soon reopen in Togo. 

The matter was discussed last Wednesday during a meeting between the Prime Minister, Komi Klassou, and directors of public and private universities of the country. 

The learning institutions, the talks concluded, will resume activity in a limited manner; to minimize physical contact between students. Public universities have agreed on allowing only a third of students to enroll for classes, said Komla Sanda, chairman of the University of Kara in the northern part of the country.  

Physical classes will be for project work and extremely technical lectures, in addition to online lectures. Other precautionary measures include an alternate system between major faculties. 

Three months left

Officials indicated that under acceptable conditions, it should take three months for the academic year to close. Regarding examinations, they said, some may be organized online, but for the most part, students will be taking them in person. 

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

After making mask-wearing compulsory in the country, Togolese authorities said those who do not comply with safety measures could face sanctions. 

The government warned that any such person could pay a fine that ranges between XOF3,000 and XOF20,000, or even a worse sanction - XOF50,000 and between one and six months of prison - if the offense is repeated. 

Regarding companies, associations, and other organizations that do not follow the imposed safety measures, they could pay a fine ranging between XOF500,000 and XOF2 million. Depending on the severity of the offense, the fine could be set to up to XOF5 million, the firm could be closed temporarily, or suffer both sanctions. 

Also, vehicle owners who fail to comply with these measures could have their vehicle seized and have it returned only after paying a predefined fine. 

Séna Akoda

British carmaker Morris Garage (MG) will start operations in Togo on July 15, 2020. The firm signed a partnership agreement in this framework with Diwa International, the car dealer founded by Togolese businessman Jonas Aklessou Daou who also heads Sodigaz. 

MG will offer various types of cars including its RX5 model, which is a modern SUV. “We have the ideal offers for professional, family, and luxury cars. With our comfortable, modern, and spacious models, we are ready to give the best to the Togolese market, in terms of driving experience and customer satisfaction,” said Pascal Djondo, deputy managing director, Diwa International. 

The carmaker’s decision to come to Lomé aligns with its expansion strategy in Africa. In Togo, it will be disputing market shares with CFAO Motors, Hyundai, and countless used car sellers. Its new partner, Diwa International started operations in 2018, selling CHEVROLET and ISUZU cars. 

In Africa, Morris Garage already operates in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. 

Séna Akoda

Last year, Togo imported 159,702 bottles of champagne (of 75 cl) for more than €3.1 million. 

In West Africa, the country was the third-largest importer of champagne over the period reviewed. First was Nigeria with 569,440 bottles imported (€18,153,942) and Côte d’Ivoire with 348,955 bottles (€5,935,560). 

Behind Togo were Ghana, which imported 102,070 bottles (€2,808,685), Benin (83,599 bottles for €656,944), Burkina Faso (59,355 bottles for €1,285,067), and Senegal (€52,364 bottles for €975,817). 

Across the continent, South Africa is the largest consumer with over a million bottles purchased in 2019 - up by 1.6% compared to the previous year. 

The figures, reported by the Ecofin Agency, were published by the Comité Champagne which is a trade organization that manages the common interests of ‘vignerons’ and champagne houses. 

Let it be noted that overall, African nations imported more than 3 million bottles of champagne last year. These cost around €89.85 million. 

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Top champagne importers in Africa 

On July 7, 2020, the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Banque Ouest-Africaine de Développement (BOAD) inked two financing agreements worth a total of €175 million (or XOF115 billion). The funds are to make the WAEMU states more resilient to the Covid-19 and climate change. 

According to a related statement, the first agreement, for €100 million, “will help the regional lender in its actions to tackle the pandemic. It will help finance responses of the WAEMU member states, in line with an initiative carried out by the BOAD, the BCEAO, and the WAEMU Commission.”

As part of this initiative, “a low-cost emergency loan of XO15 billion has been made available for each member state (thus making a total of XOF120 billion for the union)”, the statement further indicates. Part of the money will also be used to support the private sector in its investments aimed at fostering economic recovery in the region. 

Regarding the second agreement, it combines a €75 million credit line and a subsidy of €600,000. Both facilities should enable the adoption of resilient, low-carbon, economic models across the WAEMU. However, the credit line will specifically finance projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (25% of the loan), and help the most vulnerable populations in the region adapt to climate change’s consequences (75%).

Séna Akoda