Togo First
Togo’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the EU Prepare Partnership Agreement
The European Union (EU) delegation in Togo seeks to foster partnerships between Togolese businesses and Western companies. This initiative was discussed in a meeting earlier this week in Lomé between EU Ambassador Gwilym Jones and José Syménouh, President of the Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-Togo).
The cooperation will focus on attracting European investors to partner with Togolese operators, especially in agriculture and tourism, which are crucial for Togo's economic growth. The EU plans to help local authorities improve the business climate, by supporting its economic reforms. “The European Union wants to stand by the chamber to support businesses and foster European investment in Togo,” said Gwilym Jones.
The EU already supports Togo in various sectors and intends to enhance its contributions to the country's economic development.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo to Receive $58.7 Million in Next IMF Disbursement
Togo is set to receive $58.7 million (or SDR 44 million) in its next disbursement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF).
This announcement follows a successful visit by IMF teams to Togo for the ECF evaluation. During the visit, Togolese authorities presented their economic and political reforms to the IMF delegation.
On October 22, 2024, Togo's Minister of Economy and Finance, Georges Barcola, discussed this upcoming IMF disbursement with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the IMF, during the Joint General Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group in Washington. The 42-month ECF program totals $390 million and will be distributed in several installments.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo's OTR Seeks Closer Cooperation with Chinese Customs
The Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) aims to enhance its collaboration with Chinese customs, focusing on Authorized Economic Operators (AEO). Earlier this week, on October 21, 2024, the Togolese tax and customs authority welcomed a delegation from Chinese customs, led by the Deputy Director of Customs in GongBei.
The discussions centered on establishing bilateral cooperation based on AEOs. This will allow compliant companies to access simplified customs procedures, reducing processing time and making trade between Togo and China easier.
This visit follows an OTR delegation's trip to China last May, which helped set the groundwork for harmonizing customs standards. According to Dr. Philippe Kokou Tchodie, Commissioner General of the OTR, who led the delegation, greater cooperation with China will help accelerate Togo's economic development.
Tchodie added that the talks helped "lay the foundations for trade facilitation and the harmonization of customs standards between the two countries within the framework of enhanced bilateral cooperation."
Togocom Launches Intelligent Telecom Service Management Center
Togocom, a subsidiary of Madagascar's Axian group, opened an intelligent telecom service management center (ISOC) in Lomé on October 22, 2024. This center aims to monitor network performance in real-time, allowing for quick detection of issues to enhance service quality for users.
Jaber Hassan, Managing Director of Axian Telecom, stated that this center will be crucial for managing telecommunications services and will ensure stable, high-performance connectivity for all Togolese. This initiative may address recent criticisms from the Togolese regulator regarding mobile network service quality.
A recent satisfaction survey by the French regulatory authority for electronic communications and posts (ARCEP) indicated that while Togocom outperformed its competitor Moov Africa on several metrics, both operators still fell short of quality standards.
Rai Basgeet, Managing Director of Technology and Information at Togocom, emphasized the importance of data-driven services to meet ARCEP's requirements. This development follows Axian's acquisition of the remaining 20% of Agou Holding for $32 million, increasing its indirect stake in Togocom to 51%.
Cotton: Togo’s Production Could Drop Again This Year
Togo could produce 66,000 tonnes of cotton in the 2024-2025 campaign, again 67,000 tonnes in the previous campaign.
Industry stakeholders met in Sokodé (350 km north of Lomé) on October 23, 2024, to discuss the reasons behind the downward expectations. Among others, they cited climatic challenges, particularly a prolonged drought during the planting phase, which negatively affected crop development, noting: "This phenomenon hurt plantation development." Additionally, there are concerns about seed quality.
Farmers plan to cultivate 79,306 hectares with an average 840 kg per hectare yield to achieve the forecast. This anticipated drop comes as the Togolese cotton industry struggles to regain its former strength. Since Singaporean group Olam took control of Togo's cotton sector in 2020, production has remained below 60,000 tonnes until last year.
Cotton growers blame the new management for not revitalizing the industry. Moreover, climate change keeps affecting harvest. Many farmers are also shifting to more profitable crops like soybeans.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Hosts 10th National Internet Governance Forum this Week
Togo is hosting its 10th National Internet Governance Forum (Togo IGF) this week. The event will take place on Thursday, October 24, at the Maison des Jeunes de Lomé (Amadahomé).
The forum will center on emerging technologies and how they could leverage Togo's digital development. Challenges related to these technologies’ regulation, at the national and international levels, will also be discussed.
Participants will include internet pioneers, experts, and representatives from local and international companies in the Information and Communication Technologies sector. The goal is to foster experience and knowledge sharing among digital stakeholders.
“The Internet Governance Forum remains a great opportunity for Internet users to meet,” said Folli Herbert Amouzougan, Vice-Chairman of the IGF’s Board of Directors.
This forum follows a National School on Internet Governance that recently convened industry players to discuss subjects like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo and BADEA Strengthen Partnership for Sustainable Development
Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé met with Sidi Ould Tah, Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), in Lomé on October 21, 2024. The BADEA executive was accompanied by Serge Ekue, Director of the West African Development Bank (BOAD). The meeting focused on strengthening the partnership between BADEA and Togo.
“I had the honor of being received by His Excellency, Mr. President of the Republic. The purpose of this audience was to present to His Excellency the latest developments of the Bank, but also the prospects for partnership with Togo,” said Ould Tah.
He reaffirmed BADEA's commitment to supporting Togo's development policy, particularly in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture. He also lauded Togolese initiatives aimed at enhancing this strategic partnership.
In Togo, BADEA mainly finances projects with significant social and economic impacts. These include road infrastructure, water supply, energy, education, and health projects. The Arab Bank is a key partner of the BOAD, which is based in Lomé.
Togo: World Bank Administrator Lauds WACA's Achievements in Aného
Abdoul Salam Bello, Executive Director of the World Bank's Africa II Group, recently visited the WACA ResIP-Togo coastal resilience program in Aného. During his visit, he assessed various World Bank-funded projects that tackle coastal erosion and poverty in rural communities.
Bello toured the area with Dr. Adou Rahim Alimi Assimiou, the program coordinator, and his technical team. Béguédouwè Paneto, Secretary General of the Ministry of Planning, and Me Alexis John Coffi Aquereburu, Mayor of the Commune des Lacs 1 were also present.
"I had the honor of visiting the WACA project in this beautiful commune of Lacs 1 (Aného). We were very impressed by the quality of the work done by the WACA teams, but also by the vision and leadership of Mr. Mayor," Bello said. The delegation examined key infrastructure like breakwaters and dikes that protect the community and enhance living conditions for residents. "We have really appreciated all the positive externalities, including how WACA also helps fight poverty," he added.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Planning praised the World Bank's efforts and highlighted Bello's role in expanding the WACA ResIP-Togo Project. Under his leadership, the World Bank's portfolio in Togo increased from $900 million to $1.21 billion.
The World Bank just approved a new partnership framework that will help mobilize $1.5 billion for investments in key sectors such as agriculture and energy.
On October 14, Bello met with Dr. Sandra Ablamba Johnson, Minister and Secretary General of the Togolese Presidency. The meeting was an opportunity to review the work done by Bello and his staff, as well as discuss future partnerships between the two sides.
The World Bank currently holds its Annual Meetings in Washington. The sessions started on October 21 and ends on October 26.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: Most Local Products Meet Required Standards, Official Inspection Finds
Most Togolese products tested by local quality control institutions meet the required standards. An inspection delegation, led by Kossivi Hounaké, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Trade, reached this conclusion last weekend.
The inspection aimed to address concerns about the quality of "Made in Togo" products. The team visited key institutions, including the Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique (ITRA), the Institut National d'Hygiène (INH), the École Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), and the Laboratoire National du Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics (LNBTP).
According to Kossivi Hounaké, criticisms regarding local product quality are often unfounded. He stated that "most of them pass through these control laboratories" before reaching the market. This inspection coincided with local consumption month, serving as a boost from public authorities to promote Togo's products, nationally and internationally.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: Municipal Elections Begins in 11 Municipalities
Togo will hold municipal elections in at least 11 municipalities this October. The Ministry of Territorial Administration announced these elections following the deaths of several mayors and deputy mayors in recent months. The elections are scheduled from October 22 to 31.
Municipalities concerned include Golfe 2, 5, and 6, Avé 2, Kloto 3, Kpélé 1, Sotouboua 2, Doufelgou 3, Tone 1, Dankpen 3, and Kpendjal Ouest 1. Voting will occur through indirect suffrage by the municipal council, with prefects and local government authorities present.
Current mayors and councilors were elected in June 2019 during the first local elections in nearly thirty years. Togo has 117 municipalities.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi