This year (2020), the West African Development Bank (BOAD) approved the disbursement of CFA652.8 billion for multiple projects in the eight WAEMU states it covers. 

Among others, the regional institution injected CFA20 billion in the installation and exploitation of a cement factory by CIMCO SA, provided Togo CFA25 billion to pay part of the energy debt it owes Nigeria. 

The BOAD also supported the Kékéli Efficient Power plant project. Indeed, in addition to arranging, with Oragroup, an investment of CFA65 billion for the project this year, in 2019 it approved a partial financing of CFA25 billion for the plant’s construction. 

The Bank also spent CFA7 billion on the construction of a 30MW PV solar power plant in Blitta (around 267 km from Lomé). 

Séna Akoda

On Dec. 8, the ministers of industry and experts from the OAPI’s 17 member States gathered in Lomé for the 60th ordinary session of the entity’s administration council. 

The meeting was held at the 2 Février hotel. It was chaired by Togo’s minister of trade, transport, industry, private sector development and local consumption promotion, and chairman of the OAPI’s administration board, Kodjo Adedze. 

The ministers debated on many technical matters including the implementation of a mechanism to finance invention and innovation, the amendment of the regulations governing the organization and the functioning of the High Commission of Appeal, the jurisdictional body of the OAPI, or the regulations implementing the revised Bangui Agreement (especially some of its annexes that came into effect last month. 

At the meeting, Togo, Chad and Guinea Bissau presented texts approving the ratification of the Bangui Agreement, falling in the framework of their adhesion to the OAPI. 

“Intellectual property has a key place in our 2018-2022 national development plan,” said Adedze while adding that “this vast political program cannot materialize without valorized results of research, more specifically the strategic exploitation of intellectual property, the continuous improvement of business climate and the implementation of the new investment code.”

Lastly, the Togolese minister of trade expressed his desire to witness the emergence of “a system ensuring the mutual recognition of industrial property rights similar to ZLECA, make them national priorities, and protect them.” 

Let it be recalled that last week, Togo’s first documentation center for intellectual property was inaugurated. It cost CFA500 million, provided by the OAPI. 

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

In Togo, Gozem drivers can now get low-cost loans from Coris Bank International Togo to buy bikes. 

A partnership was signed by the transport startup and the lender on December 8, 2020, in this framework. According to Gozem, it aligns with its Vehicle Financing Solutions program which makes it easier to buy new vehicles at a cheap cost. 

In detail, only the best drivers will be able to buy a new vehicle, and they will repay contracted loans daily via their Gozem wallet. 

The deal with Coris bank which is active in West Africa and plans to expand in Central Africa (just like Gozem) is a first of a kind. 

Séna Akoda

Announced a few weeks ago, the law of military programming covering the 2021-2025 period was adopted on December 8 by the Togolese assembly. 

With this legal tool, Togo wants its army to adapt to new security contingencies and emerging threats. 

Most importantly, the programming will involve planning on how much military expenses will amount to, over the period concerned and how these funds will be distributed for example to purchase equipment and material, improve institutional governance and staff capacities concerning training and civil-military operations. In this framework, emphasis will be put on key operational priorities and essential capability choices. 

The adoption of this law is “a strong message to the men and women out there in the field, fighting day and night, putting their lives on the line to defend the country and ensure its security,” said the minister of military forces, Marguerite Gnakadè.

Over the next five years, more than CFA 700 billion will be mobilized to finance the various initiatives planned under the military programming covering the period. 

Séna Akoda

Construction works for the new market of Tsévié (around 36 km from Lomé) are 96% complete. 

Progress on the project was assessed by Prime Minister Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé who carried out a field visit at the site on December 7, 2020. 

The new market is built-in line with the modernity standards set by the Agence d’Exécution des Travaux Urbains du Togo (AGETUR-TOGO). It covers 10 hectares, has stalls and stores that can host up to 1,250 places. 

During her visit, the Togolese PM also went to the construction site of a new youth and women center. The completion rate for these works is 88%, according to the PM’s office. 

Séna Akoda

Last Thursday, Togo’s PM, Victoire Tomegah-Dogbé, launched in Kpovégan (in the Haho prefecture located 100 km from Lomé) the Rural Roads Support Program (PAPR). 

This is one of the flagship programs of the government’s new five-year development roadmap. In its framework, rural roads will be built to foster physical and economic integration in rural areas where cotton, coffee, and cocoa are produced across the country. Besides, the PAPR should improve the access of households and farmers to input and markets. 

According to the minister in charge of rural roads, Bouraïma Kanfitine Tchédé-Issa, who was present at the PAPR’s launch, the government will build a total of 4000 km of roads across Togo’s five economic regions. Initial financing covering the 2018-2025 period was provided in this framework. However, these monies will serve to build 2,000 km. 

The total estimated cost for the project is around CFA49 billion. Part of the funds will come from the State’s budget, and another part will come from KfW and AfDB. The PAPR will help fight exclusion and poverty by enabling beneficiaries, farmers mainly, to better access socio-economic infrastructures, according to the Prime Minister.

After months of talks between negotiators from the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the two parties reached an agreement on a political treaty that will replace the Cotonou Agreement. The latter which has already expired was signed in 2000 and regulated free-trade between ACP states and the EU. 

The new agreement, reached last Thursday, is a significant milestone in the talks which started in September 2018 at the general assembly of the UN in New York. 

For Robert Dussey, Togo’s foreign affairs minister and chief negotiator who represented the ACP bloc in the negotiations, “the political deal reached today, after long and intense talks, paves the way towards a modern partnership that will be more engaging at the national, regional, and international levels.”

According to an official statement, the new text will cover “a great number of areas,” notably sustainable growth, human rights, peace, and security, among others, while focusing on regional priorities. 

However, some members of the EU parliament warned they would block the treaty if it does not include provisions granting a bigger oversight role for members of parliament from each bloc, with clear functions and powers.  

There is therefore much room to cover before the new accord is materialized. Regardless, once it is finalized and ratified, the agreement will set a framework for relationships (economic, political, and cooperation) between the EU and all 79 ACP members - two blocs which together boast a population of 1.5 billion people.  

In the best-case scenario, the new deal should be finalized and signed in 2021. 

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Economic Governance Support Project (PAGE) will finance the elaboration of a manual to reinforce deputies’ capabilities concerning the assessment of projects that fall under the Finance Act. 

In a context where Togo switched to a program-budget model, the projected manual will be structured so that deputies will be updated regarding budgetary principles, procedures involved in the elaboration of the finance acts, and customary terms of public finances.

Moreover, the manual will help the assembly appropriate the documentation related to finance bills and their content, the components of the State’s program-budget, as well as procedures and methods to assess projects laid out in finance bills. 

Regarding the elaboration of the manual, Lomé launched a call for expression of interest to individual consultants who may be looking to produce the document. The deadline for the submission of applications is December 9, 2020. 

Séna Akoda