After falling last year, the CPIA score of the 38 African countries eligible for the International Development Association’s (IDA) loans is steady this year. This is disclosed in World Bank’s 2017 CPIA report released on Wednesday 12, 2017.

Overall, these countries scored 3.1 with sub-Saharan Africa getting a slightly better score than other nations benefiting from IDA’s support. Average score for the latter was 3.2.

With a 3.1 score, up 0.1pt in 2017, Togo is among African countries eligible for IDA’s loans that have improved the quality of their policies and public institutions.

Released yearly, the CPIA report rates every country that can benefit from IDA grants. The scores reflect quality of policies and institutions in the concerned countries. The CPIA consists of 16 criteria grouped in four equally weighted clusters: Economic Management, Structural Policies, Policies for Social Inclusion and Equity, and Public Sector Management and Institutions.

These are Togo’s ratings for each of these clusters: 3.2 pt, 3.2 pt, 3.4 pt and 2.8 pt.

Compared to 2016’s ratings, this is a good performance, which is to be attributed to the many reforms put in place by the government to improve the country’s macroeconomic environment.

Looking at economic management’s score, it improved by 0.4. Structural policies were stable, the same goes for policies for social inclusion and equity. Last is the public sector management whose score rose by 0.1 pt.  

Economic Management : Carrot and stick

Though its score for economic management is the same as average for sub-Saharan African nations (3.2), Togo will have to improve its policy and debt management. Truly, the country’s debt soared significantly in 2016. And though the CPIA report notes a 0.5 pt improvement of its ratings in 2017, other major actions should be taken to fix things. Actually, a few months ago, the World Bank said it would send a mission to Lomé to help the government better manage its debt.  

Concerning public sector management and institutions, Togo also needs to improve. In effect, this year, concrete actions were taken to raise the countries’ indicators. Such reforms include a new land code, a new tax code to come into force in 2019; a new custom code was also adopted by the parliament. These reforms could help the country improve its results for the next CPIA report.

Social and environment : Positive evolution

In regards to social and environmental conditions, Togo’s results are better. Indeed, World Bank’s report gave the nation a score of 3.4 for social inclusion and equity while average for the sub-Saharan African region was 3.2. The World Bank lauded Togolese authorities for the multiple reforms implemented over the recent years to increase ecologic sustainability. Also, for the equity in use of public resources, the report gave Togo a score of 3.5, against 3.2 for the SSA region. Regardless, once again, the country still has to fix various issues related to the valorization of its human resources, since it keeps lagging behind its neighbors in this aspect.

Structural policies

In regards to structural policies, Togo scored 3.2 as a result of regional standards imposed in the WAEMU and ECOWAS which the country is part of. The 2017 CPIA report assesses all reforms implemented in the Togolese trade industry up to 2017. Under these, measures aiming to simplify procedures related to external trade were well seen by the World Bank. Same goes for monetary and exchange policies, which are also strengthened due to Togo’s appurtenance to the above-mentioned communities.

A look at the past decade

From 2008 to 2017, Togo’s CPIA scores grew by 0.4 pt, driven by progress made in economic management, social inclusion and equity, public sector management and institutions. However, over the period, according to the World Bank, structural policies stagnated.

In the CPIA ranking, Rwanda still remains at the top, both across the region and worldwide, with a score of 4. Other well placed nations in the region include Senegal (3.8), Cape Verde, Kenya and Tanzania (3.7 each). 

Let’s recall that the CPIA is a tool that allows the World Bank, through the IDA, to increase the amount of concessional loans it grants. It is also a great tool to develop public policies.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

Togo’s minister of trade and private sector promotion, Bernadette Essossimna Legzim-Balouki, recently launched in Kara (in the northern region) a project to boost cashew and shea nuts sales and make them more sustainable (PRODAK).   

Developed by the ministry of trade, the project will improve the “quality of shea and cashew nuts, and their derivatives, making the products, which have a great economic potential, more competitive and profitable in regards to exports”. The launch ceremony took place September 7, in the presence of the regional director for agriculture, who represented the minister of agriculture, husbandry and fishery.

“This ceremony marks, for the country’s various economic operators, the start of a new, huge project which aims at making cashew and shea nuts, as well as their derivatives, more competitive, by improving related processing and commercialization conditions, in the local, regional and international markets,” said Ouro-Koura Agadazi, minister of agriculture.

The project, let it be emphasized, falls under the national development plan’s second axis. The latter aims to create in the country, agricultural, manufacturing and mining processing poles.

About 120 people, operating in the cashew and shea sectors, partners and actors of both private and public sectors were present at the ceremony.

Séna Akoda

On Sept 10, six African countries, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Mali, Niger and Togo, officially launched a global initiative to raise funds, under the International Solar Alliance.

The initiative which is steered by the presidents of the mentioned nations falls under the Affordable Finance at Scale program. The latter’s purpose is to boost investments in solar energy.

According to the official statement disclosing the news, the program aligns with priorities set during the last New Delhi Summit. It was finalized during a meeting held in Lomé, on August 23 and 24, between the president’s advisors.

Commenting on the project, Togo’s president, Faure Gnassingbé, said : “Through this initiative, African nations wish to get engaged in the solar revolution, both in Africa and the World.”

For his part, Mali’s leader, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, added that the initiative will help “lift legal, regulatory and institutional roadblocks preventing massive investments and innovative financing solutions.” 

Last is Benin’s president, Patrice Talon who said : “This initiative will help implement more projects, faster, at a lower cost, and in a way that better fit our needs and interests.”

Nations involved will meet at the end of September for a second work session.

Let’s recall that since 2013, ECOWAS member-States have had their own clean energy development strategy.

The International Solar Alliance was established by India and France during the COP21. It aims to gather all 121 countries of the intertropical zone, leveraging their great solar potential to impact the sector, significantly. 

Octave A. Bruce

The young Togolese Bemah Gado, head of Green Industry Plast Togo, is ranked among the 35 most influential young people in the Francophone world in 2018, a report from Francophone 3535 revealed.

The plastic waste recycling promoter is the only one selected within “Environment” category. Like the 34 other young people aged 18-35 from various nationalities, he will receive his award in Abidjan during a meeting from 09 to 11 November 2018.

The “Prix Jeunesse Francophone 3535” makes it possible to bring together young innovators selected among the most inspiring and influential ones to participate in all activities initiated by Francophone 3535.

Target categories include agriculture and agri-business; arts, culture and fashion; blog, digital influence and media innovation; business leader; education; entrepreneurship; environment; film performance; music; internet personality, radio and media personality; civil society advocacy.

This year, in addition to the 35 prizes, there will be special prizes called “Elan pour la Jeunesse” granted to Francophones of all ages whose actions benefit young Francophones.

Séna Akoda

In a statement published on its website, UNDP’s representation in Togo informs that the deadline for submission of application to the “J’NOV pour les ODD” competition has been extended by one week.

Initially set to September 10, 2018, this deadline is now extended to September 17, 2018, the institution informs.

 “J’NOV pour les ODD”, jointly launched by the UNDP and Togo’s youth ministry, is a competition aimed at young Togolese aged 16-35. They will have to devise innovative solutions that will contribute to communities’ sustainable development.

At the end of this first edition, the ten best projects (5 devised by women and 5 by men), will be granted up to CFA5 million each.

Applicants can check the requirements on www.tg.undp.org or on www.devbase.gouv.tg. Application forms should be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to UNDP’s office.

Togo aims to diversify its gas supply and reduce its dependence on onshore pipelines. In that regard, with Equatorial Guinea, it is exploring the possibility to build liquefied natural gas storage and regasification facilities. It is also considering the possibility to conclude a sale and purchase agreement for an LNG terminal.

According to Marc Dedèriwè Ably-Bidamon (photo), the energy and mines minister, this project falls within the framework of the government’s ambition to have sufficient gas to satisfy its population’s need. During Equatorial Guinea’s LNG installations, the minister estimated that the implementation of such project would be a considerable asset.

In line with the government’s ambition, a framework agreement was signed in April 2018 in Lomé by Marc Dedèriwè Ably-Bidamon and his Equatorial Guinean peer Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima for LNG supply.

“It is fundamental for African countries to monetize their gas and for energy users to benefit from this cheaper and cleaner resource produced locally. Equatorial Guinea is committed to helping its neighbors find win-win solutions. We expect a strong partnership with Togo”, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima said at the time.

Séna Akoda

With seven other laureates of the 2018 Pitch Agrihack Talent, Togolese Dona Etchri who developed E-agribusiness, won €15,000 (about CFA10 million) each. The awarded laureates were picked out of 26 finalists.  

Launched by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) on the sidelines of the 8th Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) in Kigali, Rwanda, the contest aims to contribute to “the transformation of agricultural sector and boost youth employment. Also, its vision is to help the best startups participating to provide efficient services to hundred thousands of farmers and various actors of the agricultural sector across countries of the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific region”.

Dona Etchri took part in the contest, under the advanced solutions category for Africa. “Challengers were really tough. The competition was fierce but by God’s grace, I was selected among the 8 winners. Under the contest, four laureates were selected from the advanced solutions and beginner solutions categories. I belonged to the advanced solutions for Africa category”, he said.   

Besides the financial support, the young Togolese will among others, have the chance to do some networking through CTA’s network. Indeed, there are “some incubators associated with that network that will help the youth better adapt their business and meet potential investors”, Etchri said. 

Séna Akoda