On March 30, 2021, the Togolese parliament passed a decree approving the digitalization of the process to secure a judicial record. The initiative which falls under the government’s E-Administration project also aligns with the modernization of Togo’s legal system.

Initially expected to be effective next month, the initiative has been postponed to May. “In the meantime, major reforms will be implemented to secure the procedures related to the issuance of this document,” observed the National Assembly’s president, Yawa Djigbodi Tsègan.

“Thanks to the new provisions, it will be possible for all Togolese to submit online, the application, payment, and processing of judicial records, simply by connecting via smartphone, tablet, or computer,” Tsègan declared.

This should help save time and drastically lower costs incurred in getting a judicial record. In effect, the initiative enables citizens to obtain the document without having to go to their place of birth. Instead, they just have to indicate where they would like the document delivered.

Séna Akoda

By the coming year, a health complex dedicated to infectious diseases will be erected in Kara, Northern Togo. Construction works for the facility were officially launched last weekend by the minister of Health and the Ambassador of Germany, the project financer. 

The first phase of the project will cost more than CFA2 billion which will partly come from the German cooperation in Togo. The program takes into account training, research, management, and monitoring of infectious diseases. The hospital will have 80 patient beds which could be increased if needed.

The site hosting the project is the former local base of the National Hygiene Institute (INH). The hospitality complex will also have a healthcare unit, a diagnostic center, a technical services unit, a staff ward, and a pharmacy. 

Let it be recalled that Germany has been financing since 2015 a program that aims to boost the immune system and improve the reproductive health of Togolese, among others.

On April 10, 2021, a webinar on investment in Togo will be held. The news was revealed by the High Council of the Togolese Diaspora (HCTE), which is behind the initiative, together with Togo Invest. 

The webinar will focus on those who dare and entities backing investors, such as existing institutional and financial mechanisms. Moreover, participants will learn more about the structural tools adopted by Togo to boost investment and improve the business climate. Another presentation will showcase the role of the African diaspora in the development of the continent. 

The initiative aligns with Lomé’s intent to raise funds for the 2020-2025 roadmap. 

Séna Akoda

On Monday 29, 2021, Kayi Mivedor and Kodjo Adedze, respectively Togo’s ministers for investment promotion and trade, participated in the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF), a virtual meeting where the two officials urged French bosses to invest in Togo. This is in a context where the African country is currently seeking funds to finance its five-year (2020-2025) development roadmap. 

During the event, the ministers touched on Togo’s economic situation and prospects for development. They also talked about projected reforms and sectors that the Togolese government considers to be key for growth. 

The webinar should pave the way for talks related to investment projects by Fench firms in Togo. Most of the session was dedicated to business issues. 

Séna Akoda

Rehabilitation works on the Sadori-Mango segment of the Kanté-Tandjouaré road which was visited four months ago by Prime Minister Victoire Sidemeho Tomegah-Dogbe are 80% complete now. 

The information was disclosed by Television Togolaise (TVT) citing the minister of public works, Kassah-Traoré. 

The road, which was extremely bad, dusty, and the cause of various road accidents, is now paved, according to the Togolese authorities. It has been completely rehabilitated and is, therefore, safer and time-saving. 

Actors involved in the construction works, who were encouraged by the PM to accelerate the project, are committed to completing the works by June.

Séna Akoda

Over CFA500 million will be spent by the National Fund for Professional Training and Perfectionning (FNAFPP) to build and rehabilitate seven school infrastructures. The institution is backed by KfW, Germany’s financial arm. 

According to the tender document related to the project, the schools are located in various regions, such as Kara, Dapaong, and Atakpamé. 

The consortium ETTB/ICO BTP and the firm IS Construction won the bid to take over the project. The former will receive more than 300 million CFA while the latter will get around CFA200 million. 

In Togo, it should be recalled, the budget allocated to the education sector is CFA195.5 billion. The main goals of the authorities in this sector are “the construction of classrooms for all, the supply of learning and pedagogic equipment as well as recruiting and training teachers.”

Séna Akoda

Works to rehabilitate 30km of roads in Atakpamé (161 km from Lomé) were recently launched by the mayor of the Ogou 1 municipality, Yawa Kouigan. 

The works should add to the government’s efforts to further modernize Togo. “For many years now, the Togolese government has been implementing ambitious development programs aimed at creating a modern country with a sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” said the Atakpamé native. 

Details such as the project’s cost, how long it will take, and the names of companies in charge of the works were not disclosed since these works’ volume is yet to be determined. 

According to Kouigan, a participative approach was adopted to carry out the project. “We participate based on our capacities. Together, we reflect on what needs to be done. A party provides equipment, another provides fuel to power them, another pays workers, and another looks for materials,” she said. 

“If we don’t start somewhere on our own, we will vainly ask others to provide us with what we need…,” the mayor declared. 

However, Kouigan urged companies located in Atakpamé to enter “a virtuous and fruitful partnership with the municipality, through the exercise of a societal responsibility freely subscribed where they will support the municipality to develop economic projects and preserve the environment.”

Séna Akoda

Poland - the world’s third-largest apple producer and the first in Europe - wants to reinforce its economic relationships with Togo. In this framework, the new Polish ambassador to Togo, Joanna Tarnawska, met earlier this week with the Togolese minister of trade, industry, and local consumption, Kodjo Adedze.

On this occasion, the diplomat expressed Poland’s interest in various projects falling under the Togolese government’s economic development roadmap. The European nation is especially interested in the industry and trade sectors. The two officials also talked about Poland providing Togolese SMEs and SMIs technical support in these sectors, as well as in trade between the two countries’ various economic operators.