In Togo, alcohol is the most consumed substance, followed by cannabis, according to a recent report from the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU). The report shows that alcohol accounts for 43% of substance use cases, while cannabis makes up 26%, and medical opioids represent 19%. This study is based on seizure data from 11 West African countries.

The report highlights that most users are young adults, aged between 20 and 39, with their first exposure to drugs occurring between ages 11 and 19. Outpatient treatment is the most common form of intervention, making up 64% of services, often initiated by family or professionals.

There are notable gender differences in substance use. Alcohol is the main substance for nearly 68% of women seeking treatment, compared to 39% of men. In contrast, about 39% of men seeking treatment are using cannabis, while only 13.47% of women are affected.

In 2023, the Togolese government seized over nine tonnes (9,252 kg) of cannabis, which is about 9% of total drug seizures in the region. Across ECOWAS, a total of 83,734 kg of drugs were seized across 11 countries, with Senegal reporting the highest at 15,905 kg, followed by Benin and Ivory Coast. 

On the cocaine front, Togo seized very little cocaine last year, just 670 g. Its neighbor, Benin, meanwhile,  seized 19.01 kg.

Commenting on the issue of substance abuse, ECOWAS recommends developing a regional policy on cannabis that considers cultural, economic, and social factors. The organization also urges countries to update their legal frameworks for drug control and enhance international cooperation.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Togolese winners from the third edition of the Togo Digital Awards (TDA) are in Lagos, for an immersion trip. Until September 14, they will visit various tech hubs in the Nigeria metropolis.

The trip, organized with the support of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation (through the Togo Digital Agency) and German cooperation GIZ Togo, aims to enhance the skills and networks of these young digital entrepreneurs. 

Lagos is known as Nigeria's "Silicon Valley". It hosts several key digital infrastructures including DTC Lagos, the Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), or the Google Developers Space for Africa and Microsoft. During their visit, the winners will meet entrepreneurs, incubators, and investors in the digital sector to learn from best practices in digital transformation.

According to Guillaume Djondo, commissioner in charge of organizing the Togo Digital Awards, the trip "allows us to discover Nigeria's digital transformation model and draw inspiration from it to strengthen the digitalization dynamic in Togo".

For Gilles Lasson, this year's winner in the "Coup de cœur" category,  it is a unique opportunity to “observe Nigeria's tech ecosystem and learn lessons for Togolese innovation”.

The Togo Digital Awards celebrates excellence in the Togolese digital sector, recognizing the contributions of

entrepreneurs and innovators. This year, the third the event takes place, 25 winners were honored for their efforts to advance digital development in Togo.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Undergraduates from the Universities of Lomé and Kara can transfer from one school to another, starting in the 2024-2025 academic year. The universities signed an agreement in this framework last month.

Under this arrangement, students enrolled in a bachelor's program can continue their studies at the partner university after completing all required courses for the first two semesters. However, the universities noted that the transfer is only possible within the first two years, or four semesters, of studies.

The move gives students more flexibility and a chance to broaden their academic experiences. It also lets them explore different teaching methods and environments within the national education system.

As part of the initiative, the two universities have aligned several aspects of their curricula. For example, they have standardized various syllabuses and course structures to ensure consistency. They have also agreed to collaborate more closely among faculty members.

Additionally, a shared software system will allow the schools to manage student enrollments and streamline administrative processes between the universities.

According to Professor Komlan Batawila, 1st Vice President of the University of Lomé, this initiative will ensure that diplomas from both institutions are recognized equally, aligning with the government’s goal of resource sharing among Togo's public universities.

Esaïe Edoh

Lomé currently hosts a workshop on World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Policy. The session was launched on September 9, by Kossivi Hounakey, Togo’s Minister Delegate of Trade. The training, also held last year, will last eight weeks.

This program targets officials from trade ministries in French-speaking Africa and covers key WTO principles. Topics will include multilateral trade agreements, services, market access, and dispute resolution. The goal is to boost trade and investment in member States and foster labor mobility and industrialization under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to Kossivi Hounakey, the 8-week training is crucial for improving  Africa's participation in international trade. The continent only contributes to 2% of global trade.

"To turn the tides, Africa must bolster integration, skills, as well as its productive and transformative capacities. That is why the WTO's technical support and capacity-building programs on the multilateral trading system are important for Africa," the official said.

As Togo aims to diversify its trade partnerships, the WTO Regional Course will help the country better position itself in the global trading system and benefit its trade sector.

Esaïe Edoh

Lomé currently hosts a workshop on World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Policy. The session was launched on September 9, by Kossivi Hounakey, Togo’s Minister Delegate of Trade. The training, also held last year, will last eight weeks.

This program targets officials from trade ministries in French-speaking Africa and covers key WTO principles. Topics will include multilateral trade agreements, services, market access, and dispute resolution. The goal is to boost trade and investment in member States and foster labor mobility and industrialization under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to Kossivi Hounakey, the 8-week training is crucial for improving  Africa's participation in international trade. The continent only contributes to 2% of global trade.

"To turn the tides, Africa must bolster integration, skills, as well as its productive and transformative capacities. That is why the WTO's technical support and capacity-building programs on the multilateral trading system are important for Africa," the official said.

As Togo aims to diversify its trade partnerships, the WTO Regional Course will help the country better position itself in the global trading system and benefit its trade sector.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo and Huawei are stepping up their cooperation on the ICT front. The two partners signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) last week in Beijing, during the 9th China-Africa Forum (FOCAC 2024).  The document was signed by the Togolese Minister of Trade and Industry.

The MoU aims to improve Togo's digital infrastructure and create new economic opportunities. Huawei, a global leader in infrastructure and connected devices, presented its technological innovation projects to the Togolese delegation. Meanwhile, Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbé, noted that these innovations align with his country's goals to develop its digital economy and position Togo as a digital hub in the region.

Besides discussing with Huawei executives, President Gnassingbé met with Chinese investors, including representatives from the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and the China Africa Business Council (CABC). With them, he explored public-private partnerships for infrastructure and logistics in Togo.

Still at the FOCAC, Togo signed another memorandum of understanding with Haier, another Chinese technology giant, to enhance collaboration in the energy and health sectors.

Togo has officially joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on September 4, on the sidelines of the 9th China-Africa Economic Forum (FOCAC 2024) in China. President Faure Gnassingbé chaired the related signing ceremony, alongside AIIB CEO HU Kun.

Now that it is an AIIB member, Togo should have greater access to financing for major infrastructure projects across various sectors, including health, education, energy, digital technology, transport, and water.

Le Togo devient membre à part entière de la Banque asiatique d’investissement pour les infrastructures

L’adhésion du Togo à la Banque asiatique d’investissement des infrastructures (AIIB) a été rendue publique au cours d’une rencontre ce 4 septembre 2024. La cérémonie officielle… pic.twitter.com/FRk1DKxzhT

— Présidence Togolaise/Togolese Presidency (@PresidenceTg) September 7, 2024

The AIIB was established in October 2015 and is operational since 2016. Mainly, it finances sustainable infrastructure projects in Asia and beyond. The Bank supports economic development and helps improve regional connectivity while ensuring gender equity and environmental protection.

The AIIB currently has 119 member countries and is active in sectors such as transport, energy, water, sanitation, and digital connectivity, with a funding capacity of $54 billion for these projects.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo already raised more on the West African securities market (WAMU Securities) than it eyed for the full year. With its latest issue on the market, carried out on September 6, Lomé has reached CFA621.4 billion since January. Togo’s goal for the year was CFA607 billion.

In detail, Lomé retained CFA28.3 billion out of CFA30.3 billion offered by 18 investors. The treasury, however, sought to retain CFA30 billion.

For this operation, Togo issued fungible treasury bills or BAT (Bons Assimilables du Trésor). The securities mature over 91 days and have multiple interest rates. 

Proceeds will finance Togo’s 2024 budget, set at 2,179 billion FCFA in revenue and expenditure.

Esaïe Edoh